Searching the Library Catalog

How do I search for a book in the Library Catalog?
To search for an item in the Search the Library Catalog screen:
1. Type a word or phrase that describes the items you want to find.
2. Click on search everything button.

 

This page provides you with the necessary information to determine the relevance of this book to your search, to locate this book, and to learn whether the book is available. Under Location, one of the following words will appear: AV (Audio Visual), Checkedout, E-Book netLibrary, Paperback, Reference, Reserve, or Stacks.

If the book is available in the stacks, write down the call number (which appears in the Copy Material Location) and go to the stacks on the second floor to find the book. If the book is already checked out, this section will read “Checked Out” or “No copies currently available.”

If the book is on Reserve, go to the Circulation Desk on the main floor and request the book. Most material on Reserve is available for two hours at a time.

Reference Books are located on the main floor and cannot be checked out. They can be used as needed in the library.

All library holdings are arranged by the Library of Congress classification system.

What is the Library of Congress Classification System?
A search for "procrastination" leads us to the book Stop Procrastinating, Get to Work, call number BF637 .S4 S54 1989X. When you look on the shelf for the book, you may notice these titles nearby:

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, BF637. S8 C68 1990X
Successful Self-Management, BF637. S8 T5 1987

The Library of Congress Classification system arranges books according to subject areas and assigns a unique number to each one. So when you locate one book in the Library Catalog, you should find other useful books on nearby shelves.

Since many public and school libraries use the Dewey Decimal System, you may be unfamiliar with the Library of Congress Classification system. Learning to use this system effectively will help you better use the libraries at Nashville State and other colleges and universities.

What do the letters and numbers in the Library of Congress Classification System mean?
In this system, the call number of the book Stop Procrastinating, Get to Work is shelved according to the following elements:

Alphabetic order BF
Whole numerical order 637
Decimal alpha-numerical order .S4

Decimal alpha-numerical order  .S54
Year of publication 1989

With a little practice you should be able to locate books on the shelf. Assistance is always available from the librarians at the circulation desk.

The hits that result from your search on the Library Catalog may tell you that your title is in the NetLibrary. For information on accessing a NetLibrary holding, click Next.