Search Options

There are 3 types of searches on the RIHN website. Basic Search, Browse By’s and Advanced Search.

Basic Search 

  • Basic Search starts in the white Search bar located on the Home Page.
  • Less is more when it comes to starting a successful Search. Entering unique and specific words or a short phrase is more effective than longer descriptions. Use quotation marks (“ ”)  around words or phrases to search for exact terms. Here are examples:

TMI (Too Much Information)

Address at the Rhode Island Historical Society in the 1930’s about the state’s Declaration of Independence

Less is More (Key Words or Short Phrase)

Independence 

Browse By’s

  • You can also start your search using the Browse By subject areas. You can find these under Browse in the navigation in the drop down menu 
  • Browse By’s subjects are also in the image tiles on the Home Page.

Viewing and Narrowing Your Search Results

  • By default, your Search Results will be listed by Title. Use the dropdown under Sort By  if you want them listed by different criteria, such as Date Published.
  • Use one or more of the Filters listed on the left to narrow your search.

Advanced Search

  • Advanced Search can be accessed on the Home Page and Search Results Pages.
  • You can narrow your search in Advanced Search Criteria. Start by using the dropdown to choose a criteria you would like to use to narrow your search such as Author and Contributors.
  • Next, fill in the information relevant to the criteria in the white field next to it, such as the author’s name.
  • Then select Contains or Do Not Contain using the drop down.
  • You can add as many criteria as you would like by Clicking on Add another search criterion.
  • When you are finished adding criteria, click Search.