Finding books on a topic is easy with subject searching. Use the Primo Library Catalog's Advance Search. In the Search For box, type a suggested subject headings and choose the Subject option. Subject searches use Library of Congress subject headings and thus are always in English. For related subject terms, scroll through the list of results.

Examples:

Spanish Literature-History & Criticism

Spanish American literature

Spanish American literature 1500-1700

Spanish American literature 18th century

Spanish American literature 19th century

Spanish American literature 20th century

Spanish American literature 21st century

Mexican Literature

Bilingualism

Tip--to find subject headings, do a keyword search in the Primo Library Catalog. using terms relating to your topic. Find a result that fit your research and consult the subject headings

Subject Headings

Spanish Literature to 1500

The UIUC Library has two call number systems for literature. Materials in the Main Stacks and Oak St. Remote Storage are in the Dewey Decimal System. Books in the Literatures and Languages Library (a very small fraction of the books) are in Library of Congress.

Here is the breakdown for Dewey Decimal:

801 Literature: philosophy and theory
804-05 serial publications

809 Literary history and criticism

861 Spanish (Iberian) poetry

862 Spanish drama

863 Spanish fiction

864 Spanish essays

865 Spanish speeches

866 Spanish letters

867 Spanish satire and humor

868 Spanish miscellaneous writings

Latin American Literature

869.0 Latin American general

869.10 Mexican Literature

869.21 Costa Rican Literature

869.22 Honduran Literature

869.23 Guatemalan Literature

869.24 El Salvadoran Literature
869.25 Nicaraguan Literature

869.26 Panamanian Literature
869.27 Cuban Literature

869.28 Puerto Rican Literature

869.29 Dominican Literature

869.30 Argentinean Literature

869.40 Chilean Literature

869.50 Peruvian Literature

869.60 Uruguayan Literature

869.61 Paraguayan Literature

869.70 Colombian Literature

869.71 Venezuelan Literature

869.80 Bolivian Literature

869.81 Ecuadorian Literature

869.9 Portuguese & Brazil Literature

Step One: UIUC Online Library Catalog

There are two ways to search the UIUC Library catalog. Both offer the same content but the method of searching and presentation of results varies.

1. Through the new Primo Library Catalog. This catalog requires you to register with a login and a password to request materials. It also lets you search books in I-share (see below for more details.)
2. Through the Library Easy Search. This interface lets you search the UIUC catalog for books, articles, journals and media. . 

Getting the actual book: When you locate your item you have two choices.

Print books

You can request the item and pick it up at any of the departmental libraries. Or, you can retrieve the book yourself from either the main stacks or the departmental library where the book is located. If you choose this option, make sure you jot down the location and call number of the item.

Electronic Books

Access will depend on the publisher. In some case you will be able to download full books via PDF. In others you might be able only to view the book online. In all cases the Library follow the publisher's requirements.

Step Two: I-Share

Once you have verified that the book you are looking for is either not located in the UIUC catalog or all copies are checked out, you may order it through Primo Library Catalog and selecting "All I-share Libraries." Items typically arrive within 5-10 days and you will receive an email when the item is available for pick up.

Step Three: Interlibrary Loan

If the item is not available in the UIUC catalog or through I-Share, then your next stop will be Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery. First, keep your full citation handy -- you'll need it. Second, login to the ILLiad server using your NetID and password. From the ILLiad main menu, select "Request a Book." Be sure to fill out as much of the form as possible, including the source of your citation. This will ensure that ILL can place your request in a timely manner. You'll be notified by email when your item is ready to be picked up.

WorldCat -You can search WorldCat to find books on your topic, which might not be in the UIUC nor the I-share catalog. Once you find a title of interest, you can order it through Interlibrary Loan

More Help with the Library Catalog

Dissertations are excellent sources for your own bibliography, as doctoral candidates need to summarize the scholarly literature in their field. Browse these resources to find relevant dissertations.

Latin America and the Caribbean

 Cybertesis: tesis electrónicas en línea

Tesis digitales—Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, México

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM): TESIUNA

Spain

Bases de datos de tesis doctorales (TESEO)