Connectors

Connectors (Boolean operators) are used in keyword searches to link together two or more terms. The most commonly-used connectors are: AND, OR and NOT.

AND narrows a search; you get fewer records, because all concepts must be present in the records found--here the area in color. Use AND to combine different concepts in one search.

OR broadens a search; you get more records because OR includes each of the concepts separately, as well as all concepts when found together. OR is often used to link together related concepts.

NOT excludes a word or phrase from a search; use it to screen out irrelevant results. For example, if you are searching for information on the presidential campaign of Franklin Delano Roosevelt but not Theodore Roosevelt, you might use: