How to Use the Library Catalog Objective: Students will understand how to locate information using a library catalog.

Books CDs Audio books The library catalog will help you find the information you need that is available in your library. Information found in the catalog may be in different formats including: DVDs and VHS videos Maps Art work

A variety of library catalogs exist and have different search interfaces, but the process of searching them is similar.

How do you search for materials in a library catalog? To find a book, you may search by… Keyword Title Author Subject Series

Let’s try a keyword search first. Go to the main search page of the library catalog. You will see the keyword search option.

Next, type in the search term for the keyword search tobacco and click the appropriate icon.

Next, you will see the list of titles resulting from the keyword search on tobacco.

You will also be able to view the call number, and whether the book is checked in or out.

Choose the title of the book you would like and you will be able to view additional information.

The additional information may give you publication information, along with how many copies are available, and other details.

You may also search for a book by title….

author….

or subject.

A search looking for information on a keyword will result in more hits than a search for a subject. Subject results Keyword results The entire book is about the subject. The keyword only has to appear within the text of the catalog record.

You may also search for books by series, i.e. Lord of the Rings.

Advanced Search An advanced search gives you more options. You may search by title, author, subject, keyword, or series. The search terms may also be combined using the Boolean operators— AND, OR, and NOT.

Remember, you can also ask your library teacher for help in finding information in the library catalog!

Summing Up The library catalog will help you find the information you need that is available in your library.