Lesson 2 Finding Books at Morris Library

Introduction to College ResearchInstructor: Amber Burtis

Things you will learn in Lesson 2

What a library catalog is and what it can do. The name of Morris Library’s catalog. How to find materials in Morris Library’s catalog. How to locate materials in the library. The two main systems of call numbers. The system(s) of call numbers used by Morris

Library. How to read a call number.

Finding Books in Morris Library

In order to find a book on the shelf in Morris Library you need to find out the call number of the book.

The call number is listed on the end of the bookshelf as well as on the book itself.

Call Numbers

These are the range of call numbers on one row of books in Morris Library…….

Call Numbers

And these are the call numbers on individual books at Morris Library.

Question

How do you find the call number for a book you want?

Use I-Share @ Morris Library,

Morris Library’s Catalog www.lib.siu.edu

Answer

Go to www.lib.siu.edu and click on “Books and More” to find I-Share @ Morris Library.

What is I-Share @ Morris Library?

I-Share @ Morris Library is Morris Library’s online catalog.

It will tell you where an item is located and give you the call number.

It will tell you if an item is available or if it’s already been checked out.

It will tell you everything that Morris Library owns….including books, CDs, DVDs, journals and more!

To start, type in your keywords in the search box to do a quick search . Then use the drop down box to decide if you want to search at SIUC only or if you want to search at other libraries and have the book send to Morris Library. See the next slide to figure out your keywords…

Quick Search

Figuring out your Keywords

When you search I-Share @ Morris Library, the words you use to search are actually really important.

You can’t just type your entire topic into the search box!

First break down your topic into the most important words and phrases….or what are called keywords.

Figuring out your Keywords

To determine your keywords:First, brainstorm a list of all the words and

phrases that are related to your topic.

Second, determine if there are other words people use to describe your topic (synonyms or words that

mean the same thing) and broader and narrower terms for your topic.

Figuring out your Keywords

For example, if your topic is: Who are the important singers in the history of

American jazz music?

Search terms for singers might be: singers, vocalists, musicians, etc.

Search terms for American jazz music might be: jazz, jazz music, bop, be-bop, popular music, etc.

This is a KEYWORD search. Just type in your keywords and hit the FIND button. Try different combinations until you get some relevant results. You can also narrow your results if you aren’t finding what you want.

You can also narrow your results to just SIUC.

For even better results, do a SUBJECT search rather than a KEYWORD search. Just change the drop-down box from keyword to subject. A SUBJECT search gives you better results because it retrieves items that the library has assigned to that subject. The KEYWORD search retrieves items that mention the keywords in it….but that could also give you results that aren’t relevant.

If you click on the book title you’ll get a results page that shows you the title, author, publisher, topics/subjects, as well as the item’s location, call number and availability status. You’ll need to do this for your homework (see assignment #2).

Finding the Book

For your assignment #2 (as well as your final project) you’ll need to find at least 3 books and check them out.

First, make sure the status says it is AVAILABLE. Second, write down the call number and location. Third, if the book says it’s location is:

LC books, 5th floor then you know it’s on the 5th floor of Morris Library. You can go there and find it on the shelf.

Dewey Books, McLafferty Annex then you have to request it at http://www.lib.siu.edu/footer-portlets/services/mclafferty-storage-retrieval

Another Library then you must request the book by logging into your I-Share account.

Why is it so confusing?

Sounds confusing, doesn’t it? Just remember that all the “Dewey Books” are at McLafferty Annex and all the “LC Books” are at Morris Library.

Dewey Decimal Call Numbers▪ Nickname: Dewey Books

Library of Congress Call Numbers▪ Nickname: LC Books

Call Numbers

Dewey call numbers are most often used in public and K-12 libraries and are very broad in nature. LC call numbers are most often used in university libraries, because they allow for more specificity.

Dewey call numbers were used for books in Morris Library until January 2002. Now Morris Library uses LC call numbers for all their new books.

Call Numbers

Example of Dewey Decimal Call Numbers: 770.1 C327oE 1999

Always start with numbers.

Example of Library of Congress Call Numbers:TR146 .P46 2003x

Always start with letters then numbers.

Assignment

Go to the course homepage and do Assignment #2. For this assignment you MUST go to Morris Library to find your books…..so plan ahead.

E-mail me the assignment (either as an attachment or with the answers in the body of the e-mail) and then go to Blackboard to take Quiz #2 under the Assessments link.