When you access the online catalog, you will have several search options. If you want to find works by a particular person, perform an author search. If you want to find works about a particular person, perform a subject search. The Basic Search tab allows you to select a search type from the Find Results In field. After selecting the type of search, enter your term into the Find box and click Search.

If you want to locate subject-related dictionaries and encyclopedias, you can do a subject search for words or phrases such as social history, political science, chemistry, business, or education, and browse the list. Look for dictionaries or encyclopedias as a subheading under your main heading.

Subject searches can be tricky, because you have to know the exact Library of Congress Subject Heading. To find the correct word or phrase used by the Library of Congress search by subject heading under the "Guided Keyword."tab.

Online Catalog Interpreting Catalog Results