Visual Catalog Overview
The Visual Catalog search method provides patrons with an easy point-and-click graphical search method. From a patron’s perspective, a search is just a click on a topic button and then a related sub-topic button; this generates a list of search results. In actuality, it is a keyword search method disguised behind a graphical interface; topic buttons are connected to query buttons, which are linked to pre- defined search queries. A query button launches a search of the selected databases and returns a list of results.
These graphical buttons can also be configured to launch other software applica- tions. Launcher buttons are optional; you can add, modify, and delete them from the interface.
The simplicity of the Visual Catalog search method makes it ideal for novice researchers and those unfamiliar with computers. It should be noted that this design does not provide the type of search flexibility found in the Standard and Enhanced keyword search methods, which contributes to its ease of use.
The Visual Catalog interface is easily customized. Topics and their related search queries can be added, modified, and deleted. The number of levels before a search results list appears can be reduced or increased. Sound and visual effects can be changed and disabled. For details on these customizations and more, see “Custom- izing the Visual Catalog” on page 6-32.
Visual Catalog Search Window Features
The Search tab with the default version of the Visual Catalog interface displayed is shown in Figure 6.11.
FIGURE 6.11
Tip: Topic, query, and launcher buttons look the same. The result of selecting them is what makes them different. A topic button opens a sub-menu. A query button returns search results. A launcher button opens another application or Web page.
How to Search
This procedure assumes that the appropriate interface language (see “Selecting an Interface Language” on page 6-4) and the databases to be searched (see “Selecting a Database to Search” on page 6-4) are already selected. To conduct a Visual Cat- alog Search of the selected databases:
1. On the Search tab, click Visual. This displays a button menu that can contain any combination of topic, query, and launcher buttons. The default button menu (shown in Figure 6.11) consists of topic buttons.
2. Click a topic button. Unless extra topic levels have been added to the default interface, this opens a sub-menu of related query buttons, as shown in Figure 6.12 for the Animals topic.
FIGURE 6.12
Tip: At the sub-menu level, the selected topic is listed at the top of the tab.
Tip: Two navigation buttons function as follows:
• Back returns to the previous button menu level.
• Start Over returns to the first button menu level.
3. Click a query button. This searches the selected databases, then displays the Search Results window in the Results tab.
NOTE: The button menus shown in this procedure are based on the default buttons. Your Visual Catalog interface may have been reconfigured to add or delete menu levels, to change the topic or query buttons, or to include launcher buttons.
4. See the next section, “Working with Search Results,” for details on your options in the Results tab.
