This guide covers the following information:

* Searching HOMER - searching by field, doing complex searches, call number browsing
* Viewing HOMER records
* Printing/Downloading/Emailing results
* Renewing checked-out materials
* Checking on library record status

SEARCHING HOMER

BASIC SEARCHING:

1. To start searching HOMER, type library.usc.edu in your web browser. At the next screen, click on the word HOMER

2. Enter the words you want to search into the box

3. Select from the following round buttons above the search box:

a. keyword - searches for the terms in any order

b. browse - returns an alphabetical listing beginning with the first word in the search, in the author, title, subject, etc., fields

c. exact - searches for the terms in the exact order entered

4. If needed, select a library from the box to the right, or leave the selection at all libraries

5 . Click on one of the light blue search field buttons below the search box, such as search everything, or author, etc.:

a. search everything - searches all fields in the catalog records (e.g., author, title, subject headings, etc.) for the terms you selected

b. The other buttons, such as author, narrow the search to just those fields within the catalog

COMPLEX SEARCHING:

The Complex Search squre button in the upper right corner of the search screen allows you to do more sophisticated searching by combining fields (e.g., searching author and title fields together), limiting the search by language, format (e.g., book, video), and other limits.

BROWSING CALL NUMBERS:

The Call No. Browse square button in the upper right corner of the search screen allows you to browse the collection in a particular library by call number. After clicking on that button, type the call number (or the beginning of one), and select a library (the default library is the Accounting Library).

VIEWING RESULTS

1. If only one item has been located, a brief record will display with library location, call number, and status (checked out, in the library, etc.). If the item is in the library, go to the appropriate library to locate it.

2. If more than one item has been located, you will see a list of results

3. Click on the View button on the left side of each item to see its catalog record

4. To view additional information in the record (such as notes, information on the edition, or occasional tables of contents), click on View Options button above the record and change the record from brief to full display. Click on the OK button to see the full record

5. To go back to the list of records, click on Go Back button above the record

6. To do a new search, click on New Search button

PRINTING/DOWNLOADING/E-MAILING HOMER RECORDS

1. Records can be marked for printing/downloading/e-mailing by clicking on the square on the left side of the record

2. When ready to print, click on the Print Capture button on the top of the record screen

3. At the Print/Capture screen:

To print to a printer, click on Download button. At the next screen, which shows all the records you marked, click on File at the very top left corner of the computer screen, and select thePrint command from the pull-down menu

b. To download to a disk, click on Download button. At the next screen, which shows all the records you marked, click on File at the very top left corner of the computer screen, and select the Save as command from the pull-down menu. A download window will appear. Name the file you are downloading, and select the disk from the menu in the download window. Click on the Save button in the download window

c. To e-mail records, type an e-mail address next to Email to:, and click on the Email button

4. After obtaining your results, you need to go to the libraries which hold your materials to check them out or to photocopy them

Note: Doheny Memorial Library is closed for a seismic retrofit/historic preservation project from December 1999 to Spring 2001. During that time, books, journals, and documents from that library may be paged by holders of the USC library card. For information on how to do that, refer to the "Requesting Library Items from Off Campus Facilities " handout.

RENEWING CHECKED-OUT MATERIALS THROUGH HOMER

1. In HOMER, click on the dark blue User Services button
2. Click on Renew Materials
3. Enter your library barcode and PIN (if you do not know your PIN, you can call any circulation desk at any library to select a new PIN)
4. Click on List Charged Items
5. Select the books you would like to renew
6. Click on Renew Selected Items

LIBRARY RECORD STATUS

Homer, USCs online catalog, will provide you with the following information about your library account: checkouts, holds and bills.

1. In HOMER, click on the dark blue User Services button
2. Click on User Status Inquiry
3. Enter your library barcode and PIN (if you do not know your PIN, you can call any circulation desk at any library to select a new PIN)
4. Click on Display User Information
5. The screen will display the status of your account. You may click on the provided links to see the titles and due dates of materials you have charged out, as well as any bills for overdue books.

Further questions can be directed to the Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555.
RW; 10/99

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