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General Help for the NLS Online Catalog

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Questions

  1. I am so confused I don't know where to begin
  2. How can I get the full text of the title I found?
  3. Can I request or borrow these titles over the web?
  4. How do I limit a search to non fiction and/or adult books?
  5. How do I retrieve all titles in a particular language?
  6. How do I retrieve bilingual works?
  1. I am so confused I don't know where to begin.

    This is a natural reaction.

    If you are using assistive technology:

    If you are not using assistive technology, read the Voyager Basic Search help page. To get started, learn the rules for the "keyword" search.

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  2. How do I see the full text of the title I found?

    Most books in the catalog are not available over the web. However some Braille books are available as digital braille files that can be downloaded from the catalog.

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  3. Can I request or borrow titles over the web?

    At this time, it is not possible to order books from the NLS online catalog. To order books via the Internet, you should check with the regional library that sends you books. Many of the libraries do have ordering options, either online or by e-mail, and many others are planning to develop such services in the near future. Even if they do not offer an electronic ordering option at present, it will be helpful for them to know that you are interested.

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  4. How do I limit a search to just non-fiction and/or adult books?

    For NLS national program titles only (whose book numbers begin with RC or BR) use one of the following descriptors:

    ANF for adult nonfiction; AFI for adult fiction, JNF for juvenile nonfiction, and FIC for juvenile fiction (this descriptor will work for most collections as well as NLS national titles)

    Add other search criteria using boolean operators and select command keyword as the type of search

    For other collections use command keyword and, in addition to the author, title, etc. you are seeking, add: not (skey fiction or skey juvenile). This will eliminate most records for juvenile or fictional works.

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  5. How do I retrieve all titles in a particular language?

    To retrieve all titles in particular language, use command keyword and type k520 "spanish [or french, polish, etc.] language". Terms enclosed in quotation marks are not case sensitive. K520 is the index code for the annotation field. Most NLS and locally produced books in foreign languages use the phrase Spanish [or French, Polish, etc.] language in the annotation. To avoid any false results resulting from the coincidental use of the phrase in another context use the Set Limit button and set the language limit to the language in question.

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  6. How do I retrieve bilingual works?

    Use command keyword and type k546 bilingual. Limit your results to NLS and Network books for most reliable results. To retrieve particular language combinations, enter both languages. For example, k546 "english and spanish".

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