Library catalogs are used for two purposes. First, if you know exactly what you are looking for – an exact title or author – you can use the online catalog to locate your material. This works for book titles and journal titles. Second, you can use library catalogs to discover material that might be helpful to you by doing subject and keyword searching.  

Look here to find books, DVDs, magazines or journals containing articles that you need, and many other resources.  In addition to the 15 million volumes we have on this campus, you can connect to 90 other libraries in Illinois and request that books be sent to you. When you find something you want in the catalog, write down the following:

• Location – in which library the item is kept (or libraries, if we have multiple copies)
• Call Number – this number is essential for finding the item on the shelf
• Status – is it available for you to check out?

There are other places to verify citations for books and request books and articles you cannot find elsewhere. Ordering books and journals via interlibrary loan is free and generally fairly quick.