ENGLISH 115 Finding Books Hudson Valley Community College Marvin Library Learning Commons 1

What Is a book? A book usually has: a cover and preliminary pages: title, dedication page, table of contents, preface and/or introduction text, graphics and notes auxiliary materials: glossary, appendix, notes, index, bibliography It can be print or electronic. Hard copies are referred to as print. E-books are accessible through a computer. A book can teach you how to build something, why people behave a certain way, or how to find help with a problem. It may enlighten, enrage or entertain.

Types of books in libraries: Most libraries have three types of books: Books that circulate—these are the books that can be borrowed. Reference Books—these books may not be checked out. They must be used in the library. Reference books often provide quick information such as facts, dates, spellings and definitions. E-books—these are accessed through our web site. They do not need to be downloaded to a device like a Kindle or Nook. You have access to these books through our catalog with an Internet connection. We now have more electronic books than print books.

Textbooks are found downstairs in the Instructional Media Center. The Reference Collection and Circulating Collection are found upstairs on the second floor. Your valid HVCC ID card serves as your library card. Check out your books at the First Floor Service Desk. Books are loaned for 3 weeks. E-books do not need to be checked out. Students may borrow up to 10 books at a time. Renewals may be made by phone or in person. Overdue/lost items are subject to fines. Hudson Valley Community College Marvin Library Web Page 4

5 Use the Find Books tab to access our library catalog and see what is available through Interlibrary Loan. This will limit your search results to print and e-books. Enter your keywords in the search box.

Hudson Valley Community College Marvin Library Web Page 6 Results are listed 10 to a page. HVCC Library should be selected. Results may include electronic and print books. To narrow the results, change the dropdown from Keyword to Subject. If you are getting 0 results, check your spelling or think of another word that works for your topic.

Hudson Valley Community College Marvin Library Web Page 7 To open an electronic book, simply Click to View. Always do this to make sure you have access to the full text of the book. The citation you need to use may be inside the book.

8 This e-book can be read online or downloaded. Use the arrows to turn the pages, select a chapter, or search inside the book. There is a Cite Book feature that allows you to pick MLA or APA. The citations are not completely accurate but they get you started.

Hudson Valley Community College Marvin Library Web Page 9 If it says Circulating Collection, use the call number to find the print book on the shelf. Note CiteThis is the citation maker for the print books.

Circulating Collection (“the Stacks”) Locate books using the online catalog. The call number tells you how to find the book. You do not need a call number to open an e-book. A Library of Congress call number looks like this: Z680.5.H Yes, you do need the whole number. Ask for assistance if needed. Hudson Valley Community College Marvin Library Web Page 10

Call Numbers A call number is the unique number assigned to an item in a library. The call number is found on the white label that appears on the edge of the item, such as the spine of a book. Call numbers in academic libraries usually follow the Library of Congress classification system so they start with letters rather than numbers. These letters quickly identify the subject area for the item so that books with similar subjects are grouped together. Books are arranged on the shelf in call number order.

Library of Congress Classification: A -- GENERAL WORKS B -- PHILOSOPHY. PSYCHOLOGY. RELIGION C -- AUXILIARY SCIENCES OF HISTORY D -- WORLD HISTORY/HISTORY OF EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, ETC. E -- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS F -- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS G -- GEOGRAPHY. ANTHROPOLOGY. RECREATION H -- SOCIAL SCIENCES J -- POLITICAL SCIENCE K -- LAW L -- EDUCATION M -- MUSIC AND BOOKS ON MUSIC N -- FINE ARTS P -- LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE Q -- SCIENCE R -- MEDICINE S -- AGRICULTURE T -- TECHNOLOGY U -- MILITARY SCIENCE V -- NAVAL SCIENCE Z -- BIBLIOGRAPHY. LIBRARY SCIENCE. INFORMATION RESOURCES (GENERAL)

How to Read a Call Number:

Hudson Valley Community College Marvin Library Web Page 14 Cite This provides citations in different formats. Note these are rarely 100% accurate. Compare to the examples you are given to check if correct.

Hudson Valley Community College Marvin Library Web Page 15 If a title comes up Not available at HVCC, you may Request It from another library. Make sure you are using Quick Delivery Libraries. An InterLibrary Loan (ILL) form will be filled out, read it over then hit Submit. Most ILL books arrive in a week to ten days.

Other Libraries: If you want to visit one of the other academic libraries in the area, they do welcome our students. For borrowing privileges at these libraries, ask for a DAP card from the front desk.

For this session: Complete the Book Evaluation exercise for the format you have chosen. This will give you an idea of what the correct citation and annotation should look like for that format. This will prepare you for finding books on your topic in our catalog and in the Marvin Library. Read “How to Evaluate a Book or Article without Reading It.” These tips will save you time in creating your bibliography.