Student Services: Finding Books

• Check to the item availability below the title information (Available, Not Available, Online, etc.)

On the images below availability information is outlined in purple

• If availability is indicated as Online, access it through the provided link

• Otherwise, write down the location and call number

• Click the Map It button to see a map and get the row number for the book on the physical shelf

On the first mage below the available item is Located in Trible Library in the General Collection at the Call Number PS3511.I9 G7 1996) clicking the blue map it button gives you the row number and a map

• Availability

Tells you if the book will be at home or not

• Location:

Think of it as the neighborhood where the book lives

• Row Number (bookshelf):

Think of it as the building in which a book lives.

• Call Number:

Think of it as the apartment number of the book

Go to the neighborhood (location) where the book lives

• Most books are located in the General Collection - which is downstairs.

Some other locations include:

• Oversize (a special area in the General Collection)
• Juvenile (a special area near the General Collection)
• Learning Resources (a special area near the General Collection)
• Reference (2nd floor - across from the Media Center)
• Oversize Reference (a special area in the General Collection)
• Liberty (upstairs in Summerville)
• Vogen (upstairs in Blechman)

Find the building (row number/book shelf) where the book lives

• Check the end of the shelves and use the guides to decide on the right one
• The first call number on the end is the first book on the shelf - the last call number belongs to the last book on the shelf
• Your book will fall somewhere in between

Find the apartment number (call number) where the book lives

Break it down

• First line is the letters - read them alphabetically

• Next is the number - read them as if you are counting

• For each line the letters and numbers start over again

• The final number only line (if there is one) is the date the book was published

• Check that same area for other books of interest, so look right, look left, look up and look down!

What if it isn't there?

What if I still don't understand how to find it?

Don't Panic! Get Help!

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If a book you need is not on the shelf where it should be, please ask at the Circulation Desk.

• They will make sure it isn't listed as checked out (due); on reserve; missing; in process; etc.

• They will double check the shelves -

Sometimes things get slightly misplaced or maybe you just missed it.

A second pair of eyes could help!

Don't be embarrassed - we love helping people!

• If they can't find it for you please fill out a search slip.

This lets us check some more - the book may have been shelved incorrectly, put in the wrong location, etc. and may take time to find it.

• If the books is determined to be missing - you can request it using the Interlibrary Loan Service - just note that it was missing from the shelf and the library staff couldn't find it.