Beginner’s guide to finding a book in DiscoverEd

Got a book you need to find in the Library but not sure how to search for it in DiscoverEd? This beginner’s guide should help.

If searching for a known book use a combination of title and author keywords.

–> Search DiscoverEd

For example, if you were looking for this book:

A.A.M. Duncan, Scotland: the making of the kingdom (Edinburgh, 1992).

You could do a search using the keywords “duncan”, “Scotland”, “making” and “kingdom”. DiscoverEd will look for items that include all the keywords in the item record.

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Alternatively, you could use the Advanced Search option to perform a more focused search.

Your search results

Click on Find it in Library to find out number of copies, location, shelfmark and availability of book.

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If the book is in the Main Library or Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library then you can click on the Locate link to get a floor plan showing where the book should be on the shelves.

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If there is a View Online link you can click on this to get access to the e-book. For some items we will have both the print (physical) copy and the e-book.

It it says Multiple versions found, this usually means that the Library either has more than one edition of the book or the Library has both the print book and e-book. Click on the title or the View…versions tab at right-hand side.

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The Virtual Browse link allows you to do a virtual shelf browse of other books the Library holds around the shelfmark of your item. Click on a book cover to get more information.

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There is a handy short video available that shows you how to search for a book in DiscoverEd. Why not have a look?
How to find a book in DiscoverEd.

Too many results?

If you are getting a large set of search results and the book you are looking for is not immediately obvious in the search results list you can:

  • Add more keywords e.g. other author/editor names or other keywords from title.
  • Use the options (facets) on the left-hand menu next to your search results list to refine your search. There are a number of options you can choose including by resource type, library site, publication date, subject area, etc.
  • Use the Advanced Search option to perform your search instead.

Look out soon for for a beginner’s guide to searching for journal articles in DiscoverEd.

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In the meantime, if you want more help using DiscoverEd try the FAQs. Or speak to staff at a Library Helpdesk.

Caroline Stirling – Academic Support Librarian for History, Classics and Archaeology.