You may read the instructions below or watch a video-guide [YouTube]
1. How do I run a simple search?
You can search via HyDi by typing one or more keywords and clicking the Search button. You can use the drop-down menu on the left side of the search box to narrow down your search to print resources, electronic resources, Course materials, or items available in OAR@UM, drUM, or EBSCO Databases.
2. How do I run an advanced search?
To perform an advanced search, select Advanced Search on the right side of the search panel.
The advanced search option allows you to perform more complex or specific searches by combining different fields such as title, author/creator, date, language, or material type.
You can combine your keywords using the following options:
When searching directly for a title using the Title filter, you can combine it with two extra options in addition to the above:
You may also make use of:
Alternatively, you can also search for specific titles using a barcode in Barcode Search.
3. How do I use Boolean operators? (AND, OR, NOT)
Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) within search phrases must be entered in uppercase letters - otherwise, HyDi removes the Boolean operators and performs a simple search that includes all search phrases.
Note: If you search for words or phrases without specifying OR or NOT, HyDi assumes that you are searching for all the specified words or phrases.
4. How do I search using Wildcard Characters?
You can include the following wildcard characters in your searches:
Note: HyDi ignores wildcard characters placed at the beginning of the search terms as it treats the search terms ?aying and *aying as if you had searched for aying.
5. How do I search for a phrase?
To search for an exact phrase, you need to type quotation marks around the phrase. You can combine both words and phrases in your search.
Example: "climate change"
Note: If you do not enclose the phrase with quotation marks, HyDi will retrieve items that contain the individual words in the phrase regardless of whether these words are located next to each other in the order specified.
6. How do I group terms within a query?
Searches with multiple operators are processed in the following order, from left to right:
You can use parentheses to group terms within a query.
Example: to search for Shakespeare and either tragedy or sonnet, type the following in the search box: Shakespeare AND (tragedy OR sonnet)
When using more than one operator, it is strongly recommended to use parentheses to clarify precedence.
Example: if no parentheses are specified in the above query, HyDi will apply the precedence rules and instead group the words Shakespeare and tragedy as follows: (Shakespeare AND tragedy) OR sonnet.
7. How do I search by title/author/subject?
If you wish to narrow your search to a particular data field, you can do so by using the Advanced Search option.
8. How do I use browse?
The browse search allows you to browse Library books and journal titles in order to find information of relevance quickly. You can browse material by author, title, call numbers, and subject. A call number will return a list of associated records in brief format.
In the results, you can click an underlined entry to see its associated records. Clicking a title displays its full record.
9. How do I use the ‘Ask Anything’ feature?
Ask Anything allows you to search and find what you are looking for by using your own words. It will automatically convert your query into a corresponding search string.
Click on the Ask Anything button next to the search box and describe what you are searching for in the text field in the pop-up window. You can optionally narrow down your search to print resources, electronic resources, Course materials, or items available in OAR@UM, drUM, or EBSCO Databases.
10. How do I save my searches?
Perform a simple or advanced search.
Click on Save and Export All Results underneath the search box and select Save query. You will see an option to turn on the notification for this query.
To view your saved searches, click on your initials in the top right corner and click on Saved records. Select Saved searches from the menu on the left side of the interface.
You may set up an alert for each query by clicking on the three dots next to the chosen query and selecting Set an alert for this search option.
11. How do I save records found in HyDi?
Perform a simple or advanced search.
Click on the bookmark icon next to the chosen record (Add to Saved Records). You will see a confirmation message.
To view your saved records, click on your initials in the top right corner and click on Saved records.
You can also save multiple records at once. Select the chosen records by clicking on the tick boxes on the left side and click on the bookmark icon on the right side of the gray tab above the list of displayed records (Add to Saved Records).
1. What is Research Assistant?
Research Assistant is an AI-powered tool that allows you to explore academic content by asking questions in natural language. It uses most of the content found in your library to identify five documents that can help answer your question and generate a summary accompanied by in-line citations to relevant sources.
