Find Books

How do I find books on my topic?

I found some books in the library catalogue. Now what?

How do I use the call number to find a book?

I can't find the book that I want in the library.

How Do I Find Books on My Topic?
 
  1. Select Catalogue to search the Shared Library Catalogue (an integrated catalogue of the collections of Western Libraries; King’s, Brescia, and Huron University College Libraries; and St. Peter’s Seminary Library).
  2. Search by

    Author

    To find works by a particular person
    -Enter personal name in surname, first name order, e.g. Suzuki, David.
    -For organizations or groups, use normal word order, e.g. United Nations.

    Title

    When you know the exact title of the book, e.g. Sacred Balance.
    -Omit initial articles, e.g. A, The, etc.

    Keyword

    To search for books on a topic or when you don't know the exact title or author or when you're not sure of the subject heading, e.g. mass media and propaganda.
    -Multiple words with no linking Boolean operator are searched together as a phrase, e.g. health care in Canada.
    -Use * (asterisk) to truncate, e.g. child* finds all titles containing child: children, childhood, etc.

    Subject

    When you know the assigned Library of Congress subject heading for your topic, e.g. environmental protection – economic aspects – Canada
    To find information about a person, enter name in surname, first name order, e.g. Austen, Jane.

    Call Number

    Enter the call number, including punctuation, e.g. GF80.S89S3 2007.
  3. Click SEARCH.
I Found Some Books in the Library Catalogue—Now What?

 

  1. Note the following for each item:

    LOCATION: Identifies the library or resource centre where the item is located, e.g. DBW stack is at Weldon Library on Western’s main campus.

    CALL NUMBER: Standard number that will help you to locate a specific item in the library, e.g. PR4034.E5 1998.

    CURRENTLY: Indicates whether or not the item is available to be borrowed, e.g. IN LIBRARY.

    LOCATION CALL # CURRENTLY
    King's Stacks on 2nd Floor PR4034.E5 1998 IN LIBRARY
  2.  If the book you want is available, e.g. IN LIBRARY.

    Go to the appropriate library to pick it up.

    OR

    Use the “Request Item” button to have it transferred to another library on campus.
  3. If the book that you want is signed out, e.g. DUE 11-10-23, or IN PROCESS, or IN TRANSIT:

    Place a hold on the book. Placing a hold on an item which is signed out will initiate a request that it be returned early; a revised due date will be issued. Items "In Process" will be rush processed for pickup. Items "In Transit" are between libraries - either in response to or being returned from a hold request - your request will be processed when the item becomes available.

    Click “Request Item” at the top of the catalogue page for the book you require. To confirm your request, enter your Western Identity and password. The “Request Verification” form displays the title of the item. Select a pick-up location and click on “Submit.” On the following page be sure to click on “Request Selected Item” to complete your request.

    OR

    Check the Shared Library Catalogue periodically to confirm when the item’s status changes to IN LIBRARY.
  4. If the book you want is MISSING, you may request it through Interlibrary Loan. Please place a note under “Special Instructions,” indicating that the Western Libraries’ copy is missing.
How Do I Use the Call Number to Find a Book?
 
  1. The first line of the call number will consist of one, two, or three letters. Read these letters alphabetically. Double or triple letter always come after single digits. For example, H61.A3 comes after DA1.F8C5 and before HA60.S6.
  2. The second line is a whole number. Read this number numerically. For example, BS41.R3 comes before BS410.C3 and after BS1.R3.
  3. The third line will contain letters and numbers. Read letters in alphabetical order. Read numbers as a decimal number. For example, HG11.E795 comes before HG11.E8 and after HG11.E61.
  4. A fourth line may contain a year of publication, volume number, or copy number. Read these numerically.
I Can’t Find the Book that I Want in the Library…
 
  1. If you can find the book in the Library Catalogue but cannot find it on the shelf:

    -Check nearby tables and/or book carts for the item.
    -Confirm the location, call number, and status of the item in the library catalogue.
    -Ask library staff for assistance.
  2. If you cannot find the book in the library catalogue:

    -Confirm that you have the correct information, e.g. author, title, date.
    -Ask library staff for assistance.