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Selecting, Ordering, and Receiving with YBP GOBI: Selectors: Searching

This LibGuide covers everything you need to know about the selection, ordering, and receiving process of the new GOBI system.

Searching for Items

Searching for items is the first step in creating any order. Below is an overview of the three primary ways of searching.
Click on any of the topics in the table of contents below to go directly to that section.

Table of Contents:
I. Quick Search
II. Standard and Advanced Search
III. Other Search Options
IV. Limiting, Filtering, and Sorting Search Results

I. Quick Search

  1. Log in to GOBI.
  2. On top of every page, you should see a search bar that looks similar to this:
  3. Using this bar is the fastest and recommended way of searching for items in GOBI. It allows for searching by Keyword, Title, ISBN, Author/Editor, and Keyword + Table of Contents.
  4. When you are ready to begin, click on the Search button.
    • GOBI can only retrieve the first 1,000 results. If your search is too broad, you will get the following message:
    • You have the option to submit a new search or view this partial result. Try narrowing down your search by using the different limiters available or by using the Standard or Advanced search features (see below for more information).

For more detailed information on how specific search functions work, please refer to the standard search online manual.

II. Standard and Advanced Search

  1. Log in to GOBI.
  2. Clicking on the Search option from the blue menu bar at the top of the page brings up the following list of choices:
  3. Click on either Standard or Advanced.
    • These searches can be quite slow to produce results. It is, therefore, recommended that you use the Quick Search described above.
    • Both search modes, Standard and Advanced, are very similar. The primary difference is that the Standard Search allows you to enter terms such as Keywords, Author's Name, and Title while the the Advanced Search only allows you to search by selecting a criteria or composing a query
    • Although queries allow you to enter keywords, it is limited to Subject Headings and Publisher. All other query options require you to choose from a preordained list.
    • The Below is a table of comparisons and differences between the two:
      Features Standard Search Advanced Search
      Search using text input
      (Keyword, Author, Publisher, etc.)      		 Yes No
      Search by criteria
      (Query by LCC, Descriptors, Headings, etc.)      		 No Yes
      Save search results directly to folder No Yes
      Filter by Binding/Format Yes Yes
      Filter eBooks Yes Yes
      Allows sorting of search results No Yes
      Filter by Content Level No Yes
      Limit results by Publication Year Yes Yes
      Set Date Range Yes Yes
      Set Price Range No Yes
      Filter by Language Yes No

  4. After you have entered a search term or selected criteria, click on the green arrow that says Search.

For more detailed information on how specific search functions work, please refer to the advanced search online manual.

III. Other Search Options

There are other searches that might be beneficial in your selection process such as Add Title by ISBN. This search mode allows you to quickly copy and paste a large list of ISBN numbers, search for them in the GOBI library, and add them to your list. For more options on this search mode, see the add title by ISBN online manual.

IV. Limiting, Filtering, and Sorting Search Results

Below is a screenshot of the GOBI search results interface with numbered labels. Each label corresponds to a description below of the feature.

Label Number Feature Name Feature Description
① Search Result The search result shows you the total amount of titles found with the parameters that you selected.
② Page Navigator Tells you the number of pages in your result and allows you to navigate forward, back, or to a specific page in the results.
③ Display Mode Allows you to view the results in single line, brief item, or full item display. The default is full item display. Changing the display mode may disable some features discussed here.
④ Expanded Limiter Group Shows you a list of limiters, grouped by category, that can be applied to the current search results. Can be collapsed by clicking on the minus sign.
⑤ Include Limiter Clicking on a limiter link will apply it to the current search results.
⑥ Exclude Limiter Clicking the red "X" will exclude the limiter from the search results.
⑦ Limiter Count The limiter count shows how many items match the limiter parameters.
⑧ More Limiters The more limiters link shows you additional limiter that may be used in the category.
⑨ Collapsed Limiter Is a hidden list of limiters, grouped by category, that can be applied to the current search results. Can be expanded and viewed by clicking on the plus sign.
⑩ Filter Control The filter control menu allows you to add and remove filters. When enabled, it will say "ON" instead of "OFF".
⑪ Limiter Control Bar Any limiters that are applied will appear in this area. They can be removed by clicking on the square with the "X" in it that is next to it.
⑫ Item Details The item details area shows you all of the standard item descriptors, including the title, author, publisher, publication year, binding, place of publication, pagination, language, list price, and subject headings.
⑬ ISBN The item details area also displays the ISBN number of the item. If you click on the ISBN, it will link you to our OPAC where you can check to see if we have a record for this item in our holdings.
⑭ Item History The item history area provides you with alternative editions of the item, library activity, and a title summary. This area also lets you know if this item is currently owned by MDC, if it has been previously ordered, and all actions performed on it by any other GOBI user at MDC. This helps you keep track of duplication.
⑮ Library Notes You have the option of adding a library note to items. Other MDC GOBI users will be able see your comments.
⑯ Sort Menu The sort menu allows you to sort the results by Author, Classification, Price, Publication Year, Quantity Sold, Relevance, Series Title, US Books, UK Books, and Title. You can choose a secondary sort and have the option of selecting ascending or descending.

Please note: In GOBI, Limiters and Filters are not the same thing. A limiter can only be applied from the left-hand limiter menu and can only be removed from the limiter bar by clicking the the "X" in the square next to it. A filter can only be applied from the filter menu and can only be removed from the filter menu. Explore both options so you can see the primary difference between them.