Essentially NOBLE is the NSCC library's online catalog. But what is is really? NOBLE stands for the North Of Boston Library Exchange, and is a consortium of 28 academic and public libraries North of Boston. Through NOBLE you can search for books and media at NSCC or any other NOBLE library, such as Salem State University, Endicott College or your public library. NOBLE is an electronic catalog, or database, of all the books and media available at all of the member libraries.
There are several ways you can search for books in NOBLE; these are known as Access Points.
Title If you are looking for a specific title, Of Mice and Men for example, you would want to do a title search. If you are uncertain about the exact title, you should use the keyword search option.
Author If you are looking for books by a particular author, John Steinbeck for example, you would do an author search. This will give you a list of all the books available by that author. Remember: always type the author's last name first: Steinbeck, John.
Subject Subject searching can be a little misleading. When you do a subject search the database is not looking for your topic, per se, but for a type of heading. All items in the NOBLE catalog are assigned Library of Congress Subject Headings.
One way you would use a subject search would be if you were looking for criticisms on an author's works. A subject search for Steinbeck, John would give you all the books written about John Steinbeck and his works.
Keyword Keyword searching is usually the best place to start. When you aren't sure exactly what you're looking for this option allows you much more flexibility. This method allows you to search the title, author, and subject fields all at once. You don't have to know the exact title, author, or subject heading.