Frequently Asked Questions
Find it! is a library tool with several functions. It allows for federated searching i.e. It allows you to search multiple databases simultaneously to find articles or images. It also allows you to search for databases by name or by subject.
Are all of the databases listed in Find it!?
No. The Library Catalog is the only comprehensive listing of all the library's resources. If you are having trouble finding a suitable resource for your needs, contact a librarian.
How do I search for Articles or images?
When you access Find it! you can either use the basic search mode to search in 4 general databases or you can select a number of subject specific databases and search them simultaneously. Use the View A-Z List of Databases link to select from all of the databases listed in Find it!. Choose a subject in the Select A Subject Area To Search section of Find it! to search from a group of pre-selected subject related databases.
What do you mean by databases? What are the 4 general databases?
A database is a collection of data in electronic form. Many databases are subject specific and some database vendors sell more than one database. For example, EBSCO is a database vendor and Cornell University Library subscribes to 20 of their databases including Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, Humanities International Complete, etc.. Three of the four general "databases" searched in the Quick Search are in fact collections of databases including a number of databases available via ProQuest, EBSCO, and Web of Science (LexisNexis Academic is the singular database).
Can I search all databases at once?
Yes. You can search all of the databases that are listed in Find it! at once by selecting the View A-Z List of Databases link on the main Find it! page.
I just want to connect to my favorite database and search it,
like I did in the old system. Can I still do that?
Yes, you can still connect to a single database and search it. You can search for your database in the Library Catalog or you can use the Find it! Quick Search (make sure to check the databases box) to find and connect to a database.
I searched Find it! and found an article citation. How can I connect to the full-text?
In the results screen, there are several links that can take you to the database record for the article. The View button may be able to link you directly to the full-text of the article. If it cannot, the Get It! Cornell button will try to connect you to the electronic version of the article, the Library Catalog record for the journal, or to Interlibrary Loan if Cornell does not have access to the journal.
How do I search for articles or images in a database that I don't see listed under Find it!?
Find it! will only search the databases listed in its A-Z list and excluding those noted as direct access only. To search a database that is not on the list or is on the list but noted as direct access only, use the Library Catalog to find and connect directly to the individual database.
Sometimes I see that a database has a large number of results, but not all of them are shown. How does Find it! decide which records to show, and how do I look at the additional results from any one database?
Find it! displays the results that each individual database has deemed the most relevant to your search. To see the additional results from a database, click the Next Set button.
Should I use Boolean operators (AND, NOT, OR)?
Because each of the databases that Find it! searches may have different rules for searching, we recommend that you refrain from using Boolean operators.
Can I mark and save records in this system?
Yes. You can check the citations that are of interest to you and then use the options at the top of the screen to print, save, export, or email the selected citations. Please note that when you do this, the databases that the article citations came from will NOT be listed.
Where do I go to search for or connect to electronic journals?
Click on the Find e-Journals tab or link at the top of Library Gateway, Catalog or Find it! pages. You can also search the Library Catalog for print versions of the journal titles.
Find e-Journals allows you to quickly search for, and link to more than 20,000 electronic journals licensed by the library.
Where can I find reference materials like dictionaries and encyclopedias?
To access dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc., go to Find it! and browse the categories in the Select a Subject Area to Search section.
How does Find it! search for aritcles? Is it reliable? Why would I use it?
When searching for articles or images, Find it! takes your search terms and enters them in an obvious search box of each individual database’s interface. Because it is an automated process, the results will be different than if you had searched each individual database yourself. Find it! is extremely helpful when starting your research, however if you encounter any problems or have suggestions for improvments let us know by using the Send us feedback link below.
Can I connect to Find it! system from off campus?
Yes. As with the existing system, members of the Cornell community will be able to connect to licensed resources from off campus. You will need to log in using CUWebLogin or SideCar once you access Find it!.
Do I need the proxy server to access Find it! from off campus?
No. Remote users will no longer need to configure their browsers for the proxy server. ENCompass will use a different authentication method that will be more convenient for users.
What browser should I use with Find it!?
Find it! should run without problem on Windows with Netscape 6.2+ and IE 5+, and on Mac OS 8.6 and 9 with Netscape 6.2+. We do not have full information on Mac OS X, Unix, or Linux, and would welcome feedback on your experiences with those platforms (click on Send us feedback in the footer of this page). Reports on Mac OS X so far indicate no problems with Netscape 7.1 or safari 1.0, and Mozilla 1.4 should also work on that platform.
Versions 4.x and earlier of Netscape and Internet Explorer are not supported on any platform.
IE 5.x on Mac OS 8/9 will not work when searching in either Find it!.
I have not clicked anything for awhile and I have gotten a Timeout Warning. What is this?
Catalog sessions that have had no activity for more than 20 minutes, and Find it! sessions that have had no activity for 10 minutes, are automatically disconnected. If the cache setting in your browser is set to never reload pages, you may get a "session has timed out" message sooner. To fix the problem, adjust the cache setting so that pages are checked and reloaded more often. Also clear the cache. Then, restart your browser.