WRD098 Amy Warren

The search tool on CCC Library's homepage that searches (nearly) everything available in CCC Library. 

Why would you use the library catalog?

If you're striking out in the databases, perhaps you need to widen your lens. If you're at the start of research, perhaps you want a more comprehensive view of what's available. If you're not sure what subjects your topic fits in, the catalog can help you discover more about your topic. 

• Pros: You get a wide view of what may be available on your topic. You can use limiters to narrow your search here. It's a good place to hone your keywords.
• Cons: Because you're searching everything at once, you are going to get a large number of results. This means you'll spend more time refining and narrowing to get relevant results on your topic.

Note: You can change the search scope to include CCC + Summit + Articles, CCC + Summit, CCC Library, or Course Reserves.

How to search everything

This search tool is a free, credible, library alternative to Google. Find almost everything CCC Library has to offer to you - items in CCC Library, Summit Libraries, and most article databases. Then refine your search results to identify the best resources.

1. Enter your search terms.
   
2. Select Search.
3. Select Sign in and log in using your myClackamas email and password.
   
4. Refine your results by Availability:
   
   • Peer-reviewed - online articles published in peer-reviewed journals
   • Available at CCC - limit to print books in our collection
   • CCC Online Resources - resources you can access online
5. Refine your results by Resource Type:
   
   • Types of resources include newspaper articles, magazine articles, peer-reviewed journal articles, print books, eBooks, streaming videos, book reviews, audio files, DVDs, reference entries (dictionaries and encyclopedias), and more.
   • Think about what type of resource your instructor expects you to use on your assignment. Limit your results to just those acceptable types. 
6. Access the full text of each resource.
   
7. Select the title of a resource to learn more about it.
   
   • The resource's record appears, which tells you more about the item and how to access the full text. See an example.

Contact a CCC librarian if you have any questions!