Search by Subject

Each item in the library catalog is assigned one or more subject headings to tell you what it is about. You can search by subject heading using the catalog's Advanced Search feature. 

To search by subject in the catalog:

• Open the library catalog and click on "Advanced Search" to the right of the search bar
• Underneath "Search filters", you'll see that the default is set to "Any Field"
• Click on the arrow next to "Any Field" and select "Subject" from the drop-down menu
• Try a search with one of the subject headings recommended below
• Once you've found a relevant book in the catalog, you can also use the subjects listed in the record to find additional related materials

Recommended Subject Headings

Please note that the terms used by library catalogs and other library resources often represent the (US-centric, patriarchal, white) point of view of those who created them. There are many in the field working to change these practices.

The Library of Congress uses the the term 'Indians' for the indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere and, more specifically, the term 'Indians of North America' for those peoples indigenous to the United States and/or Canada.

Start with a generic subject like "Indians of North America" or "Indian musicians" as a subject:

• Add a resource type or qualifier to narrow your results:
  • Indians of North America--Songs and music
  • Indians of North America--Encyclopedias
• Specify the type of information you are looking for:
  • Indians of North America--Music
  • Indians of North America--Music--History and criticism 
• Specify the group or place:
  • Navajo Indians--Music
  • Indians of North America--Oklahoma--Music

You might also try searches for related topics including: 

• Indian Dance--North America
• Indian Art--North America
• Indigenous Peoples--Canada
• Indians of Mexico