Managing search limits > Types of search limits

Types of search limits

In SirsiDynix Portfolio , system administrators may create search limits and use them in two ways.

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Optional (patron-selectable) search limits are displayed in a drop-down list next to the Search field when patrons’ search results are displayed. Patrons can select a displayed, optional search limit to refine their search results. The system administrator can determine which optional search limits display based on the search profiles.

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Enforced (administrator-enforced) search limits are applied to all searches within particular search profiles. This type of search limit is applied to the search results before the search results display to the patron. The search results list is limited automatically without the patrons’ knowledge.

Note: Optional search limits and enforced search limits can be used together for search profiles. However, an enforced limit cannot be simultaneously visible to patrons in Searching as an optional search limit. For example, if the administrator applies a search limit for the young adult search profile so that the search results are restricted to materials owned by the Main Library branch, the Main Library search limit will not display in the drop-down list next to the Search field in the young adult search results.

By default, all defined search limits are optional search limits that are available (but not visible) to patrons of all search profiles. You can enable an optional search limit to be visible to all, just one, or few selected search profiles, or enable the search limit as an enforced limit for certain search profiles. The Configure Search Limits pages let you enable search limits for search profiles, and specify whether a search limit is to be an optional search limit or an enforced search limit. (For more information, see Configuring search limits for a search profile.)

Before you create a search limit, determine the operands and expressions that are required to build the search expression in the search limit. The search expression will be used to limit the search results according to the specified criteria. (For information on operands and expressions, and for instructions on building them, see Understanding and creating operands for search limits and Understanding and creating expressions for search limits.)

A search limit only affects searches of the Discovery search targets. Searches of federated search targets are never restricted by search limits.