Getting the best responses to your inquiries

Use clear and specific queries to get the best results. See the following examples.

Effective prompt examples:

What percent of circulations are fiction vs. non-fiction?
Break down my collection by Dewey. Show the percentages of my total collection.
- Add circulation counts to that report.
Break down my collection by language.
- What titles are in English, and list the number of copies in my collection.
- Add the publication year to that report.
Show circulations by interest grade level for this school year.
- How about the last 3 weeks?
Break down my collection by material type.
What is the total value of my collection?
What books in my catalog are fiction?
List the non-fiction books published before 2010.
What are the most popular books checked out in the last 6 months?
- How about just eBooks?
List eBooks in my catalog. Show the title and publication year.
What eBook titles have been checked out this school year? Show the circulation count.

Ineffective prompt examples: