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How to Search the Library Catalog

Note: In January, 2004 the Library Catalog had interface changes.  The principles are still the same listed below, even if the search forms and buttons now appear different.  Updated sample screens will come to this page, shortly.

To find books in the Library, you first search the online Library Catalog, linked from the Library Home page.  You enter search terms, read through records that match your terms, and select the books you would like to find.  You locate the books by their call numbers, which follow the Library of Congress classification.

Map of the Library
Library of Congress Classification

Subject Headings  |  Searching the Catalog  |  Browsing the Catalog
Power Searching/Limiting Searches  |  Reading a Record: Locating a Book
Getting Books located at Las Positas  |  Pro/Con Books

SUBJECT HEADINGS

Sometimes instead of searching by keywords, you may have better luck finding materials by consulting the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH).  This is important because you can sometimes get better search results.  For example, articles, books, and web sites on "Civil Liberties" will usually be indexed under "Civil Rights."  To browse such headings, they are in the four thick red volumes on the left side of the reference desk.

SEARCH THE LIBRARY CATALOG

Search or browse the Library Catalog related to your topic.  For searching, be sure to create an effective search statement and be prepared to refine your search.  For browsing, scan the list of subject headings until you find the one that best fits your topic. Find a book and then its call number. Remember: Books will have in-depth material but will be dated.  For example, most books on terrorism will be published, pre-September 11.  
 

Searching the Catalog:  This is the best approach when your research need relies you to combine search terms.  Make sure words or phrase is selected underneath Search For and narrow your search down to Chabot College if you only want to find books available at Chabot.  Combine different terms such as: united states AND iraq or cloning AND religion.   . enter your terms with AND in between and then click on . See Your Search Strategy for more information on phrasing a search statement.

Browsing the catalog:  This is the best approach when you are searching by broad subjects and prefer to not have to search what may otherwise lead to hundreds of titles.  Get into the catalog as you ordinarily would, and follow the directions below: Once you get into the catalog, switch to Power Search: . From there, select on the right. Enter your search terms, and then select , listed below. In the example stated on the right, notice there is a selection to see "related headings."  In this case "related headings" would've lead the user to the subject heading, "Juvenile Delinquency" which would contain results that could be on the same topic but not have the word, "gangs."

Power Searching/Limiting Your Searches   Click on

Power searching is effective for more precise searches, and especially for limiting your results by language, time period, type of materials (for example, "video"), or a particular location in the Library (such as "Stacks" for usual, check-out books or "Reference Material" for locating reference books such as subject encyclopedias).  If limiting your search by Location, remember to also limit your search by Library.

Reading a Record: Locating a Book

You locate a book by its Library of Congress Call Number.  When reading the results, be sure to write down the call number, along with the title and the author of the book.  Make sure the book is located at Chabot and then see where it is located.  If a book is in the Stacks, they are located against the wall in the back of the main room of the Library.  If a book is in Reference, you will find it in the swirling shelves, just around the reference desk.  Reference books cannot be checked out, but they are very useful for you to view and to photocopy materials.

Books located at Las Positas:  If a book is located at Las Positas, you can obtain the book by two methods:

1.  Request the book at the check-out desk, either in person or by phone.  Chabot will have the book the following Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, after 4 p.m. behind the check-out desk, waiting for you to pick it up.

2.  Go to Las Positas Library and check-out the book there, using your Chabot Student ID card with current sticker.

Keep in mind that due to the budget cuts and a District allocation model, Chabot College Library has not had a book budget for items other than reference materials or the Opposing Viewpoints series since October, 2002.  You may need to rely on articles, or request up-to-date books from Las Positas or go to another library for some of your research needs.

Magazine, Journal, and Newspaper Articles and More  |  Links to Other Libraries

Enter your search statement here:  __________________________________________________
   

List a Book You Have Found Here   Look at the FULL record and make sure to enter all fields below.
                                                                             Also, Make sure the title is from Chabot:

Title:	Author:
Place of Publication, Publisher & Year:	Call Number:

Pro/Con Books (Titles In Series):  The Library contains Series of Books devoted to providing pro and con viewpoints to many hot topics (often in editorial essay form).  Listed below are the names of the  different Series we have:  
 

Information Plus will give you in-depth statistical information, while the other series will give you effective argumentative essays.  These books can be checked out.  To search the Catalog, use Keyword search, enter the title of the series and combine it with your topic:

If you want to get general overviews, you should begin with CQ Researcher, the FACTS.com Issues & Controversies database, or a Subject Encyclopedia from the Reference Shelves.