Search/Browse Help - Constructing Canned Search Links: Handbook of Latin American Studies (Hispanic Division, Library of Congress)

Canned Search Recommendations

Use Keyword Search for relevance-based keyword search results and Advanced Search or Browse searches for results generally sorted by author-title-date. We suggest limiting use of the command-driven Keyword (Boolean) searches if better options are available (Boolean search can make it more difficult for many searchers to understand and revise the canned search).
Make sure diacritics, special characters, and truncation symbols (such as %) are URL-encoded in your search query. If possible, remove diacritics from your canned search string.
Use a plus sign (+) to replace spaces between search words. When appropriate, use quotation marks around phrases. Note that quotation marks must be encoded using hexadecimal or decimal values in URLs (for example: %22your+text%22
Consider adding limits to your canned search query. Limits are available for Keyword Search and Advanced Search, as well as the Titles Beginning With, HLAS Subjects Beginning With, HLAS Journal Titles Beginning With, and HLAS Identifier options of Browse.
When linking to a specific bibliographic record, use HLAS Permalink.
The SearchType parameter in canned queries refers to the search page selected. Use searchType=1 for Keyword Search and Browse and searchType=2 for Advanced Search.

Keyword Search: Single Index Code

One Index Code: Keyword Search (All words, Any word, NAME, SUBJECT, TITLE)

Keyword Search (All words, Any word, NAME, SUBJECT, and TITLE) retrieves terms in multiple fields and subfields of HLAS records. Keyword Search finds search terms across subfields and sorts result sets by relevance.

To create a canned Keyword Search query, use one of the following index five codes (which map to the Keyword Search drop-down menu options):

GKEY^* Keyword (all words)
FT* Keyword (any word)
NKEY^* Keyword (NAME)
SKEY^* Keyword (SUBJECT)
TKEY^* Keyword (TITLE)

Search Syntax: Keyword Search requires one index code (searchCode) along with your search terms (searchArg). Include the caret-asterisk symbol combination (^*) at the end of GKEY, NKEY, SKEY, and TKEY - and the caret symbol only (*) at the end of FT. Encode the caret as %5E. Limits may be added: https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=code%5E*&searchArg=your+terms&searchType=1&recCount=25

Examples:

Keyword (all words) search using GKEY^* for the quoted phrase "technology transfer" (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=GKEY%5E*&searchArg=%22technology+transfer%22&searchType=1&recCount=25
Keyword (any word) search using FT*. Boost relevance ranking in your search results by marking essential terms with a plus sign (+): +trade +mexico +canada. Exclude terms by using an exclamation point ( ! ): !asia. Encode the plus sign preceding essential words as %2B. (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=FT*&searchArg=%2Btrade+%2Bmexico+%2Bcanada+!asia&searchType=1&recCount=25
Keyword (SUBJECT) search using SKEY^* for privatization and the quoted phrase "Costa Rica" in subject subfields (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=SKEY%5E*&searchArg=privatization+%22Costa+Rica%22&searchType=1&recCount=25
Keyword (AUTHOR) search using NKEY^* for the truncated name Fuente? (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=NKEY%5E*&searchArg=Fuente?&searchType=1&recCount=25
Keyword (TITLE) search using TKEY^* for the quoted phrase "Machu Picchu" (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=TKEY%5E*&searchArg=%22Machu+Picchu%22&searchType=1&recCount=25
Keyword (all words) search using GKEY^* for salsa, limiting your search results by publication date (2010) and form of material (book, journal issue, conference proceedings) (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=GKEY%5E*&searchArg=salsa&yearOption=defined&limitTo=DATE=2010-&fromYear=2010&toYear=&limitTo=TYPE=am&searchType=1&recCount=25

One Index Code: Advanced Search

Advanced Search finds terms in multiple fields and subfields. These queries also search terms across subfields, with results returned by the sort associated with the first index code (usually author, full title, descending date of publication).

