Searching the Image Library
You can search the Dorset Coast Digital
Archive image library, using Basic Search (in pale grey
at the top of the page), or the Advanced Search (dark grey
at the bottom of the page).
Basic Search
This
searches all of the information fields that are available.
Because of this it often returns a very large number of
results, and is best used as an initial search tool.
Try
not to include small or very common words in your search
terms (e.g. "the" "and" or"in"),
and if you enter a two- or more word search term, the search
engine will look for any record that contains any of the
individual search terms, not the terms
all together. Try to use less frequently used terms.
To refine your search or carry out a search for a more
specific subject or item, try using the Advanced Search
tool below the Basic Search option.
Advanced
Search Tool
The Advanced Search tool allows you to
refine or combine a number of specific searches that look
in the individual fields of information held about each
item (metadata). These options include:
Title - This
searches the text of the title of the item, e.g. Map of
Milton Abbas. Not all items may have titles listed.
Keywords - This
field contains up to four more general keywords that describe
the subject of the item, or related areas of interest. Click
HERE
to open a comprehensive list of the keywords used in the
DCDA project - this may help you to find what you are looking
for.
Creator - This
is the individual who is responsible for, or credited with
the creation of the item, where it is known. This field
is unknown for many of the records in the DCDA Image Library.
Publisher - This
field is the individual who is responsible for, or credited
with the publication of the item, where it is known or has
been published. Not all items have been published, so this
field is unknown or empty for many of the records in the
DCDA Image Library.
Contributor - This
is an individual or organisation who is responsible for,
or credited with contributing to the creation of the item,
where it is known. For example - the engraver of an engraved
pieve of artwork would be listed here. This field is unknown
or empty for many of the records in the DCDA Image Library.
Eastings and Northings- This
searches the Image Library by spatial location, using easting
and northing co-ordinates to define an area for searching.
Description - This
field is the general description of the item, and includes
much of the information known about the item.
Placename Association- This the name of a place or location, that
is associated with the item. It may be the subject of a
painting (e.g. Weymouth) or the place of manufacture, depending
on the type of the item.
You can select all or one of these different
options according to how you wish to search the Image Library.
This can provide you with a very flexible searching tool
fo rthe Image Library.
On the right hand side of the Advanced
Search window, there are some additional tools that you
may wish to use, to refine your search further.
Themes - The
items in the archive have been allocated according to the
Themes used in the Learning Packages, and you can select
one theme at a time to seach for items.
Location - This
is the location of the original item - for example which
museum looks after the originals.
Format - This
is the type of item that you are looking for. For example:
Photograph. The items you can choose from are Map; Photograph;
Image (image other than photograph of map, includes paintings
or drawings); Object; Text (e.g. Report or Music Programme)and
Text & Images (e.g. Newpaper articles or restaurant
menu).
Date range - You
can use this date range tool to enter the "Before"
and "After" dates that you wish to search the
library for.
Don't forget, you can use any combination
of search types in the Advanced Search to help you find
what you are looking for. You still need to use a search
word at all times.
