Enter a keyword that describes your topic in the library catalog. It is usually best to keep your search simple. Examples: bilingual education; consumer behavior; marketing; climate change.
Review the search results page for relevant items. The results page includes basic information on an item like title, publication date, format, and campuses that have the item.
Click on the Title of a book to see the full record. Then click View Description in the record to see more information about the book including subject headings, table of contents, and book summary. Subject headings describe what a book is about. To find more books with the same heading click on that heading link.
For example, the image below shows a book record for the title Climate Change and Natural Disasters from a library catalog search of climate change and natural disasters. The view description menu has been expanded in the record to show more information about the book including the subject heading links.
When you find the book you're looking for in the catalog, view the check availability section in the catalog record:
Note the location and format of the book you want. Is it a print or e-book? A lot of our collection consists of e-books which can be viewed online 24/7!
Write down the call number of the any print book. This will help you locate it in the library. When you locate your book, browse the library shelf for more relevant books. Books are organized on the shelves by subject, so, when you find a book on the shelf. browse the section for other relevant books
Make sure you check the status of the book and that it is available to check out. If not, click the place hold link to be next in line to check the book out.
For example, in the image below the Check Availability menu has been expanded in the book record, Psychology and Climate Change. In this section, you can see the location, format, call number (if print book), and availability status of the book. This book is located in the main collection of our library and the call number is BF 353 .P792018, and has a status of checked out and the book is due back 5/11/2021. In this case, you would need to hit the Place Hold button in the record to be next in line to borrow this book from the library.
