Online Searching

Nash Library offers several different online search tools, which can all be found in a menu the top of every library screen. On the desktop site, they are in a ribbon across the top; on the mobile version, they are in a dropdown menu.

LEO Search

LEO is like a search engine for Nash Library and other academic sources. It searches through the library catalog, most (but not all) of the library’s databases, and a very long list of books and other materials, including open-access scholarly collections from around the world. It includes items that we do not have at the library but that we can get through interlibrary loan. There are checkboxes on the results screen with a variety of options to narrow your results. To use LEO Search, click the link in the menu at the top of every library screen.

Use LEO Search to:

• Find a variety of items in multiple formats.
• Access subscription or paid access items for free.

Articles Search box (LEO for ARTICLES ONLY)

We have built a search box on the library home page which searches in LEO for ONLY academic articles. It will not find popular articles, multimedia items, books from the catalog, or other sorts of items.

Use the Articles Search box to:

• Search through databases simultaneously for ONLY academic articles.

Catalog Search

The library catalog includes the print books and audiovisual materials at Nash Library, many of our ebooks (with links to them), and general descriptions of some archival materials. The catalog description of each item includes where it is located in Nash Library.

Use the Catalog to:

• Find a print book, LP, CD, or DVD at Nash Library.
• Find an ebook and access it online.
• Find archival materials related to USAO’s history.

Databases

This is an alphabetical list of databases, ebook collections, and other online resources (such as Naxos Music Library). Some individual newspaper and magazine subscriptions and online reference sources are also included here.

Databases are collections of different sources; most focus on journal articles, but they also may include newspaper articles, ebooks, photographs, music, or art. After selecting a database, enter your search terms in its search box, and the database will show you the matching results. Some sources are in the database or linked from the database itself, while others you may request through interlibrary loan. Most databases focus on a particular subject or format. Searching in a database with the same focus as your research topic can give you more specific results than LEO Search (which searches many databases on many topics).

Use Databases & Guides to:

• Find a specific database, ebook collection, or other online resource.
• Access subscription or paid access items for free.

Journals

This is a search tool for all the journals to which we subscribe. It also includes many ebook titles. Use the search box to search by title, or click on one of the topics listed below to see all the journals in that topic area. In the results list, there are links to each journal. For many journals, there are built-in search boxes you can use to search within them.

Use Journals to:

• Find a specific journal and link to it online.
• Find all the journals and many of the ebooks on a certain subject.

Guides

This a list of research guides; we call them LEO Guides. Some are for general subject areas, while others are for specific classes. Each guide includes relevant databases, journal titles, call numbers, and catalog searching suggestions. Many also include free online sources related to the topic.

Use Guides to:

• Get started on research in your subject area.
• Get started on research for a specific class.
• Find free online sources you can use to study your topic even after you graduate.
• Access online resources recommended by your professor to supplement your classroom work.

WorldCat

This is a catalog shared by thousands of libraries around the world. You can use it to find books, audiovisual materials, journals, and other sources and then request them through Interlibrary Loan. We then send a request to other libraries that have the items, and, if they have the items available for lending, they will send them to us. Articles or other scannable materials often come within a day or two. Books and other physical materials that have to be mailed can take 2 weeks or longer, so it is best to make your requests well in advance of your assignment's due date. There is also a free version of Worldcat available; it is more user-friendly but has fewer catalog details and advanced searching options.

Use WorldCat to:

• Find materials at other libraries.