LitFinder

Finding Information

How long would it take a researcher to hunt down a full-text primary document of a play from the 16th century? What if your library only has one copy and somebody is already using it? These are research problems that LitFinder eliminates quickly. With a brand-new search interface and superior functionality, researchers can find what they're looking for in a matter of clicks.

Designed for search success, LitFinder allows as much time as possible to be spent studying its works and as little in the look-up, checkout and check-back-in process. By harnessing the power of the Internet, your library can put the literary answers patrons demand into their hands better than ever before.

Searching

Searching LitFinder's vast reserves is quick and efficient with functions designed to work the way researchers think. There are three searches to choose from:

 

Basic
Located on LitFinder's home page, the Basic Search allows users to enter a keyword or phrase and search across one or more genres (poems, speeches, plays, essays and stories) with a click or two. Refining matching results is easy. Select from the category lists that appear with each results list. Choices are narrowed, eliminating even more guesswork.

 

Advanced
The Advanced Search takes advantage of the knowledge the user has on the topic. Users can search by keyword, author name, pseudonym, birth and death years, title of work, publication date, genre, first line, last line, timeline, gender, religion and more. Boolean search functionality also exists to combine or eliminate any of the search limiters. Users can also narrow results by implementing the topic searches presented with each set of results as in the Basic Search.

Browse
The Browse Search functions in the same manner as a subject search. Users can peruse predetermined category lists and click on a desired topic and keep narrowing their quest by selecting search limiters such as Nationality or Timeline. Each selection returns a matching results list. Access to the desired author information or writing is made with a click on the corresponding link.

Search Results

Successful searches in LitFinder return a list of results that includes the literary work as well as the author information. Users can view the text by clicking on the desired link. Results can also be printed and shared for further studying.