Along with the redesigned GRU Libraries website, users may have noticed that the Library Catalog has also undergone some changes. Rather than the classic GIL interface, the Library Catalog now defaults to GIL-Find. In addition to an updated look, GIL-Find adds several useful functions including:
- Automatically searching for variations on the terms entered
- Easily narrow search results by location, format and other criteria
- Add commentary and tag records with keywords
- Text message call numbers and location information to yourself or a friend
- Link out to Amazon, WorldCat, and Google Books for previews and reviews
As you begin familiarizing yourself with this new interface, here are 5 tips to use GIL-Find more effectively:
- Narrow your search results by campus: Books can be checked out from either campus using your JAG card but certain electronic resources – such as eBooks – may only be available to one campus. Narrowing your search by campus also increases your chances of finding results relevant to your program or field of study. Searching the term “heart” on the Health Sciences Campus will most likely result in resources dealing with cardiology, for example; while searching the same term on the Summerville campus may include books of poetry, fiction and social science.
- Know your locations: The “Narrow Search” menu allows you to filter your searches by location, but when there are several locations in your home library, how do you select the right one? In a library “stacks” or “books” generally refer to the general book shelves, while more descriptive terms usually indicate a specific location. For example, in Greenblatt Library locations tagged with “core” will normally include the most current texts; while materials tagged with “historical” will include materials of historical value. GIL-Find can remember your preferred locations and other filters by checking the “Retain my current filters” box below the search bar.
- Suggested topics: Be sure to view the “Suggested Topics” at the top of your search results list. These suggestions will help narrow broader topics to eliminate irrelevant results. The number in parentheses tells you how many results fall into these subcategories. You can add as many of these suggested topics as you like, or remove them under the “Narrow Search” heading.
- Borrow from other libraries: GIL-Find makes using GIL-Express that much easier by bypassing the need to run a separate search within the Universal Catalog. If you find a book that is not currently available, simply click “Check the GIL-Find Universal Catalog” to the right of the holdings information for that book. The listing for that item in the Universal Catalog will be displayed and will include holdings information for any libraries in the state that have a copy. If you are logged into your library account, you can simply select “Place GIL-Express Request” under the Holdings tab to have a copy routed to your home library. This option appears on many books within the Universal Catalog.
- Your library account: Your library account can be accessed from the home page of GIL-Find or from the “My Account” link just below the page header. Within your account you can view or renew the material you have checked out, check the status of your GIL-Express requests, view your favorites list, or check for fines. Log in by providing your university, Pulse number (for Health Science Campus users), PIN, and last name. If you do not know your PIN, then fill in the other fields and click “Login” to have your PIN sent to your email address.
Further assistance can be obtained during normal library hours at 706-721-3441 or via email at libref@gru.edu.
Please visit the “What’s New?” blog on the Greenblatt Library homepage for updates on changes or additions to the collection and to read the monthly resource highlights throughout 2014
