Every item that the library owns is given a unique call number according to the Library of Congress system. This number is like an address for the book, telling you exactly where to find it inside the library.
Like a call number, the collection code gives you information about where to find the book that you're looking for. Collection codes are abbreviated on the item itself and specified in full in the catalog record.
Ref = Reference
(first floor)
Media = Media (duh)
(Circulation Desk)
Curr = Curriculum Lab
(second floor)
Res = Course Reserve
(Circulation Desk)
Leird = Leisure Reading
(first floor)
Pay attention to the collection codes. Depending on your assignment, some items might not be appropriate. For example, a juvenile biography (from the Curr. Lab.) might not be approved by your professor.
All of your catalog searches will start from a home screen which looks like this:
Before you start searching, it's important to notice the "You are here" line.
Searching "Catalog - Bowie State University" means that you are searching only those materials which are owned by and located at Bowie State University. This line might also read "Catalog - USMAI (all campuses)," which would mean that you were searching through all of the materials owned by members of the USMAI (University of Maryland, UMBC, Towson ect.). It can be useful to search all of the USMAI if you think there's a possibility that Bowie State does not own the item you're looking for. But it's important to remember that having a book sent from another school takes time. If you're in a hurry, it's a good idea to limit your search right off the bat, so that you're not flooded with items you don't have time to wait for.
There are several different ways to search the catalog, as you can see in the drop down menu above. You can search by title, author, or subject, or, if you already know the call number of the item you're looking for (maybe if you've used it before and made a note of the number), you can put that in and go directly to the record.
If you don't already have a specific book in mind you can do a couple of things.
1. Are you looking for a biography of a certain person? Do you have a burning desire to know more about JLo? You can choose a "subject" search and type in her name.
The search shown above yields only one result, the book True Love written by Jennifer Lopez. If that book sounds good to you, and satisfies the requirements of your assignment then, WOOHOO, YOU'RE DONE! Look for the Call Number and the Collection Code telling you where the book can be found and go grab it!
If you decide that you are interested in entertainers but you're suddenly not too keen to read about JLo, you can take a look at the Subject Terms attached to the book. You might choose "Singers -- United States -- Biography" or "Motion picture actors and actresses..." Clicking on either of these subject terms will alter your search to include these related topcs.
2. You could also try out the "Advanced Search" feature. Clicking on "Advanced Search" in the yellow bar across the top of the catalog home screen takes you to this scary looking page:
This search basically works like the... uh, basic search, but offers you more options. Let's say you want to find a biography of an actor, but you don't have anyone specific in mind. The drop down menu includes title, author, and subject options, just like the basic search, but now you can combine up to three. For this particular search we'll look for the words "biography" and "actors" as subject terms:
This search gives you over 130 results! Browse to your heart's content and find a biography that sounds interesting.