To create an Advanced Search canned query, select from the following index codes (which map to the Advanced Search drop-down menu options):

GKEY Keyword Anywhere
KTIL Title: All
SKEY Subject
K520 HLAS Annotation
972B HLAS Volume No.
K010 HLAS Identifier
972D HLAS Section Code
KNAM Author/Name: All
KPUB Publication Info
97CE HLAS Contributing Editor
KHJA HLAS Journal Abbreviation
K856 Electronic Access
KISN ISBN - ISSN
773T HLAS Journal Title

Search Syntax: Advanced Search requires the searchCode, searchArg, argType, and Boolean combine. Values for argType are: all, any, phrase. Boolean combine values are: and, or, not. Limits may be added: https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode1=code&searchArg1=your+first+terms&argType1=type&combine2=Boolean option&searchCode2=code&searchArg2=&argType2=type&searchType=2&recCount=25

Note that in HLAS, Advanced Search queries are viewed as Boolean searches. Therefore, even if your canned search contains only one index code (e.g., the first set of "boxes"), you still need to include a second search statement that contains blank metadata.

Examples:

Advanced Search using a single KTIL index code for the title Balance of payments as a phrase (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode1=KTIL&searchArg1=balance+of+payments&argType1=phrase&combine2=and&searchCode2=GKEY&searchArg2=&argType2=all&searchType=2&recCount=25
Advanced Search using the SKEY index code for Country name--Commerce (e.g., Argentina--Commerce or Commerce--Argentina) to search in a single search box for all subject terms across subfields (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode1=SKEY&searchArg1=Argentina+Commerce&argType1=all&combine2=and&searchCode2=GKEY&searchArg2=&argType2=all&searchType=2&recCount=25

One Keyword Index Code: Keyword (Boolean) Search

Both keyword and left-match index codes can be used in the command-driven Keyword (Boolean) search. Your query can include phrases, truncation, and limits. Keyword searches in Keyword (Boolean), however, cannot retrieve data across subfields; if your terms are found in different subfields, you need to search each subfield separately using multiple index codes. Similarly, multiple codes are required when you use Boolean operators in your keyword queries.

Search Syntax: While Keyword (Boolean) search syntaxes vary, all Keyword (Boolean) canned queries contain searchCode=CMD and embed the index code in the searchArg. If you use a single wildcard (%) for truncation, you need to encode the percent sign as %25 in your URL. Quoted phrases begin and end with %22 (the encoded value for quotation marks). Limits may be added. The following example shows one possible Keyword (Boolean) search syntax using a quoted phrase: https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=CMD&searchArg=code+%22your+phrase+terms%22&searchType=1&recCount=25

While Keyword (Boolean) canned searches are generally straightforward to construct, these searches present a more difficult OPAC environment for revising search results. We therefore recommend using Keyword (Boolean) canned searches only when you need an index code that is not available in Keyword Search or Advanced Search.

Example:

Keyword (Boolean) search using SKEY index code for the quoted phrase "abstract art" (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=CMD&searchArg=SKEY+%22abstract+art%22&searchType=1&recCount=25

Keyword Search: Multiple Index Codes

Multiple Keyword Index Codes: Advanced Search

Advanced Search finds terms in multiple fields and subfields of HLAS records. Search terms may cross subfields, and results are usually sorted by author, title, and descending date of publication (the sort associated with the first Advanced Search index code). Select from the Advanced Search index codes listed above.

