Boolean operators are words used to connect search terms. They help you broaden or narrow your search and find more relevant results in library databases and search engines.

The three main Boolean operators are AND, OR, and NOT:

AND — Narrow Your Search

Use AND to retrieve results that contain all of your search terms.

Example:

Library Services AND Marketing

Result: Retrieves results containing both Library Services and Marketing.

OR — Broaden Your Search

Use OR to retrieve results containing either or both of your search terms. It is useful for synonyms and related terms.

Example:

Management OR Administration

Result: Retrieves results containing Management, Administration, or both terms.

NOT — Exclude Terms

Use NOT to exclude results containing a specific term.

Example:

Medicine NOT Herbal Medicine

Result: Retrieves results about Medicine while excluding results that contain Herbal Medicine.