OSU Libraries

We spend a lot of time talking about how to find articles and journals in the library, but that doesn't mean we're not a great place to find books!

Here's how.

From the library homepage, choose OSU Library Catalog from the Quicklinks:

 

 

This brings you to the OSU Library catalog, a big database of all of the stuff we own (digital and in print) at OSU Libraries.  The best and broadest place to start searching is with a simple (2-3 terms max) keyword search.

 

 

Here's a screenshot of the results screen.  The call number system we use to organize the books in the Valley Library organizes the books by subject.  Look to see if you can identify where the call numbers cluster - where there are several books in the same area.  If you are in the library, you might find it easier to just go to the place where that call number is found, and browse through the books themselves.

 

(Click the image to enlarge)

 

In the example above, there is a cluster of books in the PR4037-8 area.

If you are not in the library, you can still take advantage of the call number system.  When you see a book with a potentially useful-sounding title, click the title to bring up more information about the book.  At the bottom center of the page that comes up, you'll see the Call Number is a hyperlink.

 

 

Click that link to virtually browse the shelf around the book.

 

 

You can find more useful information from the book record.  The Location will tell you if the book is at the Corvallis campus, the Bend campus or the Newport campus, or found online:

1. Anything with "Valley" (Valley, Valley Docs, Valley Special Collections, etc. = the Corvallis campus
2. COCC Second Floor = Bend campus
3. Guin/HMSC = Newport campus

The Status will tell you if the book is checked out, available or on hold for someone else.

 

 

To find more books similar to a good one, when you find a good one, look at the Subjects (the green shaded area below).

 

 

To get your hands on the actual book, once you know you want it -

If you are in Corvallis - use this list of call number locations to find out where the call number is shelved (the first letter of the call number is what you want).

If you are in Bend or Newport and you want a Valley book, use the Request button at the top of the screen to have the book sent to your library.  (Obviously, if you are in Corvallis and you want a Bend or Newport book, use the same button).

 

If you are a distance student or faculty member located more than 30 miles from Corvallis, use the Request button to have the book delivered to your address.  Choose Extended Campus as your pickup location.