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.

 It will compare your search terms with the museum object names of chairs, flint tools, quilts, butterflies and other pieces from the collections. The system will return any item that has your search term anywhere in its object name.

• As you can see from the examples above, museum object names are not always predictable. You may have to try several different search terms to find what you want.
• Natural History object names include both the scientific name and the common name to facilitate searching.
• Articles and other common parts of speech (a, and, of, the, for, etc.) are not necessary for a successful search.
• Remember that your search terms could be anywhere within the object name or other related fields. Often, these terms will not be readily apparent in the brief view of a record. You may need to click on a record to see where the system found your search term(s).
• 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.