Did You Know?

Seward Memorial Library Catalog with Advanced Search Options

Master the Seward Memorial Library Catalog Like a Pro!

Did you know that finding your next great read is easier than ever? Seward Memorial Library lets you explore everything the library has to offer right from your computer or smartphone.

Whether you’re hunting down a specific bestseller or just browsing, here is how you can use the online catalog to find exactly what you need in seconds!

The Quick Look-Up: Simple & "Google-Style"

If you already know what you are looking for, the main search bar at the top of the homepage is your quickest option.

The "Find" Bar: It works just like Google! You don’t have to worry about capitalization or perfect word order. Just type in your keywords and click Go.

Target Your Fields: Right next to the "Find" box, use the Fields to Search drop-down menu to instantly narrow your search to Title Starts With, Title Phrase, Author, or Subject.

Pro-Tip: Looking for an exact phrase? Put quotation marks around your words (e.g., "lord of the rings") to filter out unrelated results!

Level Up with Advanced Search Filters

Want to dig deeper? Click on "More Search Options" or "Refine Search" on the catalog homepage to expand our catalog's robust Advanced Search interface. You can combine up to three different search fields using conjunctions (AND, OR, AND NOT) to pinpoint specific items.

Here are some of the powerful filters you can use to slice and dice your search:

By Medium & Downloadables: Filter your results to show only physical Books, CDs, or DVDs, or narrow it down to digital formats like Downloadable eBooks or Audiobooks available through Libby.

By Shelf Location: Know exactly where you want to browse in the building? You can filter items by their physical location in the library, such as the Fireplace Room, Bestsellers, New Fiction, 14-Day Movies, or the Heritage Room.

By Reading Level & Age: Perfect for parents, students, and educators! You can filter items by Reader Age, or input a specific minimum and maximum range for Accelerated Reader™ (AR) Reading Levels/Points and Lexile® Measures.

Did You Know? You Can Filter the "Library of Things"!

Seward Memorial Library is home to much more than just books! In the Advanced Search filters, check out the Secondary Material Type or Medium drop-down menus. Here, you can filter your search to look up unique gear from the Library of Things (LoT), including:

• Board Games & Outdoor Games

• Cake Pans

• Musical Instruments

• Fitness Equipment & Hobbies

Bonus: Explore "What's Hot"

Not sure what you're in the mood for? Scroll down the homepage to find the What’s Hot section. With a single click, you can view the library's Most Popular items, What’s New, or curated local booklists like the Golden Sower Nominees, All Seward Reads Together, or the library's annual Book Review Bingo tracks!