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Getting Started with Omni

Introduction to Omni search

Omni is simple to use, so you can get started by typing into the quick search box. This page will provide an overview of some of Omni’s more advanced search features.

First, we recommend checking out this short video entitled "How to search Omni".

Advanced Search

Use Advanced Search to conduct a more complex and precise search. 

Advanced Search in Omni is available as a button after the search bar.

In advanced search you can:

  • Search in specific fields like the Author/Creator, Call Number, or ISBN.
  • Combine search words or phrases using the AND, OR, NOT dropdown.
  • Choose the “Resource Type” and “Language” from the corresponding dropdowns.
  • Set a date range.

Modify Results

Use the Modify your results panel to tweak your search results.

Overview of Modify your results panel in Omni.

Add results beyond Guelph's collection

Toggle on Add results beyond Guelph’s collection when you want to conduct a more comprehensive search. By toggling it on, you will expand your search to include items from other libraries.

Requests for a full book from another library will be delivered physically to your preferred pickup location. Most requests will be filled in 7-10 business days.

Requests for a single chapter of a book, an article from a journal, or an excerpt of up to 10% of a work will be emailed to you usually within 1 business day.

Add results by searching in full text

Toggle on Add results by searching in full text when you want to expand the scope of Omni’s search. Omni will search your keywords within full text articles, as well as abstracts and tables of contents.  Full text searching is more robust using most subject specific databases.

Sort by

The Sort by dropdown orders the results according to your preference (relevance, date-newest, date-oldest, title, author).

Add filters

Add filters to further refine your results. These filters will change depending on your initial search results.  For example, if your search returns only resources we have in print, you will not see “Available online” under the “Availability” heading. Select your filter(s) then click APPLY FILTERS at the bottom of the filter panel.

Exclude certain filters

You can exclude certain filters from your search results. Hover over the filter and a red check box will appear. Click that check box to exclude results. In this example, click the red check box to exclude reviews from your results.

From the Refine Search panel, Resource Type options have expanded and the cursor has hovered on Articles to allow the Exlude from Search option to appear. This appears a red checkbox that has been crossed out.

Once you have applied a filter(s) you can lock it in place so it will apply if you’re doing multiple new searches. Look for the Active filters at the top of the filters panel. Hover over the active filter you want to lock and a lock icon will appear. Click on the lock.

Active filters options show you which filters have been applied. There are also buttons to "Remeber all filters" and "Reset filters".

Browse

If you’re searching for an author, you may have better luck using Browse by Author. Click Browse in the top navigation bar and enter the author's name (last name, first name).

Omni Search with the Browse button highlighted in the top menu. The Browse search has author selected from the "Browse by" dropdown menu.

Find Newspapers

Search for newspapers using the Newspapers search link in the filter panel. After entering a search term, expand the Resource Type menu and select Newspapers search.

Newspapers search button highlighted.

Journal Search

To search for journal titles select Journal Search in the top navigation banner. 

Overview of Journal Search bar in Omni with the Journal Search button highlighted in the top menu.

This search includes journals, magazines, newspapers, and other serial publications (e.g. annual reports) available at U of G (print and online) and other Omni Libraries (print).

You can also search journals by subject area using the “Journals by Category” panel on a journal search page.

Journal Search page in Omni with the Journals by category menu highlighted.
 

Search within a journal

Once you’ve found your journal, click the journal title to see the full record view.

Example search result in Omni's Journal Search with the journal title highlighted.

From the journal's full record, look for the Search inside box:

Full journal record in Omni with the Seach inside box highlighted.

Using "Virtual Browse"

When you click on a record of a physical item, you can virtually browse other items sitting next to it on the "shelf". Either scroll to the bottom of a physical item record or click Virtual Browse located in the "Skip To" menu on the left hand side.

Omni's Virtual Browse carousel is a virtual representation of a bookshelf. Results include each book's cover, title, and publishing date.

Explore the "Related Reading" feature

Use the "Related Reading" feature, located on the right side of electronic article records, to discover other similar items. "Related Reading" list is harvested from usage data from academic institutions around the world. Related items may be from different journals, publishers, and platforms.

Overview of Omni's Related Reading feature for electronic articles. Results include a brief citation and a link to access each items.

Save items

You can "pin" (save) records of interest to My Favourites as you discover them.

  1. Select Add this item (the pin icon) beside the resource you want to save.

Omni search result with the pin icon (i.e., the Add this item button) highlighted.

  1. Click Got to my favourites (the pin icon) in the top navigation bar to access My Favourites.

Omni top navigation bar with the pin icon (Go to my favourites button) highlighted.

  1. Now you can view, organize, and label your pinned items.

Overview of Omni's My Favourites function showing a couple of saved results.

Create alerts

Create an alert when you want to be informed of new items added to Omni that match your search. Omni will conduct your search automatically and email you the results once a week.

To turn on an alert:

  1. Sign in to your account in Omni.
  2. Enter your search terms and parameters.
  3. Click Save query when you are satisfied with your search terms.

Sample search using Omni's Advanced Search with Save Query highlighted

  1. A yellow banner will appear at the top of the window. Click Turn on notification for this query.

Omni search with Turn on notifications for this query highlighted above the search bar.

  1. You will be prompted to enter your email address.
  2. To manage your search queries go to My Favourites and then Saved Searches. You can turn alerts on or off at any time.

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