How Do I...
- Find a book in the library?
- Read a call number?
- Find videos and DVDs in the library?
- Cite my sources?
- Access the databases from off-campus?
- Contact the Help Desk?
Find a book in the library?
To find a specific book, you must first look it up in the Online Catalog to see if we have it and if it is available. The Catalog will give you information the book's Location, Call Number & Status.
Location
You need to take note of where the book is located. There are 10 different locations within the 3 floors of the library. WS STACK means the book is in the library's circulating collection, and could be on any of the 3 floors.
Call Number
You need to write down the entire call number: PN1995.9.U64 H65 2003. The call number represents the specific address of a book on the shelf.
Status
You need to make sure the status is Available (if it is checked out you will see a due date).
Use the Book Location Guide to find out which floor of the library a call number is located. If there is another location listed besides WS STACK, the Book Locator explains where that location is in the library.
Read a call number?
The majority of materials in the O'Kelly library are shelved by the Library of Congress (LC) Classification System. Library of Congress call numbers use a combination of letters and numbers that represent subject areas, allowing you to browse the shelves for books by subject. Most universities and research libraries use the Library of Congress classification system.
- Library of Congress Call numbers begin with one or two letters. The first letter of a call number represents a major subject area.
For Example: P = Language & Literature; Q = Science; N = Art; R = medicine - The second letter represents a subdivision of the main subject area.
For Example: PS = American Literature; QE = Geology ; NA = Architecture; RT = Nursing
Book Locations
Items are shelved by call number in both alphabetical and numerical order (HF 1359 J36 2001)
- The first set of letters are shelved in alphabetical order: A comes before AC, before AD, and before B, etc. H comes before HB, before HF, before R, and before RT, etc
- The following set of numbers are treated as whole numbers and shelved in numerical order: H45 before H46, before HA12 before HA126 before HC100, before HF1359 etc.
- The second set of letters (after the decimal point) are in alphabetical order: H1359.J comes before H1359.K, before H1359.N, etc.
- The numbers after a decimal point are read as decimals: H45.B62 is before H45.B63, before H45.B633, before H45.B67
An easy way to understand this is to add zeros to the decimal in order to create the same number of digits. Then read them as you would whole numbers. In this example, the decimals would change to read: H45.B620 is before H45.B630, before H45.B633, before H45.B670
Find videos and DVDs in the library?
You search the online catalog for videos and DVDs, just like you do for books. If you have a specific title in mind, you can do a title search. If you want to browse the library's new DVD collection, do a call # search for DVD. All videos and DVDs are kept in the Media Collection, on the second floor West of the library. You must have your RAM ID CARD with you in order to enter and use the Media Collection.
Contact the Help Desk?
The University Help Desk provides assistance with the following items:
- Technical support for desktop computer systems
- Campus Pipeline, Citrix and Rams Online support
- Installation of software and hardware
- Student email account and access
- Computer connectivity to the dorms
Call (336) 750-3431 or visit O'Kelly Library, room203.
