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Online Catalog Search Tips

The Montana Historical Society Online Catalog is available through the Research Center page of the Montana Historical Society web site. Select Online Catalogs and then the link for the Montana Historical Society Online Catalog.

  • From this initial screen users can search by general keywords, title, author, subject, series or periodical title (click the down arrow).

  • Power Search allows users to search a combination of the search options plus additional categories such as item type and publication date.

  • A call number search can be accessed through Power Search. This is helpful for browsing titles within a similar subject. This is helpful to users who like to browse stacks.

Once a search is made the number of related items with be indicated. Select a title to view:

  • Checking Keep will allow users to save records for future use.

  • Limit Search will take a user back to Power search and allow for more limiting fields to be entered within the current search.

  • Next brings up the next group of items matching the search request.

  • Kept will bring up only those items users chose to keep during a session.

  • You found titles in Categories lists other subject headings generated from the titles retrieved.

  • Full details will bring up the entire item record with the call number, number of copies, item type and shelving location.

  • Change Display provides the option changing the level of item description provided:

All:Full Marc Record
Full: Default display including Title, Author, Subject Headings, Physical Description, etc.
Brief:Title, Author, Call Number, ISBN or ISSN

Searching suggestions:

  • Author: Last name, first name

  • Double check spelling

  • When searching by subject, use plural nouns.

If no results are found, try using broader terms or use alternate terminology.

Other search options:

  • Find It Fast allows users to search by very general subject categories. These are not always applicable for our users.

  • I Need Material allows users to recommend items to add to our collection. A report is run daily which shows any user requests from this link.

  • Knowledge Portal provides access to other select library catalogs and world wide web reference resources.

Personal account options:

  • Your patron id number works as your user id number. A PIN is provided along with your patron id. This information is not necessary to search the online catalog.

  • Contact Us can only be used with a user id. Any requests or reference questions can be submitted here.

  • Complete the attached form to received your on Patron ID (Word document). If you cannot access this electronic form please let us know. We'd be happy to mail it to you.

To view responses select My Account and then Review My Account.

  • Personal account options are limited due to the fact that items in our collection do not circulate, however, in the future we will likely track titles checked out by staff on this system. When this begins you should be able to view items you have checked out through this portal.

Search other libraries:

The Montana Historical Society Library online catalog is made available through the Montana Shared Catalog. This growing consortium of libraries make their library catalogs available online through a shared catalog system. These library catalogs are also available to search through this link.

  • To search other libraries, use the drop down arrow to select an individual library or to search all libraries in the consortium.

Questions:

Jennie Stapp
Technical Services Librarian
(406) 444-4702