Search Syntax: Advanced Search involving two or three sets of "boxes," requires the following syntax. Limits may be added: https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode1=code&searchArg1=your+first+terms&argType1=type &combine2=Boolean option&searchCode2=code&searchArg2=&argType2=type&combine3=Boolean option&searchCode3=code&searchArg3=&argType3=type&searchType=2&recCount=25

Examples:

Advanced Search using two SKEY index codes for the subject Foreign Investment--Caribbean Area, which has metadata in two subject subfields (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode1=SKEY&searchArg1=foreign+investment&argType1=phrase&combine2=and&searchCode2=SKEY&searchArg2=caribbean+area&argType2=phrase&searchType=2&recCount=25
Advanced Search using SKEY and K856 index codes for the controlled subject Brazil and the term SciELO in the 856 URL field (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode1=SKEY&searchArg1=Brazil&argType1=all&combine2=and&searchCode2=K856&searchArg2=SciELO&argType2=phrase&searchType=2&recCount=25
Advanced Search using the KTIL and SKEY index codes for the title phrase cambio climatico and the subject Bolivia (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode1=KTIL&searchArg1=cambio+climatico&argType1=phrase&combine2=and&searchCode2=SKEY&searchArg2=Bolivia&argType2=all&searchType=2&recCount=25

Multiple Keyword Index Codes: Keyword (Boolean) Search

Keyword queries in Keyword (Boolean) search enable you to combine multiple keyword index codes, using Boolean strings, phrase searches, truncation, and limits. When using a single wildcard (%) for truncation, encode the percent sign as %25 in the URL. Quoted phrases begin and end with %22 (the encoded value for quotation marks).

Keyword searches in Keyword (Boolean) search cannot retrieve data across subfields. When your search terms are found in different subfields, you must search each subfield separately using multiple index codes.

Multiple codes are also required when you use Boolean operators in your queries. Note that no matter what sequence you use for Boolean expressions, HLAS searches process Boolean OR expressions before AND/NOT expressions.

Search Syntax: While Keyword (Boolean) search syntaxes vary, Keyword (Boolean) queries contain searchCode=CMD and embed the index code in the searchArg. Limits may be added. The following example shows one possible Boolean search syntax for a keyword query of a controlled subject with multiple subfields. The query - which can only be constructed using Keyword (Boolean) search - uses repeated SKEY statements (some with single words and others with quoted phrases), combined with a search for K973 fields identifying additional HLAS reviews: https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=CMD&searchArg=SKEY+%22your+terms%22+and+SKEY+term2+and+K973+term3&searchType=1&recCount=25

Examples:

Keyword (Boolean) subject keyword (SKEY) search of each subfield in the controlled subject heading for Indigenous and the HLAS topic/discipline code (hlb7000) to find items reviewed in the ethnohistory section of multiple HLAS volumes (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=CMD&searchArg=SKEY+indigenous+and+973D+hlb7000&searchType=1&recCount=25
Keyword (Boolean) subject keyword (SKEY) search of each subfield in the controlled subject heading for International Relations--Central America/US and a K520 HLAS annotation search for military (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=CMD&searchArg=SKEY+%22international+relations%22+and+SKEY+%22central+america+us%22&searchType=1&recCount=25

Left-Match Search

Left-Match Index Code: Browse

Four left-match searches are available from Browse: Titles Beginning With, HLAS Subjects Beginning With, HLAS Journal Titles Beginning With, and HLAS Identifier.

TALL (Titles beginning with): TALL indexes titles in multiple places in the record. Initial articles are omitted when the indexed title field can identify non-filing articles. Queries automatically begin with the left-most word in the title field.
HLAS (HLAS Subjects beginning with)
7731 (HLAS Journal Titles beginning with)
LCCN (HLAS Identifiers or bi numbers)

Search Syntax: TALL, HLAS, 7731, and LCCN searches require the index code (searchCode) along with your search terms (searchArg). Truncation is automatic and limits may be added: https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=code&searchArg=your+terms&searchType=1&recCount=25

Examples:

TALL search for titles beginning with Argentina y Brasil, limited to journal articles (type: ab) (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=TALL&searchArg=Argentina+y+BrasillimitTo=TYPE=ab&searchType=1&recCount=25
HLAS search for HLAS subjects beginning with the left-most terms political corruption (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=HLAS&searchArg=political+corruption&searchType=1&recCount=25
LCCN search for HLAS records with 2015 as the year component of the identifier: bi2015. When searching HLAS identifiers assigned through year 2000, retain a space between the bi prefix and the year/serial numbers that follow. To reference individual HLAS records, use HLAS Permalinks. (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=LCCN&searchArg=bi2015?&searchType=1&recCount=25

Left-Match Index Code: Keyword (Boolean) Search

You can use any HLAS keyword or left-match index code in Keyword (Boolean) search. However, unlike keyword searches in Keyword (Boolean) search, you can use only one left-match index code in each query; left-match index codes cannot be combined with other index codes.

