Research Guides: Tutorials A-Z: Search using CCC Library tools

Using CCC Library tools

To access relevant information, students should be able to:

Know when is it better to search in the library using basic and advanced search strategies.

Format	Title
	Create better searches with AND, OR, & NOT
	Top 3 search tips Basic search strategies Advanced search strategies Search String Builder

Tutorial	Outcomes	Additional Information
Create better searches with AND, OR, and NOT (4m28s)	Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to build effective search strings	URL: https://youtu.be/gEtJ427C3cM?si=2a1MVm1kpUSx5uGA Last updated Nov. 2018

Top 3 search tips
Top 3 search tips and strategies to use in CCC Library tools.
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/research-help/searching
Basic search strategies
Basic search strategies include keywords, quotation marks, and filters.
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/research-help/basic
Advanced search strategies
Advanced search strategies include controlled vocabulary and Boolean operators.
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/research-help/advanced
Search String Builder
A tool designed to create a correctly-formatted search string using Boolean operators.
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/searchstringbuilder

Resources for using the CCC Library Catalog include:

Format	Title
	Searching in the Catalog
	CCC Library Catalog
	Library tool: CCC Library Catalog: Search strategy overview Request items using Summit and Interlibrary Loan Special Collections user guides: Leveled Readers Young Adult (YA) fiction and non-fiction Tough Topics

Tutorial	Outcomes	Additional Information
Searching in the Catalog (8m32s)	Learn how to keyword search in the library catalog. Use different techniques to refine results in the library catalog. Introduces saving items and iterative searching.	URL: https://youtu.be/SYgXqcCupT8?list=PLiUBVVM0qG0ytlWechrowrXktojQPB7pY Last updated May 2024

Tutorial	Outcomes	Additional Information
CCC Library Catalog (15 minutes to complete)	Understand when and how to search the library catalog (also called Primo) Practice iterative searching in the library catalog Adjust keywords and use filters to focus search results	URL: https://clackamas.libwizard.com/f/library-catalog-tutorial Content updated June 2025

CCC Library Catalog: Search strategy overview
Recommendations for when to search in a library catalog. Use CCC Library's catalog to find and refine your search results, and identify the best resources. Learn to read call numbers.
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/research-help/searchingcatalog
Request items using Summit and Interlibrary Loan
Learn about finding and requesting items not available at CCC Library, for free!
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/about/summit

Leveled Readers
Leveled Readers are written at less-demanding language levels that increase in difficulty the higher the level. The content of these books is geared toward adult readers.
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/esol/leveledreaders
Recommended reading: Young Adult (YA) fiction and non-fiction
Many of CCC Library's books are for learning and research, but we also have books that are fun to read and escape into!
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/lexile
Tough Topics
A curated collection of high quality, up-to-date information on topics that may be challenging to ask about.
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/tough-topics

Resources for using academic databases include:

Format	Title
	Academic Search Complete - Filters update link Academic Search Complete - Getting full text update link Academic Search Complete - Cite and share articles update link
	Searching in Academic Search Complete (EBSCO) Searching in Opposing Viewpoints (Gale)
	Search strategy overview: Library databases A-Z Databases Database user guides: Academic Search Complete (EBSCO) Chronicle of Higher Education CINAHL Google Scholar New York Times PubMed

Tutorial	Outcomes	Additional Information
Academic Search Complete - Filters (3m12s)	Apply filters (full text, date, source, subject, and more) to help identify relevant and credible resources in an EBSCO database (new UI).	URL: https://youtu.be/xd7F7oMRNWU Closed captioning and transcript available Content updated April 2025
Academic Search Complete - Getting full text (2m03s)	Access free full text or use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) in an EBSCO database (new UI).	URL: https://youtu.be/gaMTz1ujhZw Closed captioning and transcript available Content updated April 2025
Academic Search Complete - Cite and share articles (1m39s)	Use built-in tools to cite, share, and download articles in an EBSCO database (new UI).	URL: https://youtu.be/d_8wzMgQ9t4 Closed captioning and transcript available Content updated April 2025

Tutorial	Outcomes	Additional Information
Academic Search Complete (15-20 minutes to complete)	Perform an iterative search in Academic Search Complete (EBSCO) Use filters to improve search results Access article full text Retrieve premade APA and MLA citations	URL: https://clackamas.libwizard.com/f/ASC2 Content updated June 2025
Opposing Viewpoints (10 minutes to complete)	Browse topics Perform a basic search Use database Filters and Limits to improve search results Access the free full text of articles	URL: https://clackamas.libwizard.com/f/OV Content updated March 2025

Academic databases: Search strategy overview
Recommendations for when to search in a library database. Strategies and tips to help you build searches that are more focused and relevant to your topic.
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/research-help/searchingdatabases
A-Z Databases list
Access the full list of databases available through CCC Library.
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/az.php
Get premade citations
Learn how to get premade APA and MLA citations that you can copy and paste into your References/Works Cited list.
https://libguides.clackamas.edu/citing/citations