AUTHOR SEARCHES (a= )
Used for a composer, arranger, editor, compiler etc. of a musical composition; used for an author, editor, composer, etc. of a book; used for a performer (individual or group) represented on a sound recording or video recording.

TITLE SEARCHES (t= )
Used for DISTINCTIVE TITLES such as: "Jupiter symphony," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Don Giovanni," and "New Grove dictionary of American music."

Used for GENERIC TITLES such as "Symphony no. 2," "String quartet no. 5," "Piano sonata," and "Violin concerto in D major."

Title searches for musical compositions are difficult, and thus often require the music librarian's help. Please do not hesitate to ask for catalog assistance.

SUBJECT SEARCHES (s= )
Used for books on a particular topic [Note: the correct subject headings or topics to use in a subject search are only those listed in the set of Library of Congress subject headings], such as "Operas," "Symphonies-scores," "Concertos double bass with piano-scores and parts," etc.

KEYWORD SEARCHES (k= )
The most complex searches, but in many cases (especially for musical scores and musical sound recordings) yielding the best results. This type of search, unlike author, title and subject searches, enables you to COMBINE BITS OF INFORMATION (in any order), such as: an author - with a title - with a subject - with a format - (that is, sound recording, score, and video recordings) - with a statement as to which library (or libraries) of the several of whose holdings are represented in the online catalog might own the desired material - IN ONE SEARCH.

Examples of situations requiring keyword searches are:

- you are looking for a copy of a sound recording of the musical composition "Symphonie Fantastique" by Hector Berlioz at Brooklyn College.
- you want to locate a video recording of tap dancing anywhere in the city university library system.
- you want both a study and a performing edition of Bartok's complete string quartets at Brooklyn College.

Keyword has powerful capabilities, and you should ask for the music librarian's assistance in its use. You should avail yourself, however, of the excellent tutorial screens displayed in the online catalog.

To use the tutorial screens, type the following:

"A" [and press the SEND key]
OR
"T" [and press the SEND key]
OR
"S" [and press the SEND key]
OR
"K" [and press the SEND key]

These tutorial screens are ESSENTIAL READING FOR ALL ONLINE CATALOG USERS. In addition to the CUNY-Plus electronic tutorials, there is a 22-page booklet, a basic handbook about the online catalog, that is available in the Brooklyn College Library. It is always made available to students at the required formal bibliographic instruction session held in the library for them, usually in conjunction with the English 1 course. There are extra copies of the booklet in the music library which may be requested.

There are specific instructions for searching music materials that are discussed neither in the electronic tutorials, nor in the booklet, including the fact that there are CODES that may be used when doing keyword searches that enable the user to limit the search to a particular type of material. You may specify that the search be limited, for instance, to any of the following:

MUSIC SCORE: use the code c.rt.
OR
MUSICAL SOUND RECORDING (INCLUDES COMPACT DISC, LP and AUDIO CASSETTE FORMATS): use code j.rt.
OR
VIDEO RECORDING: use code g.rt.

The music librarian, Professor Raphael, is usually on the premises in the music library to help you with all the questions relating to the Music Library, its holdings, and its catalogs. (There is a card catalog containing thousands of entries for most of the LP collection entries not in the online catalog.)

Whenever the music librarian is unavailable, PLEASE CONSULT THE STAFF. And remember that online catalog searching requires patience, perseverance, professional assistance from a librarian - and is especially rewarding when approached with imagination and enthusiasm.