AV Catalogue searching

General Information

For general catalogue searching instructions see the University of Toronto Libraries brochure The Library catalogue, a quick reference. or follow the How do I... instructions on the Library Homepage

The information provided here will help you limit your search to audiovisual materials in the Media Commons collection and in other campus library audiovisual collections.  From the Media Commons homepage, your search will be automatically limited to Media Commons holdings.  All Media Commons materials are listed in the University of Toronto Libraries Catalogue

See also AV Subject Searching and Feature Films (movies).

How to Find

Exact title or some words in a title:
From the basic search screen, change from ANYWHERE to TITLE, then enter the words you know.  At the next screen, select from the REFINE RESULTS column either LIBRARY (Media Commons), or FORMAT (Videos & DVDs).  FORMAT will include holdings throughout the University.

For example, Hamlet

This search method is generally preferred for popular titles such as Hamlet because variations on the title such as Hamlet, The tragedy of Hamlet, Laurence Olivier presents Hamlet or The tragedy of Hamlet, prince of Denmark are retrieved.

Particular filmmaker or authored by a particular person:
At the basic search screen, leave the default ANYWHERE, then enter the name. For example, if you are looking for a video of a lecture by Jean Kilbourne, use her name as an ANYWHERE search.  At the next screen, select from the REFINE RESULTS column either LIBRARY or FORMAT.  For quick links to some popular feature filmmakers, click here.

Particular subject:
From the basic search screen, leave the default ANYWHERE,  then enter a search term, e.g. volcanoes.  From the next screen, select from the REFINE RESULTS column either LIBRARY or FORMAT.

You may add more than one term, e.g. trudeau  levesque; this would find materials relating to both entries.  At the next screen, select from the REFINE RESULTS column either LIBRARY or FORMAT.
For quick links to some broad subject areas, click here

The advanced search screen offers more complex search options.

Note: Summaries are included in most Media Commons Audiovisual catalogue records.  For full information, click on the individual Title record, then click on DETAILS in the pop-up window.

For more help, please call (416) 978-6520 and press "0"