Omni includes content from the various research databases to which Queen's University Library subscribes but not everything is included. If you are looking for information on a very specific topic, or a topic that is subject specific, it is recommended that you search databases that specialize in that subject area for more thorough results.
A link to database search is available from the library homepage or consult the relevant library research guide to determine the recommended databases in your discipline.
Accessible from the Queen's Library homepage, Omni is Queen's Library's academic search tool that enables you to search for books, journals, articles, videos and much more, all from one interface.
Omni provides you with three different content collections to search:
*If you discover a book at one of our partner university libraries, you can request it directly through Omni.
In the right hand corner of Omni, you will see the option to sign in. Signing into Omni will help optimize your search, and you will have access to special features, such as saving your favourite results. You can also check loans and requests, renew materials, access full text, view search history and create alerts.
Signing into Omni also provides you with additional options for accessing the material you need - requesting a scan of a chapter and curbside pick-up are two options.
Basic Searching
The default search in Omni is basic search. Enter one or more keywords into the Omni search box, choose the scope you wish to search (please note, if you are starting your search from the library homepage, the scope is automatically set to search Queen's + Omni Libraries (this can be adjusted once you've executed a search), then click the search button.
Basic search supports the use of Boolean operators: AND, OR or NOT, and they must be entered in uppercase (e.g. activism OR protests).
To search for a specific phrase, type quotation marks around the phrase, otherwise AND is assumed between each word. (example: "global warming").
Once you have your initial search results, you can fine-tune them by using the filters on the left side of the screen.
Advanced Searching
Use the advanced search option for more precise searching. Using the drop-down options within the Advanced Search screen you can limit your search to specific fields and/or a combination of fields (Author, Title, Subject, Call number). You can also specify that your search words must be contained in the search field ("contains", "starts with" or "is (exact)."
Specific dates and languages can be selected. Resource type will limit your search to a specific format or material type, such as book or ebooks.
Apply filters to fine-tune your search results. Filters are located on the left hand side of the Omni search page, after you have performed a search.
To select a filter, move your mouse to the left of the filter you wish to select and a check box will appear. You can then select it (or deselect it by moving your mouse to the right hand side of the filter). After selecting a filter, be sure to click the green "Apply Filters" button to activate the filter.
If you are looking for a particular journal, magazine or newspaper, choose the "Journal Search" option either on the library homepage or within Omni:
In the relevant record in your search results, click on the title of the journal. From there you can access the full text (if the journal is online) and also search inside for articles within the journal.
For a much more comprehensive look at Omni, please consult the library's Omni Search Tips guide.