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.Subjectresults

Keywordresults

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.