In this Information Age, many services offered by college libraries can be accessed online. Although most are for the college's commuter students who need to access information from home, some services can be accessed by the general public. The advantage of using a college library, as opposed to a public one, is that a college library has databases, journals and books geared to the academic environment.
Find the website of the college and click on its link to the library. Sometimes, the link will be on the college's home page. Most often, you will have to hunt for it. If there is no link on the home page, a library link can often be found under "Academics." When all else fails, use the college's search box to find the library.
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Find the link for the library's catalog. Although some libraries have public access to their catalogs, others insist on a user ID and password. If you are not a student at the college, often you can become a "guest borrower" by paying an annual fee. Make sure to find out any user names and passwords needed to access online services.
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Conduct a simple search for a book by its title or author. You can also do a subject search to find books on any topic. Keyword searching should be a last resort because it is less specific. Instead, find a book on the subject and use the subject headings in the book's record to search for other books on that topic. Subject headings are assigned by librarians and offer a more specific way to find all the books on that topic in a library. Often, you can click on the subject heading to receive this list of books.
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Click on a book's title to get its call number, location, whether or not it is checked out, and when it is due.
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Place the book "on hold" online or by calling the library. Usually, the library will hold a book for a few days to give you time to pick it up. This way, the book will be waiting for you. You can just walk in and collect it at the circulation desk. If you can't drive to the college library, ask your local public library to order the book for you through "interlibrary loan."
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Access other services offered online such as "Ask a Librarian," which allows you to ask a reference question. Book lists, pathfinders, tutorials and databases may also be available online.
Tips & Warnings
Access to online services at a library can be limited if you are not affiliated with the college. Databases often have licensing agreements limiting their use to students and faculty.
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