Q. how do i search for a book online

To search for books, visit our Library Catalog (also visible as a link on the left side of the Library website). Type in a keyword or phrase (for example, "slavery" or "illegal immigration") to see what we have available in our holdings. If your search does not return satisfactory results, try altering your search string. For example, if "Samuel Clemens" does not give you enough to look at, switch to "Mark Twain" to browse through far more books that you may check out.

Once you have found a book, copy down the call number (for example, BF637.D42 G74 2009). That is how you will find it in the collection. Also note such items as:

1 - Is the book currently available? If the record states "no copies currently available," then someone has checked it out before you.

2 - Is it a reference book? If the call number begins "REF," then you must use that book in the library.

3 - Is it something other than a book? If the call number begins "DVD," for example, then it is a DVD that, in most cases, you must watch in the library.

4 - Is it an electronic book? If the call number begins "EBOOK," it is a digital edition of a printed book. You may read that book directly on the computer, merely by clicking the "URL" link to the bottom right of the catalog entry.