Discovery is the Library's one-search experience. Find articles, books, films, music and more!
Once you enter your search terms into Discovery, three search bars will appear. For the most effective searching, do not type in your research question - instead, type each of the keywords you've identified into a separate bar. See below for an example:
If you would like to add another keyword, click on the + sign to add more search bars.
Please watch the following videos to learn about combining your keywords and synonyms using boolean operators, phrase searching, and truncation.
Ask yourself: do you have any keywords that contain a phrase (ie. two or more words)? Do any of your keywords have multiple endings?
PHRASES: video games
KEYWORDS with MULTIPLE ENDINGS: sites/site, violent/violence, harmful/harm/harms/harmed, child/children
Using these techniques, it is possible to combine your initial keywords and related synonyms to create powerful searches. Here is an example of a revised search combining synonyms and using advanced search strategies including boolean operators, truncation, and phrases:
Before You Begin - A Checklist
To successfully find information you will need:
|
Strategy |
Example |
| Use "quotation marks" for exact-phrase searching |
|
| Search for keywords within specific fields - use the drop-down list beside the search box. |
|
| Use suggested topics, subjects and thesaurus terms for more refined searching | |
| Use the available limiter options (left side of results page) |
|
| Use narrower keywords |
|
| Check "Books & Media" to find just books, ebooks and media |
|
Strategy |
Example |
| Use "OR" to look for versions of the same concept (synonyms, related words) |
|
| Use * [shift+8] after a word's root to search all endings |
|
| Use broader keywords |
|
| Uncheck “CapU Library Collections and Subscriptions” in Discovery |
|
If you find an item we don't have, get it via interlibrary loan.
Many CapU Library online resources (databases, electronic books) want to authenticate you to ensure you're a CapU student before giving you access. When you try to access these resources off-campus, and occasionally when you are on campus, the CapU account login page will appear.
Just enter your CapU Network ID:
username: firstnamelastname
password: CapU password
If you are asked to log in to a page that doesn't have the CapU logo, something has gone wrong. Contact us to help sort it out.
There is no charge to bring in any article or book from outside CapU Library.
Remember to plan ahead - it can take a few days or a few weeks to get your item, depending on availability.
Did you know you have borrowing privileges at other universities?
Visit the Library Services counter to get a reciprocal borrowing card and start taking books out from UBC LIbraries, SFU Library and more!
What are Call Numbers?
Each library book has a spine label with a call number.
The call number is not just the book's "address", it also tells you what the book is about. Books about similar topics are shelved together. For example, Canadian Literature is in the PS8000 area.
Photo by Flickr User JenWaller
Take a look at the ones shelved nearby, they may cover similar topics to the book in your hand.
Most of our graphic novels are shelved in this area:
PN 6727
Use AND to combine keywords
Use OR between related terms/synonyms
Use "quotation marks" for exact-phrase searching.
Use * after a word's root to search all endings.
Yes, you can use both "quotation marks" and * together.