FAQ - IUCAT (Music Library)

IUCAT: FROM OLD TO NEW

Cook Music Library Brief Guides, No. 23

In January 2001, the IU Libraries implemented a new Web-based catalog (SIRSI Unicorn) to replace the old IUCAT (NOTIS, implemented in 1990).  This handout is to guide your transition from the old catalog to the new.

Search Methods

The old IUCAT allowed you to search by author (a=), title (t=), subject heading (s=), keyword (k=), and call number (cl= or co=).  The following are equivalents to those methods of searching in the new catalog.

Author Searching

1^st Method:

! Click on Keyword.

! Type one ore more words from the author’s name (in any order) in the search box.

! Click on Author.

2^nd Method:

! Click on Advanced.

! Type one or more words from the author’s name (in any order) in the Author box.

! Set any limits you need.

! Click on Search.

If you are not sure of the spelling of the author’s name, try a Browse search:

! Click on Browse.

! Type in what you believe to be the author’s name (in the order last-name, first-name).

! Click on Author.

You will see a series of headings and cross-references in alphabetical order.  Note that, because of the current limitations of the system, the cross-references work for recordings but not for scores.

! Click on the appropriate heading.

! If you don’t see the right heading, use the Previous and Next buttons to go backwards and forwards in the list.

Note that, because of the current limitations of the system, it is not possible to get a complete list of an author or composer’s works in alphabetical order by uniform title.

Title Searching

1^st Method:

! Click on Keyword.

! Type one or more words (in any order) from the title, periodical title, or series in the search box.

! Set any limits you need.

! Click on Title or Periodical Title or Series.

2^nd Method:

! Click on Advanced.

! Type words (in any order) from the title in the Title box.

! Or, if you are searching for a periodical or series, use the pull-down menu on the title box to choose Periodical title or Series.

! Set any limits you need.

! Click on Search.

Subject Searching

1^st Method:

! Click on Keyword.

! Type words (in any order) from the subject heading in the search box.

! Click on Subject or Medical Subject.

2^nd Method:

! Click on Advanced.

! Click on the pull-down menu on any of the three search boxes and click on Subject.

! Type words (in any order) from the subject heading.

! Set any limits you need.

! Click on Search.

If you are not sure of the subject heading, try a Browse search:

! Click on Browse.

! Type in what you believe to be the subject heading.

! Click on Subject.

You will see a long series of headings and cross-references in alphabetical order.  Note that, because of the current limitations of the system, the cross-references work for recordings but not for scores.

! Click on the appropriate heading.

! If you don’t see the right heading, use the Previous and Next buttons to go backwards and forwards in the list.

Keyword Searching

1^st Method:

! Click on Keyword.

!  Type in the search box the same kind of search you would have done in the old IUCAT, including Boolean operators (and, not, or), truncation ($), and nesting if you like.

! Click on Keywords Anywhere.

! After you see the search results, you may set limits.

2^nd Method:

! Click on Advanced.

! Choose the relevant search boxes (keywords anywhere, author, title, periodical title, series, subject, medical subject) using the drop-down menus as necessary.

! Type in some relevant words in your chosen boxes.

! Set any limits you need.

! Click on Search.

At present, the “format” limit does not distinguish between scores and sound recordings.  Therefore, you will still have to include “score,” “sound,” “compact,” etc. in the search box.

Call Number Searching

! Click on Call Number.

! Type a number in the search box.

! Choose the type of call number:

            Library of Congress (the type of call number we use for books and scores)

            As Is: for the type of call number we use for recordings (De Lerma)

! Set any limits you need.

! Click on Submit.

Levels of Display

The old IUCAT had two levels of display for each bibliographic record: brief and long.

The new catalog has three levels: brief, long, and complete.

Brief: This is the default setting.  As before, this gives you the most basic bibliographic information including the call number.  Use this for books as well as scores with a small amount of bibliographic information.

Long: This gives you the full bibliographic record.  Use this for scores and recordings with a lot of bibliographic information.

Complete (MARC record without tags).  This is largely for staff use.  The MARC record (machine-readable cataloging) is used by catalogers; its numbered tags have here been replaced by labels.

To change the level of display:

! Click on Change Display, then on the appropriate level.

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