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Pioneer Search

About Pioneer Search

Pioneer Search is a discovery tool that searches materials found in multiple resources in one search. The software program behind Pioneer Search is Primo, a product from Ex Libris, which is customized based on the resources available at Thigpen Library. 

Pioneer Search finds books, ebooks, and streaming videos based on the title, description, and subjects. It does not search within the book or video transcript.

Using Pioneer Search helps you discover information, but it has limits.

  • It does not search all the library's online resources.
  • Not all the content from a database is available.  
    • Specialized content is not included
    • Some journal and magazine content is excluded in search results. For example, a journal title from JSTOR is listed on the Journal Finder but you do not find articles from that journal.
    • Content recently added to a database may not be in Pioneer Search until weeks later. For example, U.S. Major Dailies adds content daily from newspapers but only sends new information to Primo on a weekly basis.
    • Content deleted from a database will not be immediately removed from Pioneer Search. For example, a deleted EBSCO eBook will display in Pioneer Search with an inaccessible link while a title search in the EBSCO database for the same eBook shows "Results are not found"

Search Options in Pioneer Search

The default search is a simple search that searches everything. If you want physical items search "in the library" or search "course reserves" for textbooks or other class materials on reserve in the library. Use advanced search for best results.

 Pioneer Search does not like phrase searching with quotation marks so use the advanced search option.

Advanced Search

Use Advanced Search to search by title, author/creator, subject, call number, or ISBN. 

Limiters include: material type, language, and publication date

Search For ...

Everything

"Everything" is the default option. With this option you search many, but not all, of the library's subscription databases, open access databases, librarian selected web resources, physical library materials, and course reserves.

In the Library

Select "In the Library" if you want to find physical materials available in one of the Vol State libraries. By physical materials we mean books not eBooks and DVDs not streaming videos. AV and tech equipment like cameras and laptops are available and discoverable by searching "in the library."

Course Reserves

The "Course reserves" search limits your results to items on reserve for Vol State courses. You can use this option to find textbooks on reserve for use in the library.

 

For more information about physical materials

 For more information on Thigpen Library's physical materials:

  • Visit the ASK desk at your campus library
  • Call: 615-230-3400
  • email: circulation@volstate.edu.
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