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Nicaragua: Hispanic Reading Room Country Guide

Tips for Searching

There are several ways to search for resources available at the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress Online Catalog provides searchable access to the vast and diverse collections available onsite at the Library. For archival collections, Finding Aids provide detailed descriptions of individual manuscript items in larger collections. Digital collections and resources on the Library's website can be searched using the search box available in the header area of all Library of Congress webpages.

Searching the Library of Congress Online Catalog

Image of the LC Online Catalog Homepage

The Library of Congress Online Catalog is a great place to begin your research since it provides bibliographic descriptions for the vast majority of collection items available at the Library.

Types of Searches

  • Browse
    Use this search to find titles, authors/creators, subjects, call numbers, or standard numbers.
  • Advanced Search
    Use this search for a guided approach to building a more complex search combinging names, titles, subjects, and keywords as needed.
  • Keyword Search
    Use this search for a "one box" approach to find words and phrases anywhere in the catalog record or in title, author, or subject fields.

Using Search Limits

All searches can be narrowed down by adding filters to your search using the "Add Limits" button. Limit searches with the following options:

  • Years of Publication
  • Place of Publication
  • Location in the Library
  • Type of Material
  • Language

Searching the Library of Congress Digital Collections

The Library of Congress has been digitizing materials from its unique collections since the mid-1990s. The Library's homepage includes a search box as part of the header on the top right-hand corner. Use this box to search our digital collections.

It is also possible to browse a page showing all digital collections (by collection name):

Pro Tips for Searching Nicaragua in the Digital Collections

If you are searching for Nicaragua , you should search "Nicaragua" as a location in any of the Library's search portals to avoid irrelevant results.

Librarians can help! Visit us in the Hispanic Reading Room (LJ 240), e-mail or call 202-707-5397.