phone 864-231-2050
FAX 864-231-2191
Email: library@andersonuniversity.edu

USING THE PAC (PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOG)

WHAT IS A “PAC”?

A “PAC” is simply a database containing the library’s collection of books and audiovisuals. Note that AU’s PAC currently does not contain periodicals, periodical articles, or full text databases.

HOW CAN YOU ACCESS THE LIBRARY’S PAC?

There are several computers in the library dedicated to its PAC. Also you can access the PAC from any computer connected to the internet by going to the University’s website at http://www.andersonuniversity.edu, and by clicking on "Library" at the top of each page..

MAIN SCREEN BUTTONS

About the Library – Contains Guide to the Library (same as handout)

Patron Review Record – Allows you to see which books you have out and when they are due, and whether or not you owe fines.

E-Mail the Library – Lets you e-mail the library.

Online Help – Tells you how to use the PAC. You can click on Online Help from any screen.

TYPES OF SEARCHING

Type your search in the Search Window and click on the Search Button.

Word Search – Your basic search. Searches Author, Title, Subject and Note Fields

Example: If you type “Shakespeare” it will find books by “Shakespeare”, books about “Shakespeare”, and books with “Shakespeare” in the title.

Example: If you type “Venetian Blinds” it will find not only books about “Venetian Blinds”, but also books about “Blind Venetians”.

Alternate Searches – Begin With, Contain, Closely Match the Word(s), Stem From, and Sounds Like

Limiting – By Date, Language, Format, Place, Collection

Combination Searches – Up to 3 categories in combination

Boolean Searches (and, or, not) – (William Shakespeare) and (Julius Caesar)

CHECKING THE PATRON RECORD

This feature allows they user to check the status of Holds, Fines, Checkouts, etc.

PRACTICE EXERCISES

SAMPLE SEARCH 1 – Basic Search

At the Main Screen type in the phrase College Students and click on the Search Button.

How many hits do you get?.___ (Found at top left of screen.)

Scroll down the screen and examine your results. Notice that some citations were retrieved because they include the phrase College Students in the Title and some were retrieved because they include the phrase College Students in the Subject. (NOTE: And if there had been an Author named “John or Mary College Student”, your search would have found that too.)

Now click on the Subject Citation for College Students – Conduct of life. What is the call number of the fourth book? ___________________________ (Hint: It starts with LC indicating that it is shelved in the L’s, the Education Section.) Is it available? _____ Note: When books are checked out, the computer will note the date due. It also notes overdue book and missing books.

SAMPLE SEARCH 2 – Using “AND” to find LESS

Begin your search at the PAC by clicking on the Combination Button at the bottom of the screen. Notice there are three lines in which you may enter data. You can change the Search Term for each line to form any combination of Title, Author, and/or Subject Searches.

Type History in the first line, change Term 1 to Subject, and then click on the Search Button. How many hits do you get? ____

You can you limit your search to a more useful number by adding another search term.

This time type Ireland in the second line, change Term 2 to Subject, and click on the Search Button.

How many hits do you get this time? ____

Let’s limit the number of hits one more time by adding a third search term. This time type Art in the third line, change Term 3 to Subject, and click on the Search Button.

Now how many hits do you get?_____

SAMPLE SEARCH 3 – Using “OR” to fine MORE

This time you are going to expand your search instead of limiting it.

Again start at the Combination Search Screen – the one with three lines. If you aren’t already there, click on the Combination Button.

Type Dangerous Animals in the first line, change Term 1 to Subject, and then click on the Search Button. How many hits do you get? ____

You can you expand your search to a more useful number by adding another search term and changing from and to or under the first line.

This time type Lions in the second line, change Term 2 to Subject, change from and to or under the first line, and click on the Search Button.

How many hits do you get this time? ____

Let’s increase the number of hits one more time by adding a third search term. This time type Tigers in the third line, change Term 3 to Subject, change from and to or under the second line and click on the Search Button.

Now how many hits do you get?_____

Now you are ready to find a book. Search the PAC for a book on the topic of your choice and then retrieve it and take it to the front desk for checkout.