This search is a keyword search. Keyword searches compare a word or set of words against information in OCC database. The name of each search will tell you what types of information the search will use. For instance, a Title keyword search on "Riders" or "Sage" will bring back "Riders of the Purple Sage" as well as any other title that contain "Riders," "Sage" or both. These types of searches work best when you know partly what you want but not all, such as a few words of the title of a painting. Keyword searches are also useful when you are unsure of what OHS hold in a particular area.

 This search will compare your search terms with information in many areas throughout the records. As the name suggests, this search has the potential of being very exhaustive and possibly not very helpful. If you search on a very broad term, such as Ohio, you can expect to get many, many results and still not find what your are looking for. You should only use the Combined General Keyword Search if none of our other searches can help you.

• Notice that your search term many not appear in the brief listing of your results. This is because the General Keyword Search looks at many pieces of information, most of which are not displayed in the brief listing and some of which are not displayed to the public at all.
• Please use our other searches before using this one. In most cases, you will be more satisfied with the results of the focused search than you will with the General Keyword Search.
• If you must use this search, remember that the more specific your search term is, the better your results will be.
• Articles and other common parts of speech (a, and, of, the, for, etc.) are not necessary for a successful search.
• Keyword searches order their results by the way the system found the records. Records found first will appear first. The system will not alphabetize the results.