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Phone: (320) 589-6175
Fax: (320) 589-6168
600 East Fourth Street
Morris, MN 56267
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UMM Home > Library Home > Research Help > Summon Overview

SUMMON Overview

Welcome to the Briggs Library Catalog. SUMMON is where you can search for items owned by Briggs Library. The system can be summarized by one word, "Power." SUMMON offers capabilities for customizing your searches with limits and manipulating results which ultimately means getting the information that you want fast. Below are highlights of the system. For detailed information consult the online help linked in the upper right-hand corner of the SUMMON homepage or ask a librarian.

Searching

The heart of the system is the search interface. There is a basic and an advanced search screen as well as a command screen that allows for greater control of search statements. The screens all use Boolean in which you compose search statements with keywords joined by the connectors "AND," "OR," "NOT."

Basic

The basic screen has two options for searching. One is to search by keyword. The other allows the user to browse the collection.

Each option has its own box for inputting terms that is clearly indicated. The basic screen has detailed instructions on which option to use for your search and how to use each. "Browse" allows scanning for works in a subject area or in the range of a call number. "Browse" is also useful if you know the beginning of a title or the beginning of the author's name. The "Keyword" search can be modified to look for keywords in the author, title, and subject field as well as general keywords. Search tips are listed at the bottom

Advanced

The advanced screen allows a user to input search terms in three boxes, and these terms can be limited to a wide range of fields that include the standard choices of author, title, and subject as well as many others. Boolean searching automatically has three boxes connected by default with the AND operator. To use the other two operators, OR and NOT, the entire search statement including these operators must be placed within a single box.

There are additional options for limiting searches below the search boxes and, further down, tips for searching in the advanced interface

Command

The command interface allows the user greater control and flexibility by allowing one to customize search statements through additional commands. Instructions for this interface as well as options for limiting the search are below the search box.

Print Reserves

Once part of the library catalog the Print Reserves is a separate module located under the SUMMON link on the library home page that allows searching by keyword or browse features. Specific print course reserve information can easily be obtained. If you know the specific course name, course number, instructor, or title simply type that information in the "Browse" search bar and select the appropriate type.

Ex. American Art to 1900 ("Course Name Begins...")

If you do not have specific information simply use the Keyword search.

Ex. art history ("Discipline Name Keywords")

Government Publications

As a designated federal depository Briggs Library receives and houses government documents. These can be accessed by clicking the link to Government Publications to the right of the screen (in each of the SUMMON interfaces). The interface will search only the government documents collection.

SUMMON Plus

The user can search both the government documents collection and the general collection at the same time by clicking the link to SUMMON Plus at the right of the screen for each interface.

Other Features

"Your Account"

This link located in the dark gold horizontal bar at the top of the SUMMON homepage leads to a password-protected record of your library transactions including items you have borrowed, recalled, and outstanding fines.

Ask a Librarian

This link in the dark gold bar of the homepage leads to an online form for submitting reference questions via email to the reference staff at the Briggs Library. Responses are often sent within a few hours and no more than two working days.

Help

This link in the dark gold bar of the homepage leads to an extensive detailed explanation of every aspect of the SUMMON system. A linked table of contents at the beginning of the file gives an overview of topics.

Other Catalogs

This link in the pale yellow horizontal bar leads to other library catalogs including those of other campuses in the U of M system, state and worldwide library networks and the Morris Public Library.

Search History

The "Search History" link in the pale yellow bar displays the user's search history and enables the combination of previous searches into new searches.