HLAS contains three types of left-match index codes that:

Search a single subfield in a field (if the subfield is repeated, all instances are searched)
Search a predetermined string of subfields in a field
Search multiple fields (called a "composite" search)

Left-match searches generally invoke normalization rules (for example, hyphens are removed from ISBN searches). Quotation marks (%22) must be used when you have more than one search term. Truncation is not automatic (consider including a question mark (?) at the end of your search term(s) as a multi-character wildcard). Limits may be added.

Search Syntax: Keyword (Boolean) left-match queries contain searchCode=CMD and embed the index code in the searchArg. The following example shows a Keyword (Boolean) search using index code 7731 (HLAS Journal Titles beginning with), with quoted phrases beginning and ending with %22 and a question mark invoking right truncation: https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=CMD&searchArg=7731+%22your+terms?%22&searchType=1&recCount=25

Examples:

Keyword (Boolean) left-match search using index code 7731 to search HLAS journal titles that begin with Revista de Historia; the question mark invokes right truncation (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=CMD&searchArg=7731+%22Revista+de+Historia?%22&searchType=1&recCount=25
Keyword (Boolean) left-match using the HLAS index code to search HLAS subjects (across subfields) beginning with the left-most word indigenous? published from 2013 to the present (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=CMD&searchArg=HLAS+indigenous?&searchType=1&yearOption=defined&limitTo=DATE=2013-&fromYear=&toYear=&recCount=25

Headings Browse Search

Heading Browse

Heading Browse searches link you to lists of controlled authors and subjects ordered alphabetically or numerically.

To create a canned Heading Browse query, use one of the following index codes (which map to the Browse drop-down menu options for controlled headings):

NAME+ AUTHORS beginning with
NAME@ AUTHORS containing
SUBJ+ SUBJECTS beginning with
SUBJ@ SUBJECTS containing

Search Syntax: Heading Browse beginning with and containing searches require the index code (searchCode) along with your search terms (searchArg). Right truncation is automatic for beginning with searches only, and limits are not available. Make sure punctuation is accurate; substitute spaces with a plus sign (+). For Headings Browse containing searches, add an at sign (@) after the index code; for beginning with searches, add a plus sign (+) after the index code and encode the plus sign as %2B: Beginning with search: https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=code%2B&searchArg=your+terms&searchType=1&recCount=25 Containing search: https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=code@&searchArg=your+terms&searchType=1&recCount=25

Examples:

Browse using NAME for controlled author headings beginning with the terms Garcia Marquez (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=NAME%2B&searchArg=Garcia+Marquez&searchType=1&recCount=25
Browse using SUBJ for controlled HLAS and Library of Congress subject headings containing the terms movements (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://hlasopac.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=SUBJ@&searchArg=movements&searchType=1&recCount=25

Search for Specific HLAS Record

HLAS Permalink

HLAS Permalinks are persistent identifiers for HLAS records. These links are constructed from the record's HLAS identifier using a syntax that normalizes the number by removing any spaces between a prefix and year/serial portion of the identifier. HLAS Permalinks are included in Full Record displays, as well as in saved, emailed, and cited records.

Search Syntax: HLAS Permalinks are constructed as follows: https://lccn.loc.gov/[normalized HLAS Identifier]

Examples:

For HLAS Identifier bi2004003411 (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://lccn.loc.gov/bi2004003411
For HLAS Identifier assigned through the year 2000, such as bi 93007701 (HLAS search opens in a new window): https://lccn.loc.gov/bi93007701