How to Create Your Own “Automated Search” in Voyager

 

Briefly:

 

  1. Search the OPAC (Voyager) until you find the results you want.
  2. Copy the URL from the browser's address line and paste it into a document.
  3. Edit the URL according to the following guidelines.

 

 

Example:

 

1. Search the OPAC (Click Here).

I searched using the Advanced Search option for business in Keyword Anywhere AND

christian in the Subject.

 

2. Copy the URL.

After getting the desired results list, I copied the URL and pasted it "as is" here:

 

http://voyager.hiu.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=6&ti=1,6&SEQ=20030926163652&SAB1=business&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=christian&BOOL2=all+of+these&FLD2=Subject+%28SKEY%29&GRP2=AND+with+next+set&SAB3=&BOOL3=all+of+these&FLD3=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&PID=1395&CNT=10&SID=1

 

3. Edit the URL.

Editing Guidelines:

  1. The URL is made up of components that are separated by an ampersand (&).

 

2.      All searches must include these elements:

http://voyager.hiu.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?

DB=local&

SL=None&

CNT=10 (some number for records per page)

 

3.      automated searches should never include these elements. They should be deleted.

SEQ=

PID=

HIST=

 

Here I have moved each component to a separate line after the "&" to see them more clearly:

http://voyager.hiu.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?

SAB1=business&

BOOL1=all+of+these&

FLD1=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&

GRP1=AND+with+next+set&

SAB2=christian&

BOOL2=all+of+these&

FLD2=Subject+%28SKEY%29&

GRP2=AND+with+next+set&

SAB3=&

BOOL3=all+of+these&

FLD3=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&

PID=1418&

SEQ=20030926164305&

CNT=10&

HIST=1

 

After applying the rules, my URL looks more like this:

http://voyager.hiu.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?

DB=local&

SL=None&

SAB1=business&

BOOL1=all+of+these&

FLD1=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&

GRP1=AND+with+next+set&

SAB2=christian&

BOOL2=all+of+these&

FLD2=Subject+%28SKEY%29&

GRP2=AND+with+next+set&

SAB3=&

BOOL3=all+of+these&

FLD3=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&

CNT=10

 

Deleting the hard returns gives me a finished URL:

http://voyager.hiu.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&SL=None&SAB1=business&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=christian&BOOL2=all+of+these&FLD2=Subject+%28SKEY%29&GRP2=AND+with+next+set&SAB3=&BOOL3=all+of+these&FLD3=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&CNT=10

 

Test it.

Now open your browser. Copy this URL and paste it into the address window. Press Enter and you should get the same results as if you entered the search for business in Keyword Anywhere AND

christian in the Subject.

 

Refine it.

Note that I only have two search terms, but three sections. I can delete the section that starts SAB3 and ends with 29& just before the CNT=10. I get the same search results with this shorter URL:

 

http://voyager.hiu.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&SL=None&SAB1=business&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=christian&BOOL2=all+of+these&FLD2=Subject+%28SKEY%29&GRP2=AND+with+next+set&CNT=10

 

Modify it.

This link will only display 10 records per screen. You can change the value after CNT= to any number.

 

 

Ideas for using automated searches:

Because resources are added to and removed from the library without notice, this can be a time-saving way to keep current with library holdings.

 

·        For repetitive research in a particular area, why spend time and attention to reconstruct your favorite search every time you want to see if there's anything new on your topic in the library?

 

·        You can create an updated bibliography using the same search, but with a different results list.

 

·        Plug a automated search into an eCompanion to direct your students to resources found in the library.

 

·        You can specify a periodical title by ISBN and check to see when the latest issue is received.

 

·        Save automated searches on your desktop so you can always find them.

 

·        Send them as an attachment in an email to a friend or to yourself to access from anywhere as needed.

 

More Examples:

Christian Standard

Books by Peter Drucker

Videos on Education

Musical recordings

eBooks on Management

Bible commentaries in Spanish

Commentaries on Revelation

Motion pictures

Russian novels

Books on the Restoration Movement

 

 

See a librarian for suggestions on and assistance in constructing "the perfect search"!