A B C finds every page that contains phrase A B C

Do NOT surround search phrases with quotes

A and B finds every page that contains both A and B

A or B finds every page that contains either term

A not B finds every page where A but not B appears

A near B finds every page where A is within 10 words of B

A near (3) B finds every page where A is within 3 words of B


Searches are NOT case sensitive

Finding Statutes, Regulations, etc.
Use or and near to account for alternative ways of citing the same document.

Use wild card to avoid subsection issues
Example: to find Reg. Z, 12 C.F.R. § 226.18(a), search for (12 or Z) near (6) 226.18*

Do NOT surround subsections with parentheses, but leave blank spaces instead of parentheses. Example: 226.18 a 2 instead of 226.18(a)(2)

Use quotes surrounding: and, or, not, near when they appear literally in a phrase. Example: A “and” B finds the phrase A and B , NOT pages where A and B both appear.

Use parentheses for complex searches, such as(A or B) near (C or D).

* is a wild card representing any number of characters or no character at all:
act* will find act, acting, actor, acts

Searches WILL distinguish punctuation and the § sign. Searching for USC 1601 will NOT find U.S.C. 1601 or USC § 1601

Finding Cases
Search by either party’s name or narrow search by using both names or use citation only Examples: Jones; Smith near (5) Jones; 123 F.2d 521; 123 near (3) 521

More Information on the NCLC Manuals