2. If you know part of the title, author, or subject heading, use the Select Search Type pull down menu to select Title Keyword, Author Keyword, or Subject Keyword.

3. If you know exactly how a title, subject or call number starts, or if you know the exact name of the author, use Title begins with..., Subject begins with..., Call Number begins with..., or Author (last name first).

4. If you want to review previous searches that you have done during this session, Click Current Searches on the second blue bar. Select the search you want to return to and click View to display results.

Advanced Search

Use the Advanced Search to perform more complex searches, such as searching multiple fields and limiting searches.

1. Use the drop down menus to select fields to search. You will notice that you have more options to combine terms and search different fields than in the Basic Search.

2. Put double quotes (") around search terms if you want to search them as a phrase. Example: "east of eden"

3. Search multiple fields simultaneously using two or more search boxes, and combine by using and, or, or not from the drop down menus. (See Figure 2).

4. If desired, limit your search by language, format, year, collection, or library by using the options at the bottom of the search screen. (See Figure 3).

Display Search Results

1. The catalog automatically displays results by year from newest to oldest. Click on Author heading to display results alphabetically by author's last name. Click on Title heading to display results alphabetically by title.

2. To display additional information about an item, click on the title of the item.

3. The Library (Owned/Out) column indicates which library holds the item, how many copies the library holds, and whether any copies are currently available. For example:

This display indicates that the item is in the Gustavus library and there is one copy available (1 copy available and 0 copies checked out). If the item was checked out, the display would be:

Save or Email Results

1. In the Results list, select the item(s) to save or email by checking the box next to the item.

2. Click on Save/Mail at the top of the Results list

3. Follow the instructions at the top of the page.

Search Other Libraries

1. On any search screen, go to the pull down menu under Library to Search located under the search box in either the Basic or Advanced Searches.

2. Set the search options to All MnPALS Libraries (See Figure 5).

Interlibrary Loan

1. If you find a book you would like to request from another library, go into the item record by clicking the title in the Results List. Click the ILL Request button located on the yellow bar.

2. Log into MnPALS using your the User ID/Barcode (14-digit barcode on your college ID) and Verification (your last name). Choose Gustavus as your library branch.

3. Once you have logged in, you will be taken back to the item record. Click ILL Request again. You will be taken to the ILL request form. Fill out the appropriate information, including a date after which you no longer need the item. You must indicate agreement with the copyright statement, then click go.

4. Though there are spaces to request a photocopy of a section of the book, that is up to the loaning library. Most libraries prefer to simply send the entire book.

5. You are not restricted to requesting books found in MnPALS. You may also request books through the MnLINK system or by filling out an Interlibrary Loan request.

Check Your Borrowing Record and Renew Items

1. Choose Your Borrowing Record from the top blue bar in MnPALS.

2. Enter your User ID/Barcode (14-digit barcode on your college ID) and Password (your last name).

3. To display the items you have checked out and their due dates, click on Loans.

4. You may also renew items through this screen.

Last updated January 12, 2006