Quick Tips: Searching for Books

Finding Books in the Christopher Center

A library reference room can be a good place to start many of your research projects. Encyclopedias and dictionaries offer concise, expert information in a variety of subjects and can also spark ideas for specific research topics.

Library of Congress Classification System
These call number categories are applicable both in the general stacks and in the Reference collection; Government Document call numbers are arranged using a different system (SuDoc). You will find the same subject areas in any library following the same call number system as ours. To learn more about these resources, please see the LC Call numbers or government information user guides. There may be some government information resources dealing with your topics. To learn more about those resources, please see the government information user guides

Searching Online

Use subject heading and controlled vocabulary listings, as well as discipline-specific dictionaries, to choose applicable words and phrases for subject searches. Keyword searches are best to start with, but subject searches are also necessary to make sure you have conducted a complete search.

To be able to construct a well-defined search query within any electronic sources, you should understand the underlying concepts beneath classification systems, searching terminology and tools, and the critical evaluation of search results. Read the user guide, Searching for Information: Concepts and Tools, to learn of tools and strategies that will make your electronic searching precise. GALILEO offers many searching options; features such as limit, save to list, browse, and request all serve to make your searching more rewarding. Use GALILEO's Learn More option for details or ask a library staff person for assistance.

If you are away from VU, use WorldCat (off-campus login required), LibWeb or LibDex which offer access to library catalogs worldwide. Depending on their borrowing privileges, you may be able to borrow directly from them or use your local library's Interlibrary Loan program.