The New York Times posted a story titled 6 Google Tricks... that includes two tricks that can reduce your search time.
Most databases have certain basic functions. In addition to searching a phrase by binding it in quotation marks (some use parentheses), you can connect subject terms with the words and, or, & not as a way to refine your search.
OneSearch is CUNY's branding for a discovery tool called Primo, which offers a page on how to do a simple search.
