How to Find Books in the Library

Do a title search. Do this if you know the title of the book you are looking for. Type the title of the book into the search box. Omit any a’s or the’s at the beginning of the title when you type it into the search box .

NOTE: For example, if the title of the book is “The Fall of the Roman Empire,” then type in “Fall of the Roman Empire.”

Do a subject search. Do this if you do not have a specific book in mind, but you are interested in a particular subject. When searching by subject, use key words to narrow down your search.

NOTE: For example, if you are interested in programming, then type in the search box “C programming,” “Java programming,” or “Linux programming.”

Click on the book’s title. Do this once you have found a book. You will be redirected to a new page that contains specific information about your book, like the book’s status and where it is located. To access this information, you may need to input an ID and password if you are at a private library, like a university library. If you are a student of the university or member of the library then input your information.

Write down the book's location, call number and status. These are the three most important pieces of information that you need to write down. This information tells you where the book is located in the library and if it is available.

• For example, write down, location: ParagonIU Library Stacks, call number: 658. Ben, and status: available/unavailable.

• If your book is located in the “stacks," then it is a circulating book that can be checked out for a certain period of time like three weeks.

• If your book is in the “reserves,” a reference book, or in the “special collections,” then it can be checked out, however, it cannot be taken outside of the library.

Use the call number guide. Do this if your book is available (not checked out or missing). Identify the first two letters of the call number. Then find them on the guide. The guide will tell you which shelf the book is in and on.

• For example, a book starting with 568 may be in the bookshelf number 568.

• Look for call number guides at the library's bookshelf list.

Look at the labels at the end of the bookshelf. The bookshelf labels are organized alphabetically. Use these labels to locate which bookshelf your book is on. The labels typically contain a range of letters and numbers, for example, 658. Aim to 658. Zen. If your book’s call number falls within the range, then begin looking through that bookshelf.

• For example, if your book’s call number is 658.Imp, then it falls within the range and your book is located on that shelf.

Look at the numbers on the books’ spine. The books are also organized alphabetically, so use the call number to locate the book. The call number is typically located at the bottom of the book’s spine. The book's call number should match the call number in the system identically.

• Since books are organized by topic using the Library of Congress Classification System, try browsing the other books in the section you found your book in if you want more books on your topic.

Ask a staff member. Do this if you cannot find the book, but the system says it is available. The book may be misplaced, or perhaps you are looking in the wrong place. The staff member will go and look for the book for you.

• Tell the staff member, “I went to look for a book in that bookshelf, but I could not find it. The system said it was available, but it was not there when I went to go look for it. Could you check for me?”