Search Tips for OneSearch: Books
If the CSUSB libraries don't have the print book you need, you can usually get it through our Interlibrary Loan services. See our guide, Using Interlibrary Loan Services.
TOOLBAR THAT ACCOMPANIES BOOKS AND MEDIA (ARTICLES TOO)
Export to RIS or Excel, print, copy a permalink, email the citation with a link, or generate an automatic citation (which may have errors).
HOW TO FIND BOOKS IN ONESEARCH
While the library strives to make as many current textbooks available as possible, we are unable to buy every single one. Ebook format can be especially difficult for us to obtain because many publishers will not sell e-textbooks to libraries.
TWO WAYS TO SEARCH
NOTE: Both methods will search for print and ebooks. Print textbooks can be checked out at the Library Service Desk on the1st floor. Library staff will need the call number for the textbook and your physical or digital Coyote OneCard.
Method 1: By Title or Title and Author - The Books & Media (CSUSB) Search Option
Run a search for the title (or title and author) of your textbook limited to Books & Media (CSUSB).
Method 2: By Class Abbreviation or Professor's Last Name - The Course Reserves List
1. On the library's website, click on the Course Reserves button (shown at left).
2. Run a search for your class abbreviation (example: CHEM 3230) or your professor's last name (example: Delaney) to locate your class. Click the class link to go to the link for the textbook.
How to Find Both Print and Ebooks
1. Run a keyword search (example: women's history) limited to Books & Media (CSUSB).
2. On the left side of the next screen, under Refine my results, then under Resource Type, click the box for Books.
3. Click the Apply Filters button.
How to Find Only Print Books
1. Run a keyword search (example: dinosaurs cretaceous) limited to Books & Media (CSUSB).
2. On the left side of the next screen, under Availability, click the box for Available in the Library.
3. Under Refine my results, then under Resource Type, click the box for Books.
4. Click the Apply Filters button.
How To Find Print Books at Other CSU Libraries
Simply limit your search to Books & Media (all CSU).
Be sure to sign in to My Library Account so you can request print books from other CSU libraries via our Interlibrary Loan Service. Ebooks at other CSU libraries will not appear. Due to contractural agreements with ebook publishers, ebooks are library-specific meaning that the only ebooks CSUSB student can use are the ones the Pfau Library has bought.
How to Find Only Ebooks
1. Run a keyword search (example: social media influence) limited to Books & Media (CSUSB).
2. On the left side of the next screen, under Availability, click the box for Available Online.
3. Under Refine my results, then under Resource Type, click the box for Books.
4. Click the Apply Filters button.
How to Find Only Large Print Books
Include this phrase with the quotation marks, "large type books", in a keyword search limited to Books & Media (CSUSB) or Books & Media (all CSU) as desired. For example: "large type books" mystery.
How To Find Only Large Print Books at Other CSU Libraries
Simply limit your search to Books & Media (all CSU). Be sure to sign in to My Library Account so you can request media from other CSU libraries via our Interlibrary Loan Service.
How to Find Only Braille Books
Include this phrase with the quotation marks, "text in braille", in a keyword search limited to Books & Media (CSUSB) or Books & Media (all CSU) as desired. For example: "text in braille" students.
NOTE: Library staff can assist you in retrieving a book.
How To Find Only Braille Books at Other CSU Libraries
Simply limit your search to Books & Media (all CSU). Be sure to sign in to My Library Account so you can request media from other CSU libraries via our Interlibrary Loan Service.
How To Find a Specific Audio Book
1. Run a keyword, author, or title search limited to Books & Media (CSUSB).
2. On the left side of the screen, under Refine my results, then under Location, click the box for Audio Books (Ask at Library Service Desk 1st Floor).
3. Click Apply Filters.
How To See a List of Audio Books
1. Run this keyword search, audio books, limited to Books & Media (CSUSB).
2. On the left side of the screen, under Refine my results, then under Location, click the box for Audio Books (Ask at Library Service Desk 1st Floor). This step eliminates everything but audio books.
3. Click Apply Filters.
How To Find Audio Books at Other CSU Libraries
Simply limit your search to Books & Media (all CSU). Be sure to sign in to My Library Account so you can request media from other CSU libraries via our Interlibrary Loan Service.
How to Find Only Children's Books
1. Run a keyword, author, or title search limited to Books & Media (CSUSB).
2. On the left side of the screen, under Refine my results, then under Location, click the box for Juvenile Collection (5th Floor).
3. Click Apply Filters.
How to Identify and Find Award-Winning Children's Books
Use our Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature (DAWCL) to identity the book you want. Once you know the author and the title, follow the instructions above to see if we have it.
- DAWCL (Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature) This link opens in a new windowHelps researchers identify award-winning books for children. Created by CSUSB librarian Lisa Bartle.
How To Find Only Children's Books at Other CSU Libraries
Simply limit your search to Books & Media (all CSU). Be sure to sign in to My Library Account so you can request media from other CSU libraries via our Interlibrary Loan Service.
How to Find Books in a Non-English Language
1. Run a keyword, author, or title search limited to Books & Media (CSUSB).
2. On the left side of the screen, under Refine my results, then under Language, click the box for the language you want.
3. Click Apply Filters.
LOCATING PRINT BOOKS - REQUESTING PRINT BOOKS FOR PICKUP - USING EBOOKS
To locate a print book on the shelves in the library requires a minimum of two things:
- A floor location
- A call number, which is the "address" for one particular book
You might also like to have the title and the author.
What floor do I go to?
In OneSearch, a floor location appears along with a call number. In the example below, the floor location is the 4th floor and the call number is PS648.S3 A4436 1994. And, yes, you will need to know the whole call number in order to locate a book.
You also can tell which floor to go to by matching the first letter of a call number to our Call Number Directory which appears on signs throughout the library.
Once I'm on the right floor, how do I use the call number to find a book?
Match letters alphabetically, numbers numerically by following the signs on the bookshelves and the call number labels on the books until you have matched everything in the call number. Here are more detailed instructions with an example:
HINT
Books on the same subject will be shelved together in the library. If you locate one book on your topic, you will find more.
Please see our guide, Request Items for Pickup.
The Pfau Library's ebooks are not used in the same way as those available for e-readers. Furthermore, since we buy them from several different vendors, there is a bit of variation among them.
The first screen of one of our ebooks usually will tell you what you can and can't do with the ebook. For example, you might only be able to download a certain number of pages at a time.
If you would like more detailed information, please see our comprehensive guide, Ebooks at Pfau Library, or view a recording of our workshop, Using Ebooks From Pfau Library.
