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Finding Books at the University Library

How to Find Books

OneSearch is your primary search engine for resources at the University Library. Use OneSearch to look for books, periodicals, and media. 

Can't find what you are looking for? See the tab in this guide on Borrowing a Book from Another Library for more information on getting books through CSU+ and OCLC WorldCat.

Using OneSearch

Tutorial on using OneSearch to find books:

Finding a Book on the Shelf

Once you find the item you are looking for, if it's a physical book, you will want to find it on the shelf (e-books will have a direct link). The call number indicates the location of the book in the library. 

If the book is in the main circulating collection, you will just see its Library of Congress call number. 

All items not in the main circulating collection will indicate its specific location, i.e. Juvenile, Quarto, Folio, File Maps, Drawer Maps, Calif Docs, Gov Docs Fiche, Reference, Periodicals, Gov Docs Computer, Curriculum Guides, Spec Coll & Univ Archives, etc. See the tabs in this guide corresponding to these collections for more information. 

Example from the circulating collection:

Find a Book on the Shelf - With pictures!

Step 1:

Find a book in one search and write down its location and "call number'. The call number will begin with a letter. The M call numbers are associated with books on music and can be located on the third floor of the library. 

Step 2:

The call number range of each shelf is located on the end, find the range that your book's call number would fall in. 

Step 3:

Look at the spine of the books to find the one with your call number. 

Step 4:

Take your book and your OneCard to the Find. Use. desk on the main floor to check it out.  

Last Updated: Feb 20, 2024 12:07 PM