Skip to Main Content

French

TMU Libraries Omni Search

TMU Libraries Omni Search For optimum use, sign in. This search engine searches for books and audio-visual materials that are also listed in the library's catalogue, as well as journal articles (many of which are available electronically), theses and dissertations, newspaper coverage from some recent and a selection of archival newspapers, and digitized content such as out-of-copyright books and journals that are available from sources such as The Internet Archive (www.archive.org) and The Hathi Trust.

Refine your search using the filters available on the left.

 

TMU Libraries Books, E-books and Video / Audio Formats

Most of the print books on the French language are classified with call numbers beginning with PC. Books on French literature are classed in PQ, works on French-Canadian literature are classed in the  PS9000s.

Omni replaces the traditional catalogue that used to search for books, e-books, dvds, and other resources except for journal articles. Now, Omni can be used to look for known books, or when using the default (a keyword) search to find some relevant titles for an assignment. Whether using a Simple or Advanced search, you can use the filters on the left to limit to Resource Type: Book chapters, or, Books & eBooks. You can use the Browse Search with the drop down option for Library of Congress Subject Heading. This type of search is ideal for finding Books and Ebooks in our collection. It will display a selective index of subject headings most relevant to your search When you find book records, you can use the Subject terms in the record to link to similar items. If you want to find books, e-books and articles at the same time, consider using Omni, Advanced Search and Subject Contains ...

Keyword Searching in the Catalogue

Keywords searched in Omni Advanced, Subject contains ...

Search examples:

The Name of a person searched as a subject (using Omni, Browse by LC Subject Heading)

For critical works about specific authors, search by subject by the name in inverted order (last name first) with a subdivision such as Criticism and interpretation:

For critical works about a specific genre or period of literature, use the name of the genre etc. with the subdivision History and criticism:

Some topical subject headings

More Tips on Searching for books and e-books in the TMU Libraries and Omni partner libraries

Most of the bibliographical descriptions and subject headings in the catalogue are created in the English language. Some bilingual items (English and French) MAY also have subject headings in the French language. Since we import catalogue records from many sources, there may be a few records for items including videos in French that have only subject headings and description in French. Expect to see increased use of French language subject headings and descriptions of books/e-books that are issued in French only now that we have joined the Omni collaborative finding tool.

At this time, for best, most comprehensive results, use the English language terms when searching subject headings.

When performing general keyword searches, use whichever language seems most appropriate since titles and contents notes are often in French and uniform titles may be used for items that have been translated. You can perform keyword searches for phrases when placed inside quotation marks, as in "traduction de l'anglais" or "traduction par"

With Omni search, you can choose to see library holdings restricted to TMU Libraries, or you can select to view TMU Libraries AND our Omni partners. When you find print books not held by TMU, you can request the title from a partner library using the automatic fulfilment or interlibrary loan options.

Getting More from E-books

Increasingly, the Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries are acquiring books in electronic only formats. These can be found using the Omni search box and limiting by the filters on the left for Books & eBooks, and Availability Online.

Omni search is supposed to include out-of-copyright material from the Internet Archive  and from the Hathi Trust Digital Library in addition to Open Access titles that have been made available to the public free of charge..

A Brief Sampling from TMU's Collection

Quick Facts

Use to find brief background information.

Encyclopedias and dictionaries remain valuable sources of bio-bibliographical information and concise critical commentary on authors and types of literature. Try using Omni, Advanced Search and Subject contains: [type a topical word or words] and either dictionaries, or, encyclopedias

Language Dictionaries

Language Dictionaries, Bilingual

From Oxford Reference:

Oxford Business French Dictionary: French-English

Oxford Business French Dictionary: English-French

Pocket Oxford-Hachette French Dictionary: French-English

Pocket Oxford-Hachette French Dictionary: English-French

 

TERMIUM Plus: The Government of Canada's Terminology and Linguistic Data Bank [you can toggle to the interface en français]
This site "gives you access to millions of terms in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. You can find terms, abbreviations, definitions and usage examples in a wide range of specialized fields. The data bank is an essential tool for understanding an acronym, checking an official title, finding an equivalent in another language, and much more."
Subsection: Glossaries and Vocabularies
Many of the glossaries, vocabularies, terminology bulletins and lexicons were once issued in print and are now online. Many are becoming increasingly dated.
 
Omni, Browse search, Library of Congress Subject headings:
French language Dictionaries English 
English language Dictionaries French 
Try some Omni simple keyword or phrase searches such as:
french language business
"terminology bulletin" [Omni simple search with "" for exact phrase search]

More Resources From the Toronto Public Library (TPL)

The Toronto Public Library has an excellent collection that supports the study of language and literature. Many scholarly works are only available at the Toronto Reference Library located on Yonge Street one block north of Bloor Street. These items generally must be used in the library. Some material is part of the vast circulating collection. Online databases and books are becoming more common.

Literature Resource Centre / Gale Literature is a database that is also available through TMU.

Encylopaedia Universalis
Mango Languages
A TPL account is required for log-in.  All members of the TMU Community are eligible for TPL borrowing privileges.