Subject Guides: Theatre

Searching the Online Catalog - Search Tips

Subject versus Keyword: What is the Difference?

• Subject Headings: specific terms used in a database (catalog) record, known as "controlled vocabulary."
  • Subject terms start broad and become more specific.
  • [Art England] or [Music 16th Century]
  • Different subject areas (theatre/music/art) use somewhat different types of subject headings.
• Keyword: Any word anywhere within a catalog entry. Useful for narrowing or broadening a search, but can bring "false hits."
• Subject Keyword: Searches for keywords within the subject headings only. This is a useful and little known tip for finding relevant subject headings and reducing "false hits." Use the "Guided Keyword" search option in the PowerCATalog to use this option.

To Find Words: Think Synonyms!

• Costume/Dress/Fashion/Clothing/Apparel/Garment
• Drama/Theatre/Theater/Play (Never search for theatre without trying theater!)
• New York/New York City/New York NY
• England/Great Britain/Europe/British Isles

When you find a relevant book or article:

• Look at the subject headings assigned to it and click on those to maybe find more items.
• Look at the book or video on the shelf. Other items nearby may also be relevant. Browsing is highly underrated!
• Look at terminology in the title, subtitle, table of contents, or summary if available. Use those words as keywords.