For help in searching our Library Catalogue, please see the appropriate section below.

  1. What is included in a search of the Library Catalogue?
  2. When should I use the "Quick Find"?
  3. When should I use the "Library Catalogue"?
  4. When should I use the "Article Search"?
  5. Can you give me some search tips?
  6. Why should I "Sign in"?
  7. What is my barcode number and when do I need it?
  8. What is my password and when do I need it?
  9. Which databases are included when I search in Quick Find or Article Search for full-text articles?
  10. What is "Journal Search" in the top menu?
  11. What is the Pin icon for?
  12. How do I place a hold?
  13. Where can I get more help or provide feedback?

1. What is included in a search of the Library Catalogue?

The Library Catalogue is not just a catalogue, but a discovery layer. This means that you can search not only our complete Library Catalogue to find books and government publications, but you can ALSO find full text journal articles from many of our databases ALL in one search.

2. When should I use the "Quick Find" search?

This is the broadest search, to be used when you have a general topic and are interested in finding both full-text journal articles AND books or government publications ALL at the same time, with one search.

3. When should I use the "Library Catalogue" search?

If you do NOT need journal articles, or will be searching for those separately, then use this search. This option narrows your search to books, government publications, e-books, and journal titles available in print or online through the Library.

4. When should I use the "Article Search"?

If you do NOT need books or government publications, or will be searching for those separately, then use this search. This option narrows your search to journal articles and newspaper articles available through many of the Library's electronic databases. If you are not finding good results, it may be better for you to choose an electronic database that is more specific to your topic, and search within that database instead. See the full list here, and choose your database by clicking on the title. Or email  the Reference Desk for further assistance.

5. Can you give me some search tips?

You can use quotation marks for phrase searching, and you can include the following Boolean and wildcard characters in your searches:

  • ? - enter a question mark to perform a single character wildcard search. For example, type wom?n to search for records that contain woman or women.
  • * - enter an asterisk to perform a multiple character wildcard search. For example, type cultur* to search for records that contain culture, cultural, or culturally.
  • OR - in the Basic Search, use all caps to be sure one OR the other of your search terms are found.
  • AND - in the Basic Search, if you do not use quotation marks or OR between your search terms, the system assumes you want all of your terms found together in one record, as if you used AND.

After you have done a search, you will see a list of facets (or limiters) on the right-hand side of the page.

  • To sort your search - use the "Sort by" dropdown menu
  • To narrow a search - click on one or multiple facets
  • To broaden a search if you are using Quick Find or Article Search - click on "Expand my results." Your search will now include results with no full text.

Use the Advanced Search to see more search options:

  • multiple search boxes for searching in certain fields such as Title or Author 
  •  phrase searching

6. When / Why should I "Sign in"?

You do not need to sign in to search the Library Catalogue. But signing in with your Library barcode and password will allow you to:

  • View the items you have on loan and their due dates, via "My Account"
  • Renew your items
  • Place holds on items that are signed out or that are available in the Library. You will receive an email when your item is available
  • Create lists of "Favourites" using the Pin feature

7. What is my barcode number and when do I need it?

Legislative Library clients have a library card, and on the back of that card is your barcode number. If you have lost your card, please call the Library at 306-787-1823 to find out your barcode number. You do not need that number to search our Library Catalogue. But if you want to view full-text articles, you will be asked to type in your barcode number. And if you want to sign into the Library Catalogue and view your account, renew items, and place holds, you will need to log in with your barcode number and password.

8. What is my password and when do I need it?

Legislative Library clients can request a password by stopping by the Library or by calling 306-787-1823. You can also set up your own password by clicking on "Sign in" once you are in the Catalogue. You do not need that password to search the Catalogue. But you will need that password to view your own account, and to renew items or place holds yourself.

9. Which databases are included when I search Quick Find or Article Search for full-text articles?

  • Academic OneFile Select
  • Britannica Online Academic Edition
  • Business Source Elite
  • Canadian Business & Current Affairs (CBCA)
  • CPI.Q - Canadian Periodicals (Gale OneFile)
  • CQ Researcher Online
  • desLibris/Canadian Electronic Library
  • General OneFile
  • HeinOnline Law Journal Library
  • JSTOR - Arts & Sciences Collections I, II, IV, VI, VII
  • JSTOR Books: Open Access
  • LegalTrac
  • Political Science Complete
  • Sage Journals Open Access
  • Taylor & Francis Open Access Journals

Other Legislative Library databases, not included in that Library Catalogue search, can be found on our E-Resources page and searched directly.

     Note: Our Library Catalogue vendor, ExLibris, has agreements with database providers and with publishers to obtain permission to index many publications. Not all database providers have agreements with ExLibris, so not all of our databases are included. Even when a database is included, coverage may not be 100%.

     If you have a favourite research database, or one that closely matches your topic, it is recommended that you search that database directly via the links on the E-Resources page.

10. What is "Journal Search" in the top menu?

This is a spot in the Catalogue where you can search for a specific journal title. It includes both electronic and print journals. Simply enter the journal title or ISSN in the search box. Note that this is to search for journal TITLES, not articles. 

11. What is the Pin icon for?

After you have done a search, you will see the Pin icon in your results. By clicking on the Pin in an individual record, you will save that record to your "Favourites." After you have Pinned at least one item, you can click on the main Pin in the top right corner of the Catalogue to get to the list you just created. The list is called "My Favourites." From that location, you can print, email, and export the records.

If you are signed in with your barcode and password, those Pinned records will be saved, and you can also save search queries. If you are not signed in, the records will be deleted once you close your browser.

12. How do I place a hold?

First, sign in with your barcode number and password. Use the "Library Catalogue" search, and search for your item. Go to the detailed record. Under "Locate/Request" you will see the request option. If there is no request option available, contact the Reference Desk for assistance.

13. Where can I get more help or provide feedback?

We are happy to help and to hear your feedback. Please contact us by:

 


Need help? Contact us

306-787-2276
reference@legassembly.sk.ca

Library Hours

During session:
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Monday to Friday

Out of session:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Monday to Friday