How to Find Books

Finding a book in the library can sometimes be challenging, but following the steps below can help. If you're still stuck even after using these suggestions, view the search tutorials by clicking the tab on the left, or contact a librarian for more help.

Finding Books

1. Go to the Library Website. Once there you should see:

2. Type the title, author, or your search terms into the box and hit search.

• If you are searching for a title ("Giovanni's Room") or a phrase ("Black Lives Matter"), use quotation marks.

3. On the results page use the filters on the left hand side of the screen to narrow your results (print book, ebook, held by library/held by libraries worldwide, publication year, author/creator, subject, databases, language, etc.). Below is an image of where you can find the filters.

• Sometimes the library doesn't own a book, but you can request it through Interlibrary Loan. It usually takes about a week for a book to arrive through ILL.

4. If you find a print book, note which floor of the library the book is on, write down or take a picture of the call number, and find the book on the shelf. If you need help finding a book ask at the information desk. The folks there are happy to help you. Below is a picture of where you can find the call number:

• The call number is a series of letters and numbers that let you know where the book is on the shelf. Once you have a call number, you can find the shelf with the range of letters and numbers of your book, and from there locate it on the shelf.
• Books on similar topics are often shelved near one another. If you find one book that sounds promising, browse the books nearby on the shelf to perhaps find others.

5. Take the book to the Information Desk to check out.

At any point in this process if you have a question or need help, please reach out to a librarian or ask for help at the Information Desk!