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Search Tips and Finding Aids

Thank you for utilizing HSCC’s Digital Library! The following tips and tricks should help you more easily find what you’re looking for. We have a collection of FAQs from users of the library as well as a helpful guide to using search filters.

We also maintain a list of findings aids as well for our collections which you can find on this page as well!

Library Search FAQ

  • Spelling Counts: If you’re not seeing the search results you expected, check the spelling of your keyword search, our system defaults to exact matches of how you type in key terms!
 
  • Quotation Marks: If searching for an exact pair of words such as WWII Medals, for example, put the keyword(s) in quotation marks in the search bar to narrow your results.
  • Searching Inside Documents: Our Keyword search will locate documents with your desired term. For quick searches inside documents, click on the magnifying glass in the document viewer’s top left corner, type in your term, and find your term matches highlighted throughout the document!
  • Click “Apply” On Filters: The search result filters are not automatic! If you’ve narrowed your search by collection, year, author, etc. and are still seeing general results, check to be sure you’ve clicked “apply” below the filter to sort your results! For more tips to use filters to refine your search, see our section below dedicated to using Search Filters!
  • Try List View: In addition to our grid view of all documents, we also have a more compact “List View” for easier scrolling. Each item has a description with helpful data.

How to Narrow Your Results with Search Filters

  • Filter By Year: The Publication Year filter allows you to limit your search results to a specific year or range of years. 
  • Filter by Author (coming soon!): For publications with a listed author like, Carroll Yesteryears, you can also limit your search to specific authors. 
  • Items Per Page: Easily set the number of results you see per page for ease of viewing.
  • Search by Collection: Quickly limit your search by selecting one or more collections to view only results within those publications!

    IMPORTANT! Click Apply After Selecting Colletions to Apply Filter.

On-Site Resources Finding Aids

In addition to the online resources found on this Digital Library, the Society’s Library of Carrol County History at 216 E. Main Street in Westminster is the repository of an incredible amount of primary source material to help researchers pursue their historical interests. Some of this material is slated for digitization for the Digital Library. Researchers are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with the HSCC Library by calling 410-848-6494 to access materials not yet digitized.

Other Archival Special Collections

Still Need Some Help?

We’re happy to answer your research questions! Feel free to reach out to our office at: 410-848-6494