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A-Z Databases: One Search: Welcome

What is One Search and when should I use it?

One Search is UWS's own database. It covers all subject areas and will be a key resources for all students and staff at UWS. It has a number of different functions:

  • Managing your library account.
  • Looking for print and electronic books held by UWS Libraries.
  • Searching for relevant journal articles.

This guide will look at all of these and will split these across three pages:

  • This one will look at the basics: orientation, signing in and managing your library account.
  • The one 'Finding your reading list items' will demonstrate how you can find books and journal articles when you have specific items you're looking for, such as on a reading list.
  • The one called 'OneSearch for Research' will show you how to find books and articles when you know the topic you're looking for but don't have specific items in mind.

How to Access

You can access One Search by clicking the link below. The log in screen will ask you for student number (the one starting with a B) or staff ID number.

Signing In

One of the first things you should do is sign in to your account. The sign in link is in the top right hand corner - use your usual UWS log-in. Signing in enables you to access your account, providing you with the ability to view the print books you've borrowed and renew them. Additionally, being signed in is necessary if you wish to reserve print books. Signing helps you to see where the full-text of books and journal articles are available electronically. 

My Library Card

Once you've logged in, you should see your name in the top right hand corner. If you click on this you will be able to access a section called My Library Card - by clicking on this you will be able to

  • See what books you have out.
  • Renew these books where this is possible.
  • See if items you have requested are available for collection.

Picking the right search

One Search has different functions. Because of this, there are three different search options which you can use in different situations:

  • Local Search - this searches for available print and electronic books, and a few other types of resources. 
    When should I use this? If you want to find books, whether print or electronic.
     
  • Articles - this searches for individual journal articles. All of these should be available full-text, either through UWS subscription or else freely available.
    When should I use this? If you want to find a specific journal article, or want to find easy-to-access full-text articles on a specific topic.
     
  • All Resources: this combines the Local Search and Articles search function together, allowing you to search for books and journal articles at the same time.
    When should I use this? As a rule it is much more effective to search for books and journal articles separately - only use this option if you know what you're doing and have a clear idea why this would be effective.

 

Saving and Sharing Results

It can be useful to save links your results - whether these are books or journal articles - in order to refer to them at a later date.

Once you've signed in, an easy way to do this is to 'pin' your results. You can do this by clicking on the pin icon beside a result:

You should be able to see that same Pin symbol in the top right hand of the screen - by clicking here you should be able to see any items you've pinned. Once you have saved them it is possible to attach labels to them - you can use this to label all reading relevant for a specific essay or module.

You may also wish to share your findings with others. One thing to be aware of is that the URLs when using OneSearch are temporary - that is, they only work while you're using it and can't be sent as a link. In order to send a result with a permalink, you can click this option beneath the search results.

 

Copyright Statement

Creative Commons License
This work in this guide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.