For example, a search may be for a title that specifically has to be a video recording found it the Main library branch. Scoping acts as a pre-search limit so only hits with the specific criteria selected are returned.

In this example a keyword search can be limited to a specific library or material type. The <!--{scope}--> token is being used on mainmenu.html.

Scoping also allows you to design different WebPAC pages for each scope, essentially giving the ability to have several different catalogs within the one. This can be especially useful for consortiums and multi-branch libraries. Common scopes include those by location, so patrons can retrieve only records belonging to the branch they specify (e.g. North Branch), and by material type, which allows a patron to limit a search to a library's specific collection (e.g. music).

There are two parts to scoping:

1. You must have purchased the scoping product, and have built scopes around your data. Scoped searches are only as good as the data in the catalog. Using location codes and other criteria, your library can work with Innovative to create the scopes that will be most useful to your users.

2. You must also make scopes visible and searchable in your WebPAC. This can be accomplished by using dropdown lists with different scope options (such as a list of material types) or by an entry page that links off to scoped sections of the catalog. Once the user selects a link to a scoped page, they can continue searching that scope until they reset their criteria. This is accomplished by using the Web Master mode to set up scoped pages, and Web Options to determine exactly how you would like those scoped pages to behave.

Staff can also set up scoped logins and terminals to limit the database searches to a particular scope defined by that login or terminal, preventing users from changing the current scope.

For additional information, refer to the Innovative Guide & Reference, Page # 106715: Scoping Overview.

For additional information, refer to the Innovative Guide & Reference, Page # 101275: Scoping Maintenance.

For additional information, refer to the Innovative Guide & Reference, Page # 101277: Maintaining the Scope Menu.

For additional information, refer to the Innovative Guide & Reference, Page # 106827: Using Scoped Searching in the WebPAC.