AllSearch

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What is AllSearch?

AllSearch helps you find books, articles, and information that you normally can't access with an Internet search engine like Google.

Previously, you had to figure out which eResources to use and search each of them separately. With AllSearch, you can find all of the relevant eResources with a single search.

For convenience, we've included some regular Internet search engines inside AllSearch, but you can turn them off if you don't need them.

You'll need a KFPL library card to access most of these eResources, unless you're using one of the library computers.

How to Search

1. Click a tab at the top of the screen to find:

Books - a book in our library, another library, or a bookstore.
Newspapers and Magazines - current and back issues of newspapers and popular magazines.
Research - homework help, scholarly articles, health information, and more.
Search All - all of the above, plus some Internet search engines.

2. For more information about a resource, click the "i" button next to 'Resources' under the search box.

3. If you don't want to include a particular resource, click the appropriate checkbox.

4. Type your search terms and click "Go".

Your Results

AllSearch continues searching as long as the magnifying glass icon is visible. Tip: You dont need to wait until it's done to start inspecting your results.

At the top of the screen is a list of the resources you searched and the number of hits for each.

To browse through the full list of results, scroll down.

To zero in on a particular resource, click it. You'll see the first 5-10 results for that resource.

Each result displays some basic information about the book, article, web page, etc. that's been returned. If a result looks interesting to you, simply click on it. This opens the entire document in a new window. Close this window to return to AllSearch and continue inspecting your results.

To go back, click the up-arrow next to that resource's name, or scroll all the way up.

If the first 5-10 results for a resource are not what you're looking for, click "More Results" at the bottom of that result set. This retrieves the next 5-10 results.

How to Navigate

To the left of the screen are a number of blue navigation buttons.

KFPL Home - leave AllSearch and go back to KFPL's home page.
New Session - clear your history and start again.
New Search - keep your search history and launch another search.
Forward, Back, Up - retrace the steps you've taken through session.
Search History - see below.
Help - the current document.

Search History: this screen lists the searches you've already made during your session. This is useful for avoiding duplicate work. You can relaunch your previous searches, or delete the ones that you don't need anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does AllSearch really search all of the library's subscription eResources?
A: Unfortunately not. Some eResources are only searchable from their native interface. Go here to see all the eResources available at KFPL.

Q: Why do I have to enter my library card number to use AllSearch?
A: Remote access to our subscription eResources requires verification that you're a KFPL patron. Otherwise anyone online would have access to them. To search only free resources, click here.

Q: Does AllSearch support advanced search techniques such as Boolean operators, field searching and wildcards?
A: No.

Q: What order are the results returned in?
A: It depends, but usually by relevance. Nevertheless it's worth paging through the first few sets to make sure you're not missing anything of interest.

Need more help? Ask a Librarian.