Search Help

Keyword (default) search:

Keyword searches look for all the terms, anywhere in a record, and may return unexpected results.

• Enter a word or multiple words in the search box to the left of the search icon. Use only the main terms of your query - words such as: the, and, is, was, an are ignored.
• The more words entered in the search box, the fewer results will be returned.
• Use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard symbol to broaden a search by including words that begin with the same letters.  Eg. danc* will return dance, dances, dancer, dancers, dancing, danced.
• Use the pull-down menu on the left (Author, Title, etc.) to limit the search to a particular type of information.
• Once a search has been performed, results may be further refined by using the filters shown in the left-hand column.

Advanced search:
The advanced search form allows filtering by item type, date, language, format, location, etc., the sorting of results, and the use of Boolean operators.

• Use any combination of search fields and filters, none are mandatory, as long as at least one field or filter is used.
• Once a search has been performed, results may be further refined by using the filters shown in the left-hand column.
  

Authority search:
 Authority files link information together despite variations in spelling, nicknames, abbreviations, etc., and also disambiguate between similar terms.

Note:

• A few catalogue records have links to digital contents, online publications, etc. but generally, this is a catalogue of physical items in the library, or in remote storage.
• Items in storage will need to be requested from a member of staff.
• Items in offsite storage must be requested at least a week in advance: email library@efdss.org or phone: +44 (0)20 7485 2206 ext. 233
• For information on the scope and content of the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library see History and collections.