Subject headings allow you to search for resources on a particular author or topic and are often more productive than keyword searches.
Keyword searches work best if you have multiple concepts or topics and need only a few books.
For a comprehensive subject search, search with subject headings as well as keywords.
Searching Omni
Start with a keyword search, but expect to revise it.
Keyword Searching TIPS
Search Technique |
What It Does |
quotation marks |
Searches for exact phrase |
Truncation * |
Searches for all forms of a word |
Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) |
Lets you broaden or narrow your search |
For example, do a simple search: "black power" AND "united states"
When searching OMNI for books, use the facets located on the search results screen, to limit your search results to books & ebooks.
When you find relevant results, note the subject headings assigned. Refining your search using the same subject heading terminology may yield more precise results.
Church Missionary Society
East India Company
France History Revolution 1789-1799
September 11 Terrorist Attacks 2001
South African War 1899-1902 (try keyword “boer war” to get correct subject heading)
World War 1939-1945
Canada History
France History
Ontario History
Canada History 19th century
France History Louis XVI 1774 1793
Ontario history 1791-1841
France History Revolution 1789-1799 Art and the revolution
United States history Civil war 1861-1865 Campaigns
History, Ancient
History, Modern
Middle Ages
Reformation
Renaissance
Sixteenth Century
Europe Civilization
France Social conditions 18th century
Germany Economic conditions 1918-1945
Great Britain Colonies India
Great Britain Politics and government 1603-1714
Great Britain Social life and customs 17th century
TIP: if you find a record in Omni for a relevant book, check the subjects assigned to it to find the headings that best match your topic.
Detailed information about how to search Omni is available in the Omni Search Tips guide.