El Paso Resources and Service Learning Agencies: Subject

A subject search is different from a keyword search.

In a keyword search you can enter any words in the search box and it will look through all of the books trying to find these words anywhere in the catalog.

In a subject search, however, you only put the main idea of your topic in the search box.  The computer looks at what subjects have been assigned to each book/video to try and match the topic you put in the search box.

For El Paso, the main idea that you will put in the search box is El Paso or something related like Borderlands or Juarez.

Example: El Paso

When the computer retrieves a listing of books under your subject, it will break the subject down into sub-categories such as:

• El Paso Academic Achievement Texas Statistics
• El Paso Administrative Agencies Texas Northeast Directories
• El Paso Adobe Churches Texas
• El Paso Architecture Texas
• El Paso Ghosts Texas

You then scroll through the sub-categories and look at the subjects that are good for information on El Paso.

Just click on a subject to see a listing of books.

To search for books and videos using subjects:

1. Go to the Library Catalog.
2. Click on Subject
3. Enter the main idea of your topic in the search box. (Example: El Paso) Or the main idea with a sub-heading as found in the Subject Suggestions box on this page. (Example: El Paso Ghost)
4. The catalog will look at the subjects that have been assigned to all of the books/videos to find matches for your topic.
5. A listing of subjects matching your topic will be listed.
6. Look through the subjects to find those that are related to El Paso.
7. Click on the subject and a listing of books on that subject will be retrieved.
8. Click on the title of the book you would like to see.

St. Clements Episcopal Church Corner of Campbell and Montana (Began services in this building in 1908)

 (El Paso Public Library: Otis A. Aultman photo collection A5212)

Don't put an entire sentence in the search box!

Don't put keywords with the word AND in between.  That only works for keyword searches.

Subject Searches only use very specific words that have been assigned by librarians.

Look at the Subject Suggestions below.

 Ask for Help if you have problems!

For topics on El Paso, try the following subject searches:

• El Paso
• El Paso History
• El Paso Mexican
• El Paso Discrimination