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Emory University Emory Libraries

HIST385 Women's History 1800 to 1900

Library Catalog

Emory University

Georgia & Other Universities

Interlibrary Loan

Search Tips

Books in libraries are assigned subject headings - standardized terms that ensure books on the same topic can be found even if you enter different search terms.  For example, a search for "United States Civil War" OR "War Between the States" in library search will retrieve records for books having this standard subject heading: United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

When you find a good book on your topic, click on the subject headings assigned to that book in library search to find other titles on that topic. Or, use the subject heading terms in a new search.

You can employ these strategies - and the same subject headings - to search by topic in the WorldCat "mega-catalog" and in most academic library catalogs.

Examples of subject headings [NOTE: omit dashes and other punctuation when typing in catalog search terms]:

 

Locating Library Materials in the Stacks

You need three pieces of information from library search to find a book or other physical item:

  • Library:  Woodruff Library is designated as "GENERAL" or "GENERAL LIBRARIES"

  • Call Number:  System of letters and numbers that group materials by subject.  Woodruff Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) call number system.   How to "Read" a Call Number

  • Location: many Woodruff Library materials have a location of "STACKS" (library lingo for "book floors)." Our call number guide (also available around elevators and service points) tells you what call numbers reside on each Stacks floor.

    

Is the item you need checked out? in Storage? at the Oxford Library? Missing from the shelf?  Info on recalling and requesting library materials

Locating Materials - more info