HomeSearching and Browsing

Searching and Browsing

Vermont Folklife Center Digital Collections can be searched and browsed in a variety of ways.

Searching the Database

Simple Search

The search box on upper the left side of the screen allows for keyword searching of the entire database. Simple searches will look for the entered search term or terms across all database fields. Simple searches are the least precise, and will produce the largest number of search results.

Clicking on the three dots "..." next to the Simple Search box allows for additional search options, including the use of Boolean operators, and a link to the Advanced Search page.

Advanced Search

Advanced Search is available via the navigation bar at the left of the screen. Advanced allows for more precise searching of the database. Searches can bee limited to particular database fields such as Title or Interviewee, or to particular types of materials such as a Songbook, Interview or individual Song.


Browsing the Database

The database can be browsed in several different ways: by Collection, by Item and by Subject.

Browsing by Collection

Selecting Browse Collections allows users to review a list of individual archival collections currently available online. Selecting one from the list will provide additional information about the materials and link to individual item records.

Browsing by Item

Selecting Browse Items retrieves a list of every Item record in the database--audio recordings, photographs and manuscripts.

Browsing by Subject

Selecting Browse Subjects produces a list of controlled subject terms used to describe materials in the database. Selecting a term will retrieve all Items that are described using that particular term.

We use a mix of Library of Congress Subject Headings and terms from the American Folklife Center's Ethnographic Thesaurus for subject description.