rev. 8/99

Deirdre Lashgari

Using computers in the Cal Poly computer labs (e.g., under the commuter cafeteria or in the CLA Bldg (98-C5-12,13,14) (initial steps may differ from off-campus computers):

Steps
- from the Launcher window, click on Netscape
- on Cal Poly homepage, under "Academics" click on "University Library"
- under University Library homepage: click on "Online Catalog and Databases"
- then click on "Online Catalog and Databases" again
- when screen asks "What kind of terminal are you using?"
choose "V" [VT100] and hit Return (or Enter)
confirm "Y" [for yes] and hit Return
You'll now see a menu of Cal Poly's library services:
- choose "F" [connect to other libraries and databases]
- choose 1 [databases]
*Here, don't be misled: the most useful route to WorldCat is through FirstSearch (not OCLC WorldCat) -- so choose 4
"Welcome" screen: hit Return
Topic menu: hit 6 [general] and Return
Database menu: hit 1 [WorldCat] and Return
WorldCat "coverage" screen: hit Return

Now you're in--

*Tip: When you're inside a WorldCat search, be careful to use "F" or "B" to go forward or backwards in the list of records (or otherwise as directed on the screen). Don't hit "Return" or you'll be returned to the starting menu. If this happens, don't just start over again (and again, and again, as I did for a long time). Instead, just hit "Return" a second time and it should take you back where you were.

To end your session:
- BYE (to disconnect from the WorldCat database)
- R (return to previous screen)
- R (return to previous screen)
- X (disconnect from library system)
- File (menu at the top of the screen) > Quit (to close Netscape)

Sample subject search -- for a book on Sufi poetry which I urgently need but have forgotten the title, author, or publisher of:

"Search Word(s) or Action": su:sufi poetry

Here, I get 647 records, a bit much; I decide to limit the search by language.
- I hit "L" +Return -then 3 [language] +Return -then 2 [English] +Return
"Search again with these limits?"
- I hit "Y" [yes]

This time, I get 170 records, easily skimmable by title. The book I'm looking for turns out to be record #97: The Drunken Universe.

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