Getting Started with MetaLib

Accessing MetaLib

1. Use Internet Explorer 6.0 or Netscape 7.0 for best results.
2. Click on the MetaLib link from the Databases page (right), the A-Z Site Index or navigation bar (show below).

Almost every page on the CSU Library Web site contains a link to MetaLib.

Logging In

Note: The Login Feature is currently not working. Everyone must login as Guest. No off-campus access.

Selecting Resources

1. Before you can search MetaLib, you must choose some resources to search. There are three options for choosing resources, all on the far left side of the page. Pick the one that works best for you:

a) Pick a Category
Use the drop-down "Pick a Category" menu to choose a subject and press Go.

OR

b) Find a Database
Search for a database by name (such as PsycINFO or ERIC) or keyword and press Go. Broad keywords (like engineering or philosophy) work best.

OR

c) A-Z List
Click on the A-Z List button to browse an alphabetical list of all resources.

Need Help with Symbols?

If you need help with the different symbols next to the databases, check the Page Guide on the right side of the page.

Searching MetaLib

2. Enter your keywords and press the Search button.

Advanced Searchers:

• Field Searching: Limit your search to a specific field like Year or Title. To search for multiple years, use OR like this: 2000 OR 2001 OR 2002
  
  
• Truncation: Use a question mark (?) for truncation. For example: librar? will find libraries, library, librarian.
  
  
• Boolean: Use AND/OR/NOT to combine terms. For example: corn OR maize

Viewing Search Results

The page will refresh several times during the search process.

1. Click on the More button or the blue Result List button to view the citations.

You do not need to wait for all databases to finish searching before you start viewing the results.

2. Click on the tabs to view records from different resources.

3. Click on the More button to see additional information, including an abstract, subject headings, and in some cases, the full text of the article.

4. Click on the FindIt (SFX) button to view all the options for obtaining that particular article, including full text in other databases (if available), and interlibrary loan. [More about FindIt (SFX).]

Merging Search Results

If you have 150 records TOTAL for all the resources you've searched, you can merge all the records and remove any duplicates.

1. Click on the Merge button to remove duplicates.

A new folder will be created with the merged results. Click on the More button to view merged records.

Saving Records

Saving (One Record)

1. When viewing a single record, click on the Download button.

2. Select the Record Format from the drop-down menu.

Use Citation manager to download records into EndNote or another bibliographic manager program. Otherwise, choose Standard format.

Saving (Multiple Records)

1. When viewing the list of results, check the records you wish to save. Click on Download Records.

2. Select the Record Format from the drop-down menu.

Use Citation manager to download records into EndNote or another bibliographic manager program. Otherwise, choose Standard format.

Emailing Records

2. Fill in the Subject and Email Address, then click on the Submit button.
If you are a CSU user and have logged into your account, your email address will already be filled in.

1. When reviewing the search results, check the records you wish to email. Click on the Email Records button.

2. Fill in the Subject and Email Address, then click on the Submit button.
If you are a CSU user and have logged into your account, your email address will already be filled in.