What Is MultiSearch?

MultiSearch allows you to use one search box to search multiple databases at the same time, including journal indexes, catalogs, and other resources. It aggregates search results into a standardized interface and allows you to check availability, save results to a folder, and format citations.

You can select as many as 10 databases to search simultaneously using the check boxes next to the database name on the All Databases or Subject pages. Subject pages can be a good resource to determine which databases are appropriate for research in a specific area.

If a resource is grayed out, it cannot be Multisearched, but you can still search it by clicking on the name. This will take you directly into that database with its own search interface.

MultiSearch is a great tool if you are starting to explore a topic. For more specialized searching, you may want to access a database individually by clicking on the name. This allows you to utilize advanced search features specific to that resource, including limits, index terms, and many other options.

Getting the Full-Text

Some articles link to the HTML or PDF full text right from the citation.

If you are using MultiSearch and no full text is indicated, click on Check for Availability. This page tells you whether the library has any form of access to that particular article. It may link to an online version in a database, or will tell you if we have it in print or microfilm in the library.

If you are searching a database directly, click on the Find It Madden Link from the citation to see if we have the article in full text.

If full text is not available, you can request it through interlibrary loan.

More About MultiSearch

MultiSearch is the Henry Madden Library's version of Xerxes that is used by several libraries throughout the CSU system. Xerxes is a customizable metasearch system developed by David Walker at the CSU Chancellor's Office. More information about the project can be found at http://xerxes.calstate.edu/.