In Reference ...

FirstSearch Enhanced

OCLC has enhanced the World Wide Web interface to its FirstSearch service to make searching in specific indexes and use of advanced searching techniques more visible and easier. The enhancements make the list of keyword indexes accessible from the Basic Search Screen. The complete list of searchable indexes, as well as sophisticated search techniques, is available from the Advanced Search Screen.

The Basic Search Screen includes a drop-down menu of keyword indexes available for the selected database. A single click, for example, reveals that WorldCat, OCLC s Online Union Catalog, has a publisher index.

The Advanced Search Screen also allows users to pick indexes, including phrase indexes, from drop-down menus, and makes it easy to use Boolean operators and to combine searches from multiple indexes. Search limits remain visible and easily accessible.

For questions or to subscribe to any reference database -- CD-ROM, online or Internet-accessible -- contact BCR s Jim Hensinger (jhensing@bcr.org) or Karen Graham (kgraham@bcr.org).