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How to Search

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How to search

Primo Smart Search is a discovery tool that searches across the library's physical and digital collections to bring results for books, articles, films, and more into one place. 

 

Search Options: 

  • Library Search = Smart Search homepage - great starting place for a general search
  • Advanced Search = Click "Advanced Search" on the Library Search page next to the main search box. Make your search more specific by adding multiple search terms, limiting by language, date, book, article, and more.  
  • Database Search = Find databases by keyword or category 
  • Journal Search  = Find specific journals by title or browse by journal category
  • Course Reserves = Books and materials individual course instructors have placed on academic reserve
  • Browse Search = Browse the physical book collection virtually author, title, series, or call number

My Account:

  • Login to Primo Smart Search with your WCC Net ID and Password.
  • Click on your name in the upper-right hand corner.
  • Click "Library Card" to view and renew check-outs. 
  • Click on "My Favorites" to view specific books and articles you have pinned to save for later. Pin items by clicking the pushpin icon next to any item in a search results list.

How to find a book

How to find a book:

1. Enter your search terms into the search box. 2. Select "Library Catalog" from the drop down menu and click search.

3. In the "Tweak Your Results" column on the results page, check the boxes next to "held by library" under availability and "books" under resource type.

4. From the results list, click on the title of the book you would like to find.

5. Note the call number of the book to find it on the shelf. Make sure to note the location and availability.

How to find peer-reviewed scholarly articles

How to find a peer-reviewed scholarly article:

1. Enter your Search terms into the search box. 2. Select Articles from the drop down menu and click search.

3. In the Tweak Your Results column, check the box next to Peer Reviewed and click apply filters.

4. Click on the title of the article you would like to read.

Click on any database under full text availability list to access the full text article.

How to find films or other specific types of sources

How to find films or other specific types of sources:

screenshot of resource type list on a smart search results page.

  • Limit results by article, book, film, etc. on your search results page by using the options under "Resource Type" in the "Tweak your results" column. 
  • Click "Newspapers search" to limit results to newspaper articles.