Primo Discovery - FAQs
Primo Discovery - FAQs for outreach and instruction librarians
How do I sign into Primo?
After a search has been conducted, users can sign in using the SIGN IN link on the top-right hand side of the page or the yellow bar above the results list.
What are search tabs and how do I use them?
Tabs are the various views set up to search for items. Some examples are Books and Media Local, Books and Media CSU, Everything, and Course Reserves. The tabs will limit the search for items according to item type and/or location.
How do I search for items using the Advanced Search feature?
The Advanced Search feature allows users to refine the search according to publication date, material type, language, search tabs, and/or some of the MARC record fields. The MARC record fields that are searchable are Title, Author, Subject, ISBN, ISSN, OCLC Number, Call Number, Publisher, and Location.
How do I search for items using Primo Central Index (PCI)/Results Beyond?
The Expand My Results or Results Beyond feature opens the search up to include Primo Central Index (PCI) results. If this feature is turned on, you may find it on the bottom or top of the results page. The index is mostly journal articles with basic bibliographic information that can be used for interlibrary loan purposes.
How do I search for items using the Personalized search feature?
The Personalized feature prioritizes the list of results by discipline. This feature does not filter out any of the results.
How do I requesting materials using CSU+?
In order to request items using CSU+, users have to be logged in to see the linked request form. The metadata will be attached to the form similar to how the ILL request forms will have the necessary information automatically filled in.
How do I request materials using interlibrary loan service?
Users should be directed to the interlibrary loan service if an item is not available at your campus or at another CSU campus. The required metadata for the request form will be automatically attached if an ILL service account is already set up by the user.
What is in the Send To section?
The Send To features may include links to email, cite, or print item records. There may also be a permalink to the record, as well as various types of file configurations for reference management software. This section may be configured differently at each institution.
How do I save searches and records?
After a search has been conducted, a pin appears above the search results. If users click on that pin, it will save the search query into their account. To access the saved search queries, users can click on the pin icon on the top right hand corner of the page. Records can also be saved by clicking on the pin icon on the brief or full item record. To access the pinned records, users can click on the pin icon on the top right hand corner of the page.
What does pinning an item do?
Pinning at item saves an item record into the user's account. Users can see what has been saved in their account by clicking on pin icon on the top right hand corner of the page.