Finding Books

1. Start from the Library's web page (http://library.ucf.edu), click on Books/Catalog.

 

2. If you know the item you're looking for, you can browse by author or title.

 

 

3. If you're not sure of the exact book you need, you can do a keyword search using the major concepts of your topic. Try synonyms and use the asterisk * symbol for truncation (alternate word endings) if necessary.  Use the Exact Phrase option if it is important that your keywords be found together.

 

 

 

4. Once you've completed a search, take a closer look at the results that seem to be on topic, use the subject headings from these books to refine your search.  You have to click on the title of an item to see the subject headings.

 

5. Once you have narrowed down your search and have found relevant items, you must find the item in the library.  Look at the Location and Call Number listed and use the library locations bookmark (found at the reference desk) to determine where the item is shelved.

Here is an example of a book that is located both at the main campus library and the Daytona Beach campus library.  To determine if the books is checked out, click on How to Get This.

 

6. If an item is checked out, you may place a Recall or Hold Request so that you will be notified when it is returned and the item will be held for you at the library.  Click on How to Get This, scroll down to the status information, and click on Request.

 

7. If an item is not available at UCF (whether it is checked out, missing, lost, or not available), you can order it through Interlibrary Loan. Also, use Interlibrary Loan to request items from area campuses (Brevard, Daytona, etc.)