Search Features and Tips

Discover advanced functions and tips for using the Library catalogue – helping you find resources for your study or research.

Browsing by call number

UTS Library uses the Dewey Decimal classification system to assign call numbers to Library items based on subject area. Each call number indicates where the item is located on the Library shelves. (Click to enlarge images).

Book locations by level and Dewey classification

Items stored in the Library Retrieval System (LRS) have call numbers assigned to them and are accessed by request.

Call number ranges can also be browsed, returning results from a certain subject area. Select Browse under the More (ellipses) menu from the catalogue. (Click to enlarge images).

Browse by author, title or call number range

When browsing items on the Library shelves by call number, remember that some call numbers might be located in the Large size books collection on level 9. These books are larger than typical ones and are housed on bigger shelves to accommodate their size.

Find the location of books on the Library shelves

Select the Map it button on any item held on the Library’s shelves and view a map showing the specific set of shelves where it should be located. (Click to enlarge images).

Map it button located on a item in the catalogue

Filtering searches in the Library catalogue

Entering a phrase into the search bar can sometimes produce thousands of results, especially if broad search phrases are used. Filtering searches will help narrow down results and target certain kinds of resources.

Filter a search from the Library homepage by selecting the type of item you are searching for i.e., Articles or Databases.

Filter by Articles, Databases, Journals or Digital Collections from the search bar

Alternatively, filter search results using the left-hand menu panel filter options.

Filter search results by Availability, Resource Type, Subject, Publication Date and Language from the left-hand menu

Filter search results further by personalising what order results are shown based on discipline. Select Personalize underneath the search bar and select the relevant disciplines to target results from - this can be toggled on and off every search.

Toggle the Personalize button to show specific discipline results

Select discipline types to appear in a search

Save searches in the Library catalogue

Quickly search a previously used search phrase and turn on alerts when a new item is listed under the saved phrase. Select Save query (requires log in) at the top of the search results to save a search phrase.

Save query and turn on notifications for new results for a search

Access saved searches

Access saved searches with a shortcut from the homepage. Navigate to My Library, then select either:

The shortcut icon next to your User Name, or
User Name, and scroll down to Saved Items in the menu

Select Saved Items from the drop-down menu under your User Name

From here, navigate to the Saved Searches tab and select the desired search.

Remove a saved search and change alert settings from here. Saved Records (see section below) and Search History are also accessible from this location.

Save items in the catalogue

Keep track of items, or records, in the catalogue and quickly return to them later by selecting the pin icon next to an entry. Any saved items will then appear as a list under Saved Records.

Get notified of new publications

Set up email notifications or RSS feed alerts for Saved Searches and get notified when new content related to the search is published.

Select Turn on notifications for this query when adding a specific search entry to Saved Searches and enter your email address to receive email alerts.

Enter your email address under Notification settings

For browsers enabled with an RSS Reader, subscribe and monitor search feeds by selecting the RSS icon in the Saved Searches list.

Discover similar resources with recommendations

The Library catalogue features a recommendation function to help you discover related resources for physical books in the Library catalogue or journal articles.

Recommendations for physical books will automatically appear on the catalogue entry when selected from the search results.

Recommendations will appear under the catalogue entry

Recommendations for related journal articles are featured to the right of the page under Related reading.

Recommendations for journals appear under the right-hand Related reading menu

One-click access to scholarly articles across the web

LibKey adds one-click access to full text articles from the Library catalogue, the Library’s databases, and Google Scholar. LibKey works automatically – sign-in to the UTS Library website and direct-access links will be added automatically across web searches.

Add the browser extension for one-click access to sources across the internet. Select University of Technology Sydney in the setup for access. Learn more about using LibKey browser extension.

Select University of Technology when downloading the LibKey browser extension

Expand your search to other libraries

UTS staff and HDR, postgraduate and honours students can expand searches to include results from partnering libraries and request to loan a resource.

Once signed in, select expand your search at the top of the search results.

Browse and collect your favourite journals

Keep up to date with key articles from your area of study with the help of BrowZine.

Select View Journal Contents on journal entries in the Library catalogue to access further articles from that journal and other related journals through BrowZine.

Alternatively, access BrowZine directly to browse journals and access full-text articles subscribed to by UTS Library.

Once in BrowZine, create a personal bookshelf of journals, bookmark articles to read later and set alerts to stay up to date with new article releases.

Select View Journal Contents on the journal entry to view related journals

Support

For assistance with finding and accessing resources, contact the Library or chat to us for one-on-one help when you need it.