This search is an alphabetical search. Alphabetical searches work like the phone book. If you know only the first letter of a person’s last name, you have to flip to that section and start looking. Knowing a few more letters allows you to narrow your search. When you perform an alphabetical search, the system moves through the alphabet until it reaches your first letter. Within that letter, it continues to search until it has reached all of the letters in your search term. For instance, if you select the Object Name search and type in "PAINTING," the system will move first to the P and then to PA and then to PAI and so forth. If there is no exact match, the system will bring back the closest records it can find. The type of information that the system alphabetizes depends on the search you choose. 

 A call number is a collection of letters and numbers that serve as a unique identifier for any item or group of items (such as a manuscript collection) that the Archives/Library holds. The most popular call number system is Dewey. However, OHS utilizes a variety of other call number schemes to group particular collections. These call numbers schemes generally are structured around a letter, letters or group of words and a sequential number. Examples of items which have other call numbers includes maps, photographs, manuscripts, State Archives material, pamphlets, temperance material, cd-roms, microfilm, and newspapers. Other call numbers are not used the majority of books and serials (please see the Dewey Call Number Alphabetical Search for these materials). This search will compare your entry with OHS' groups of other call numbers. If system will return as close a match as possible. One valuable aspect of this search is that it allows you to browse an entire collection simply by entering a partial identifier (ex. "MSS" will bring back our manuscript collections).

• Local call numbers do not adhere to any "standard" Library numbering scheme, such as Dewey or Library of Congress. For the uninitiated, it will be very difficult to guess what search text is necessary for a particular collection. If you are having trouble using this search, contact a reference library or email occ@ohiohistory.org.