2. How do I use Research Assistant?
Click on the RESEARCH ASSISTANT button located at the top of the HyDi interface. Enter your research question into the text box provided on the next page.
You can limit your search by material type (Journal articles, Peer reviewed, or Books) or date. You can also highlight the Available in Full Text option to primarily focus on full-text resources.
3. How do I access the suggested sources?
You can access the sources suggested by the Research Assistant by clicking on a chosen tile above the generated overview.
Alternatively, you can also access them from the overview itself by clicking on a corresponding index number.
4. How do I access my research history?
You can access your research history from a panel on the left side of the interface.
You may read the instructions below or watch a video-guide [YouTube]
1. How do I check the availability of a book?
2. How do I check at which Library the item is located?
Not all books, journals, and dissertations are located at the Main Library. To check the location of a specific item, click on the location next to the Available at annotation. You will be able to view all locations where that particular item can be found.
3. How do I display item’s full record?
If you wish to view more details about certain publication, click on the title. You will be able see item's full record.
4. How do I request a book that is currently on loan?
The Request option allows you to request an item that is on loan directly from HyDi. Only items that are currently on loan can be requested.
To request an item that is currently on loan, click on the title to display the full record. The Request option will be available under Requests.
5. How do I access ebooks?
To find out how to access and download ebooks, consult our video-guide [YouTube] or written instructions [PDF].
1. How do I access electronic articles?
To access electronic articles, click on Full text available.
Full text available displays information pertaining to the database from where the article was retrieved. If the article is available in multiple databases, simply select one on the new page.
2. How do I find journals?
To find a print and/or an electronic journal, first access the Advanced search on the right side of the search panel.
Type in the keyword or title of the journal into the search box, and select the Journals option from the Material Type drop-down menu under Filters.
3. How do I find electronic journals?
To search for the electronic journals via the E-JOURNALS SEARCH located at the top of the HyDi interface. Use the following options to find journals:
4. How do I access databases?
Click on Find Databases at the top of the page. You will be directed to a specific page where you can browse databases by subject or A-Z list.
1. How do I search for a dissertation?
Type in the title, author, or keywords in the search box and click on the search icon. Click on the All Filters button on the left side of the interface below the search box. On the right side of the screen, you will see a list of limiters called Tweak my results.
Navigate to the Resource Type filter and click on the + sign to expand the list of different resource types included in your search. Select Dissertations.
Alternatively, access the Advanced search on the right side of the search panel.
Type in the title, author, or keywords into the search box, and select the Dissertations option from the Material Type drop-down menu under Filters.
2. How do I access electronic dissertations?
Dissertations in electronic format can be easily accessed directly from HyDi.
To access electronic dissertations, follow the process described above (How do I search for a dissertation). Once you find a dissertation that is of interest to you, click on the Available Online button. You will be directed to the University’s Institutional Repository – OAR@UM where all dissertations received by the Library are uploaded.
1. How do I export items to RefWorks [EndNote Fusion]?
You can export bibliographic details of books, articles, and dissertations to your RefWorks [EndNote Fusion] account directly from HyDi. Once you locate an item that you wish to export to RefWorks [EndNote Fusion], click on the export icon (a square with an arrowhead pointing left).
You will see additional options, including RefWorks [EndNote Fusion]. Click on the RefWorks [EndNote Fusion] icon to export the item to your RefWorks [EndNote Fusion] account.
1. How do I cancel my request?
Access My library activity. You will see all your requests in the Requests field. To cancel your request, first click on the chosen request to display the details and then on the Cancel button at the bottom.
2. How do I view my loans?
Access My library activity. You will see all your loaned items in the Loans field.
3. How do I renew my books online?
Access My library activity. You will see all your loaned items in the Loans field.
You can renew your books individually by clicking on the Renew button next to your chosen item, or all at once by clicking on the Renew All button.
For detailed instructions, watch our video-guide [YouTube]
4. How do I pay my fines?
Access My library activity. You will see any pending fines in the Fine + fees field.
Click on the Pay fine button and proceed with online payment. Once the payment is made, you will receive a confirmation of receipt of payment at your UM email address.