This is an interactive tutorial. Follow instructions in bold type to navigate the web pages on the right. Quiz questions are included to reinforce the content.
Use the arrow below to go to the next section of the tutorial.
Let's get started!
Getting started with Spartan Search is easy. Click in the search box and type "academic success".
NOTE: Use quotation marks to search phrases (two or more words).
QUESTION 1: Spartan Search is a good place to look for articles.
On the results screen, just below the search bar, you'll see the number of results for your search. In this case, there are over 15,000. Fortunately, you can use the limiters on the left side of the screen to narrow your search to the most relevant results.
We recommend that you leave the "Held By Library" setting as is. The system will automatically put Manchester items first, and items owned by other libraries can be requested through interlibrary loan.
Frequently used limiters include:
FORMAT: If you can't get to the physical library, you might want to limit your search to eBooks. If you're interested in videos on your topic, click "Show more" under the format limiter and click video.
PUBLICATION YEAR: Choose the last 5, 10, 25 or type in a custom range of years.
SUBJECT: Subject limiters are arranged by discipline and broken into subtopics.
Click the following limiters:
Publication Year: Last 25 Years (results will automatically update)
Subject: Show more --> Higher Education (under Education)
QUESTION 2: Why might you want to limit your search?
Look at the first few entries in the results list, and note the information provided:
Resources we own and/or have access to will say "Held by Manchester University Library" in bold text. Look for the print book icon and locate the book's call number.
If you click on one of the "View eBook" buttons, it will open in a new window, and you'll need to return to the current tab to continue the tutorial.
QUESTION 3: Both print and electronic books (eBooks) have call numbers.
Scroll to the end of the results and click "2" to move to the second page.
Find any item that says "Held by PALNI" and click on the title.
This item is held by one or more of our partner libraries in the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana. To borrow any PALNI item, just click the "Request PALNI item" button, fill in your contact information, and submit the request.
In Spartan Search results, you might also see "Held by Indiana Libraries" or "Held by other libraries worldwide." To borrow these items, click on the title to open the item record and then click on "Request item through interlibrary loan."
QUESTION 4: Through interlibrary loan, you have access to books and videos from libraries across the United States.
If you need to view part of this tutorial at a later date, use the menu at the top this screen to locate different chapters for review.
Have further questions?
Need help with interlibrary loan?
Send us an email at librarians@manchester.edu.
On the next page, please enter your full name to confirm that you have completed the tutorial.