Saving Searches

You can set up and save searches and have them run automatically once a week or once a month. You can also run a saved search manually, any time. Each time a saved search is run, the search looks for results that are new since the last run. You might want to save a search even if the search produced no results, so you are notified of new materials that have arrived since the last time the search ran. Your saved searches can be viewed and edited at any time.

The results of saved searches are automatically sent by email to an address you specify. The email message includes the name and description of the search, the number of new titles found, and the call number, author, and title of each new item. You can select a link for any entry to search for the new item in the library catalog.

Note: For automatic search runs, the library limits the number of titles in saved search results. The usual limit is 500 titles.

You may have multiple saved searches scheduled to run at different frequencies. In this case, you receive an email message listing the results for the weekly searches, and a separate message listing the results for the monthly searches.

You need a library account number and password to save searches.

Important: When you save a search, the search information is associated with your library account. If you have concerns about your privacy, contact the library for specific information about the library’s privacy policies.

To set up and save a search

1. Set up and run a keyword, phrase, exact, advanced, or Boolean search. The search results appear. Even if there are no search results, each subsequent automatic search will use the criteria you entered to look for titles that are new since the search ran.

Note: When your saved search runs automatically, the results include titles from the local library catalog only, even if your original search included remote databases.

2. Select Save Search at the side of the page (computer or tablet), or below the search results (phone).
3. If the log-in page appears, type your library account barcode number or user name and password and select Log In.

Note: If this is the first time you have saved a search, a consent message may appear. Read the message, and if you want to continue, select Yes.

You are logged in to your library account, and the Save Search form appears.

4. Enter the following information for your saved search:
• Search name - Type a name to identify the search in your list of saved searches.
• Note - Type a brief phrase to help you remember details about the search (optional).

Note: The Search command line displays your search as a search command. You cannot edit this command. The number of characters in your search command is limited to 250.

• Email results to - Type the email address that should receive the results.
• Email format - HTML or plain text. Select the format you prefer for email. Your selection applies to all your saved searches.
• Email if no results - Select the box if you want to receive an email message when an automatic search returns no new results.
• Search frequency - Specifies how often the saved search is automatically run (Weekly, Monthly, or Suspend). The library schedules the automatic run. Select Suspend if you want to save the search to use later, but do not want regular results at this time. You can edit the setting to a different frequency later or run the search manually when you choose.
• Number of times to run - Type the number of times that the saved search should be run automatically. The library sets a maximum number for this setting.
5. Select Save Search. The search is saved.
6. Select Back to return to the search page.

To run a saved search manually

You can run any saved search manually, instead of waiting for the next automatic run. The manual run counts toward the total number of times the search is to be run.

1. Access your saved searches by one of the following methods:
• If you are already logged in, a brief list of your most recent saved searches appears at the side (computer or tablet) or bottom (phone) of the page. As long as you remain logged in, the list is displayed. If you logged in at this time, the Saved Searches page from your library account also appears.

Note: You can view the Saved Searches page at any time by selecting Show All in the Saved Searches list at the side of the page.

• Select Saved Searches on the My Account menu and log in. The Saved Searches page from your library account appears.
2. Run a search manually by one of these methods:
• At the side or bottom of the page, select the search you want to run.
• On the Saved Searches page of your library account, select the search you want to run, and select Search on the search form.

The search results appear.

To view and edit your saved searches

1. View the complete list of your saved searches using one of these methods:
• If you are already logged in, select Show All beneath the Saved Searches list at the side or bottom of the page.
• Select Saved Searches on the My Account menu and log in.

The Saved Searches page in your library account includes the settings you specified when you saved each search, and the current status of the search.

2. Select the name of the search in the Saved Searches list at the side or bottom of the page, or in the Saved Searches page of your library account. The search form appears.
3. Edit the fields on the Save Search form. For a description of the fields, see Set up and save a search.

Note: The Search command line displays your search as a search command. You cannot edit this command. To change the search command, set up and run a new search, then save the search (refer to Set up and save a search).

4. Select Save Search to save your changes to the search.

To delete a saved search

You can delete a saved search when it is no longer useful or when the maximum number of searches has been reached.

1. View the complete list of your saved searches using one of these methods:
   • If you are logged in, select Show All beneath the Saved Searches list at the side or bottom of the page.
   • Select Saved Searches on the My Account menu and log in.
2. Delete searches by one of these methods:
   • In the Saved Searches list at the side or bottom of the page, select the X icon by the name of the search.
   • In the Saved Searches page of your library account, select the checkboxes for the searches you want to delete, and select Delete Selected Search. To delete all searches at once, select Delete All Searches.
3. A message asks you to confirm the deletion. Select Yes to delete the search, or select No to cancel the deletion.