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Compass: Home

How to get started using Compass

What do the search scopes do?

After entering a search term(s), you have the option to select the scope of your search in the drop-down list:

A screen capture of the Compass search screen, showing a drop-down with "Almost everything" selected. The drop-down is labeled "Search Scope."


Almost everything
Broadest possible search; articles, books, ebooks, sound recordings, film, and more in Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin (CBB) Libraries. Newspapers not included by default.

CBB Libraries
Books, ebooks, sound recordings, film, and more in CBB Libraries.

Articles and more
Articles, chapters of books and ebooks, reviews, and full text in Bowdoin databases. To add newspapers, do a search, then select “Newspaper search” on left side of your results page.

Course Reserves
Course materials by course name, number, instructor, or title.

Special Collections & Archives
Rare books, artists' books, archives, manuscripts, and other materials in Special Collections & Archives.

Why sign in to Compass?

  • View full search results (some databases will only show results if you are signed in)
  • Request Colby, Bowdoin, and Bates (CBB) materials
  • View current loans and requests
  • Renew materials
  • Save search results in My Favorites
  • Save searches for future use and to create feeds

Getting Started!

Search Compass

Bowdoin Library Compass


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