What can I find in Discovery?
Our Discoveryis a modern literature research portal based on search engine technology. Discovery offers a quick and easy way to start searching. In addition to our library collection, which includes all kinds of media, the search also covers articles from licensed databases and freely accessible electronic texts. Discovery's responsive web design makes it ideal for mobile devices. Access to your library user account is also integrated.
The default search covers the holdings of the following libraries in the Regional Library Network:
- Rostock University Library (UB)
- Rostock University of Music and Drama HMT)
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW)
- Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP)
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN)
- Historical Library of the Museum of the Barlach Town of Güstrow
- Library of the Rostock Jewish Heritage Centre (Max-Samuel-Haus)
In Discovery, it is possible to extend your search to include other national libraries and additional data sources. Select the "Cross Regional Search" option in the search bar on the left. This search covers more than 320 million titles in over 1,000 libraries across ten federal states and further data sources. Matching literature can be ordered to Rostock via interlibrary loan.
| Tips for searching Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Search terms | Enter one or more search terms in the search bar. By default, multiple terms are combined with "and". |
| Include or exclude search terms |
If you place a plus sign directly before a search term, the term must be included in the search results. If you place a minus sign directly before a search term, you can exclude that term. For example: -str*m returns results for Golf but not for Car or VW |
| Search areas | Select between two search areas in the search bar on the left. In the "Regional Network", you can search the local collection of the libraries united in the Regional Library Network. In the "Cross Regional Search" search area, you can browse over 320 million titles from libraries across Germany and additional databases. Matching literature can be ordered to Rostock via interlibrary loan. |
| Search result | Click the magnifying glass icon button to begin searching. The search terms you have entered will be applied to all categories (person, title, keywords etc.). By default, results are sorted by relevance ranking – the closest possible match between the search query and the available data. |
| Narrow down search | In the search bar on the left, select the "All" option to search for your terms across all categories (e.g. person, title or keyword) at the same time. If you wish to narrow down your search, use options such as "Person", "Signature" or "Title". |
| Filter search results | With the filters below the search bar, you can further refine your search. Set the publication period, language or location of the title to narrow down your search. You can also sort the search results by relevance or year of publication. Please note: The filters vary depending on the selected search area. |
| Wildcard * |
You can place the asterisk symbol anywhere within the search term or at the end of it. It replaces any number of characters. Use wildcards if you are unsure of the spelling of a search term or if you want to find variations of a search term. For example: -str*m will find stream and Strontium -dida* will find didactical, Didaktik, Didache, didactique etc. |
| Wildcard ? |
You can place the question mark anywhere in the search term or at the end of it. It replaces exactly one character. For example: -publi?ation will find publication and Publikation -W??mar will find Wismar and Weimar |
| Quote search |
Enter one or more search terms in quotation marks to get results showing only the exact phrase. For example: -"computational engineering" |
| Original language search |
If titles are available in the original character set, you can also search for them in the original form. For example: История текста и биография А. П. Платонова |
| Phonetic search |
The phonetic search (which can be enabled in the filters) allows you to find terms that are similar in spelling. It is useful when the correct spelling of a person's name or a term is unknown. For example: -Tollstoy will find Tolstoi, Tolstoj, Tolstoy etc. |
Selected control elements
My Account
User account access
- management of collectible items, loans, orders, reservations and fees
- renewal of items
- changes to password
- display of library card
Settings
Setting preferences for
- saving your credentials in "My Account"
- saving your favourites
- saving your search history
Favorites
- display of titles marked as favourites in the search results
- send, save, print or export favourites
Reset
Reset search
- clear search results
- clear search bar
- clear filters