You can use the library's primary catalog, Worldcat UMD, to find books and other types of materials. To search WorldCat UMD you can either go to the UMD Libraries’ homepage or Worldcat UMD.
To do a basic search in the catalog, enter keywords, a title, subject, call number, or an author’s name into the search box. WorldCat will give you a Google-like experience.
To view a more detailed guide about how to use WorldCat, click here.
The catalog uses the Boolean connectors "AND," "OR," and "NOT."
AND narrows your search. It is used to connect unrelated terms or concepts. All words connected by AND will be present in the records retrieved. In the catalog, using AND is optional. It is automatically placed between words entered.
Example: commerce and internet commerce internet
OR broadens your search. It is used to connect synonyms and related ideas. At least one of the words connected by OR will be present in the records retrieved.
Example: internet or online.
NOT excludes words from being present in the records retrieved.
Example: internet not email.
Parentheses are used around words connected with OR, when AND and OR are present in the same search.
Example: commerce and (internet or online).
Truncation and wildcard symbols expand a search to include variant spellings of terms.
A truncation symbol is attached to the stem of a word to produce variant endings.
Wild card symbols may be used within words to retrieve plural forms, establish word order, and determine proximity
Symbol | Example | Retrieves |
Use ? or * at the left, right, or middle of a word. Never use more than once in a text string |
furni? furni* cardio*y *pan |
furniture, furnishings cardiology, cardiopulmonary, windowpane, counterpane |
Use # to find words with alternate spellings | arch#eology | archeology, archaeology |
Use ! to find single-letter spelling variations | wom!n | woman, women |
A "subject beginning with.." or subject word(s) search locates terms that appear in the subject headings of the catalog record. The following are subject headings that may be useful in the search for music education resources: