Skip to Main Content

ENG 257: Mythological Literature (Stanbach-Loudoun)

Research tips for your final project. Guide by Eliza Selander, Reference Librarian. Direct comments to eselander@nvcc.edu.

Search the Library Catalog

Book Ideas

Library Catalog Search Tips

Search for books on your topic in the library catalog.

  • Not enough results?  Try related terms, or more general terms - e.g. instead of poodles, try dogs.
  • Too many results?  Try more specific terms - e.g. instead of computers, try social media AND privacy. Using AND, OR, quotation marks ( " " ) and an asterisk ( * )  can improve searching.
  • In your list of results, check the menu on the left for ways to limit your results, such as by resource type or campus.
  • eBooks and streaming videos are accessible through the catalog. If you see any in your search results, click the 'Full-text available at' link to open.
  • Select 'Request Item' to have books from other NOVA libraries sent to Loudoun for pick up.
  • If your book is at Loudoun be sure to write down the call number in order to locate the book on the shelf.

 Sample Searches:

Ragnarok AND Norse mythology

Use AND between two or more terms to find materials including both (or more) concepts.  Searching for Ragnarok AND Norse mythology will only include books that have both Ragnarok and Norse mythology in their contents.

 
(Loki OR god) AND Ragnarok

Use OR between similar concepts.  Searching for (Loki OR god) AND Ragnarok will find books that refer to Loki and Ragnarok, as well as god and Ragnarok.

 
"Norse mythology"

Use quotation marks ( " " ) around specific phrases such as "Norse mythology" to find more accurate results by finding results for words in that specific order.

 
myth*

Use an asterisk ( * ) to find multiple versions of one word.  Using myth* as a search term will include results that refer to myth, myths, mythical, mythology, and mythological.

eBooks