Film & Media Studies Research Guide

Library Search enables you to find library books and and videos, journals, databases, archival collections and other resources that you can access at Emory. The main search box works by listing a maximum number of results, which you can refine and filter to find what you need.

Use these basic techniques below to find the results that work best for you. A more detailed Library Search User Guide is also available.

1. Define your search type.

You can focus your search for items based on general keywords, the author/creator, the title, or standardized subject headings.

Keyword searches usually pull up thousands of results, and not all of them may be relevant for your research. This is because the search pulls up all the results for ANY of the words. In this case it is searching for African OR Americans OR television.

If you get too many results and have difficulty narrowing them down,

• Try switching to another method such as Title or Subjects.
• Set up the search to require ALL of your search terms by connecting them with AND: African AND Americans AND Television. This will reduce the number of results that aren't relevant, but you may exclude some possibly relevant results in the process.
• Use quotes to search for a specific phrase such as "Hip hop films".

Try searching different ways to find what produces the best results for your needs.

2. Sort your results.

Sort by author, title, year or relevance to make it easier to find what you need on the list. Relevance ranking is the default results display option.

3. Limit your search with facets.

Use the facets on the left to filter down to the results that work best for you. You can apply multiple filter options to your search to display only items that fit within your preferred parameters.

4. Use the Advanced Search function.

The advanced search page allows for more controlled and precise searching. This is the best method to use if you already have a good idea what you are looking for.

Try using the Search Tips on the right side of the main Advanced Search page.

If a book or video that you need is checked out by another user, don't despair! You can place a recall request through the library catalog, Library Search.

1. Make sure that you are logged in to Library Search using the Login button in the upper right hand corner.
2. Find the the item that you need and click on the Locate/Request This Item button in the item's catalog record.
3. Fill out the necessary information in the request form and submit.

The recall period is 10 days. If you need the book sooner than that, don't panic! Ask me or another reference librarian at the Library Service Desk (online or in-person) for help with other options.

• Contact Reference at the Library Service Desk (online or in-person at the Library Service Desk), or contact the appropriate Subject Librarian for assistance.

• If you are an Emory faculty member or student, we may be able to purchase the book or video for you. Contact the appropriate Subject Librarian for assistance or use our online purchase request form.

• Qualified Emory borrowers may be able to obtain the item through Interlibrary Loan. Try checking in OCLC WorldCat first to see if other libraries have it.

• The film you're looking for may not be on video at all due to market constraints, licensing issues, or availability of suitable film elements. Contact the Film and Media Studies Librarian for further advice.