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Columbus in Historic Photographs Search Tips
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What am I searching?
The Columbus in Photographs database contains pictures from the Columbus
Circulating Visuals Collection in the Biography, History, and Travel
Division at Main Library. The images depict the history of Columbus
in a variety of ways.
Refining Your Search:
The Columbus in Photographs Database search option allows for Boolean
and wildcard searching. You may search by name, address,
neighborhood, occupation, ethnicity or all combined. Entering more
than one word without a Boolean operator will result in an 'AND'
search.
Boolean Searches: Using AND, OR, and NOT will allow you to find more specific information.
AND Searches for photographs that reference both words. For example: Ohio and Theatre.
OR Searches for name that reference either word. For example: Pugh or Library.
NOT Searches for occupation that do not reference the second word. For example: Artist not Architect.
Please note: This Columbus in Photographs Database does not allow for phrase searching.
The search term 'elijah pierce minister' will be searched as 'elijah' AND 'pierce' AND 'minister'.
The Boolean operators are added automatically.
Using Wildcards: If you are not sure of the exact spelling of a word, or you are looking for root words, wildcard operators are useful.
* The asterisk is a substitute for any number of characters. For example, a name search for 'robert*' will find roberts, robertson, etc.
Browsing: If you are not sure what to search, use the browse options. You can browse by subject and building type to find
photographs in the Columbus in Photographs Database.
What if I get too many results?
- Try combining search terms with 'and.' Using 'and' will result only in results where both search terms are found.
- Try using 'not'. This will help eliminate certain keywords from your search results.
Limit Search by Year:
To limit your search by year, enter a year in both the 'before' and/or 'after' boxes. Years must be numeric and entered in the form of yyyy (i.e. 1987).
To find photographs...
- On a specific year: enter the same year in the 'after' and 'before' boxes (i.e. after is 1960 and before is 1960).
- After a specific year: enter a year in the 'after' box and leave the 'before' box blank (i.e. after is 1960 and before is blank).
- Before a specific year: leave the 'after' box blank and enter a year in the 'before' box (i.e. after is blank and before is 1960).
- Between two years: enter a start year in the 'after' box and an end year in the 'before' box (i.e. after is 1960 and before is 1972).
What if I get too few results?
- Check your spelling.
- Did you use 'and' to combine search terms? Try using 'or' instead.
- Did you use a plural search term? Try using the singular term instead.
- Try browsing, instead of searching.
Do you still have questions?
Ask a librarian! Call the Biography, History, and Travel Division at 614-645-2ASK(2275),
or stop by an information desk today and a librarian will be happy to assist!
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