BROOKLYN COLLEGE LIBRARY

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
CUNYPLUS

Click here for instructions on linking to CUNYPLUS from a remote location.

I. BRINGING UP THE CUNYPLUS DATABASE MENU

If using the CUNYPLUS computer at the Library and CICS-MVS is on the screen when you are about to begin, press the "enter" key to bring up the main menu. If using CUNYPLUS from a remote location, after you have chosen CUNYPLUS from the VTAM menu, clear the screen with the key or combination of keys that work for your communications software and type: lnav. Then hit the "enter" key to bring up the CUNYPLUS menu.

If you are already using CUNYPLUS, to go to the CUNYPLUS menu at any point, type: start and then press the "enter " key. Note that the enter key must be pressed after each instruction to send the instruction to the system.

II. CHOOSING A CUNYPLUS DATABASE

To search for books, journal titles, videos, etc, go to the main menu.
      type: dpac.

To search for newspaper articles, go to the main menu.
      type: dnew.

To search for general periodical or magazine articles, go to the main menu.
      type: dper.

To search for journal articles in a particular subject, go to the main menu.
      type: xxxx (xxxx=four letter database code, such as arti for Art Index,
     busi for Wilson Business Abstracts, medl for the Medline Index, etc.)

III. SEARCHING OPTIONS IN CUNYPLUS DATABASES

These are the types of searches you can do in most CUNYPLUS databases.

AUTHOR
      Type: a=last name first name
   Example: a=shakespeare william


TITLE
      Type: t=title of work 
   Example: t=tempest (If the title of the work starts with
            a, an or the, omit these words.)

       
KEYWORD
      Type: k=any word or combination of words  
   Example: k=shakespeare and tempest


SUBJECT 
      Type: s=any subject heading
   Example: s=drawing--instruction                          

CALL NUMBER 
      Type: c=any call number
   Example: c=pnSS.f43

IV. INTERPRETING YOUR CUNYPLUS SEARCH RESULTS

If your author, title or subject search finds fewer than 50 titles, you will get an index screen. (Keyword and Call Number searches always result in index screens.) Otherwise you will get a guide screen.

GUIDE SCREENS divide the titles your search has found into up to 14 numbered groups. Find the group that contains what you're looking for and enter its line number. Now you are in an index.

INDEX SCREENS

An author index lists authors' names followed by numbered titles in alphabetical order, dates of publication and, in DPAC, library codes.

A title index lists titles followed by numbered authors' names, dates of publication and, in DPAC, library codes.

A keyword index lists numbered titles followed by authors' names, dates of publication and, in DPAC, library codes. The list is in order first by publication year and then by title.

A subject index lists subjects followed by numbered titles in alphabetical order, dates of publication and, in DPAC, library codes.

DPAC only: Sometimes you will look for a subject or a name that isn't used by the catalog, e.g., death penalty. When this happens, you will see the message "*search under: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT." Enter the line number of this message to search the correct form of the subject or name. At other times you may see the message *search also under: followed by subjects related to the one you searched. To search one of these, enter the line number of the new subject.

After finding records, type the line number of interest and write down the location and call number. If you are in any of the periodical or newspaper databases, type hol to confirm whether this library has that journal and to find holding information. The holding information is for all CUNY Libraries so you will have to scroll down the list (by continuing to type for(ward)) until you reach the Brooklyn College record. (If you get to a holdings listing for City College, this means that Brooklyn does not hold the journal.)

V. OTHER USEFUL COMMANDS

VI. TROUBLE-SHOOTING CUNYPLUS

When using CUNYPLUS at the Library, if you cannot enter any command, the computer beeps, and there is X<*> in the lower left-hand corner, the computer is jammed. To unjam it, look first for a reset key either in the lower left-hand corner of the keyboard or in the top row of keys and press the reset key. Then press the Tab(<-- -->) key. If there is no reset key press the Ctrl key and "R" key together again followed by the Tab key. If it still does not work, turn the terminal off, and turn it on.

For technical problems with using CUNYPLUS on a remote computer, call the CUNYPLUS help desk at (212) 541-0981 / 82. For additional problems with searching CUNYPLUS, call the Brooklyn College Library Reference Desk at (718) 951-5628.

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February 26, 1997