How to Use Primo - The CT State Library Discovery Tool

The Primo search box is set to search the CSL Catalog. If you wish to search beyond the CSL Catalog, choose a search scope from the drop down menu. Once you have set the scope, simply enter your search terms in the box and click on the magnifying class icon. 

Your search can be a natural language search, or it can include specific resource information such as an author name, title, call number, ConnDoc (Connecticut Document) number, SuDoc (Federal Document) number, etc. You can also use Boolean connectors (AND, OR, NOT, etc.) in your searches.

When your search results appear below the search box, you can refine your results using the left menu. There are many options for refining your search, including by author, subject, resource type, date, and library location. When browsing your search results, click on the title of any record you wish to view. 

To refine results, click on the result category or categories you wish to view. 

To exclude a category of results, click on the exclude icon that appears next to each category when you hover over it. 

Please see the advanced search page and the frequently asked questions page for additional information about searching Primo. (see left navigation menu).

Also called "Search Scope"

• CT State Library (CSL) - we have the search tool set to CT State Library (CSL) library catalog when you first open up Primo from our web site. This setting searches what is traditionally found in a library catalog: our books, government publications, titles of journals and newspapers (but not the articles), maps, some of our database content (requires CSL library card to access) - in many formats (online, in print, microforms, etc.).
• CSL Catalog, Plus Articles - this searches our catalog (like above) plus many articles from a collection set by Primo. Some are freely available, some require our library card, and a few might not be available. For those not available, you can bring the citation information to your local library and ask them to help you. CT State Agencies should contact us. We have additional databases available on our A-Z Databases page. 
• Middletown Service Center - this option is for libraries in Connecticut. Materials are available only for CT libraries. CT library staff, please contact them with questions.
• CSCU Library Consortium - searches across all catalogs of Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) Library Consortium, consisting of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges, four state universities, Charter Oak State College, and the Connecticut State Library.
• Electronic Resources - searches online items in CSL collections as well as articles available through selected sources. We have additional databases available on our A-Z Databases page.