7. Search Strategies

This section provides guidelines to follow to maximize the fill rate for requests that must be referred over OCLC.

When applicable look at all editions of a title for Texas locations before referring a request out-of-state.

Select cataloging entries by the Library of congress (DLC) or other major libraries first. Entries from these libraries tend to have more locations with them than cataloging entries from smaller libraries.

Read the entire bibliographic screen. Even though locations may not be available for the title as cited, there may be alternate sources if the item is:

• One volume in a series
• Published by or for an association
• Originally published as a thesis
• Originally published in a magazine or journal