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How to Find Print Books: Identify Them With OneSearch, Then Locate Them in the Library

How do you locate a single book among the hundreds of thousands in the library? This guide will show you how.

 

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- A LITTLE BACKGROUND INFORMATION -

In academic libraries, print books are shelved by subject according to the Library of Congress classification system.  Public libraries use the Dewey Decimal classification system.  Although our system is different, it serves the same purpose, to enable you to pinpoint the location of one book among the hundreds of thousands on our shelves.  A call number is an address for one particular book.

 

- THE FIRST STEP -

Use OneSearch to identify a book you want to check out.

ONLY PRINT BOOKS & TEXTBOOKS

 

- TO FIND ONLY PRINT BOOKS AT CSUSB LIBRARIES -

1. Enter and run a search (keyword, author, title).

The main OneSearch search box. Your search here.

2. When you get your search results, use the filters on the left side of the screen (Refine my results) like this:

  • Availability - Available in the Library
  • Resource Type - Books
  • Click APPLY FILTERS

Refine my results showing boxes checked for Available in the Library and Books. APPLY FILTERS

 

- HINT -

Doing more than one search for print books?  Do this:

  • Click Keep filters active while I search.

Active filters: Books, Available in the Library. Keep filters active while I search. Reset filters.

 

- EXAMPLE OF A PRINT BOOK IN ONESEARCH -

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd with Available at Pfau Library 4th floor (PS3611.I44 S38 2003).

THE NEXT STEPS

 

- THE NEXT STEPS -

So you used OneSearch and identified a book you want to check out.  Now what?

You will need the book's floor location and the entire call number.  Take a picture or write it down.  In the example below, the floor location is 3rd Floor and the entire call number is HM206 .D48 2005.

Tiny picture of dust jacket. The book Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies Diamond, Jared M., author.

Click either the title of the book or the call number to go to the next screen where you can view a map of the 3rd floor by clicking the button shown below:

View floor map.

The first letter of the call number tells you the section your book is in.  Looking at the map of the 3rd floor, you can see that the H section will be to your right as you get off the elevator.  HM is part of the H section.

Follow the call number letters alphabetically and the numbers numerically to find your book.  Be aware that the call number will look like this on the book:

HM206

.D48

2005

Go to the 3rd floor and find the HM section.

Next, find the HM200 numbers.

When you see the HM206 books, look alphabetically for D.

Finally, find .D48 2005 and there's your book!

- CHECK IT OUT -

Bring the book to the Service Desk on the 1st floor and use your Coyote ID (actual or virtual) to check the book out for 16 weeks.  Can't remember when the book is due back or how many books you have checked out?  Login to My Library Account to check due dates, see the status of requested items, view saved items, and more.  See all the things you can do in our guide, My Library Account.

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