Frequently Asked Questions: Searching for Books

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Choose from the following questions: How do I search for books? (Overview) How do I search the Alliant library catalog?
  • Go to the library catalog and search by words, title, author, subject, call number, or dissertation.
    • Subject Search. Retrieves exactly as typed, including operators like "and."
    • Word Search. Use "and" to link words if you do not want a phrase search.
    • Subject vs. Word Search. Subject search uses Library of Congress subject headings to pull up records using different terms that mean the same thing. Word search looks for exact word only.
    • Author Search. Enter the surname first.
    • Title Search. You don't need the initial article ("the" or "a"). If unsure of the word order of the title, use word search.
    • Location. To look at books available at your home library only, do a word search and change the location from "View Entire Collection" to your home library. (If you don't find what you're looking for, search the entire collection and request the book by clicking on the blue Request button).
  • Click on a blue, underlined item to learn more about it. The book location information is under the author and title information.
    • The locations of the different libraries are identified by the following:

      • FR=Fresno
      IR=Irvine
      LA=Los Angeles
      SA=Sacramento
      SD=San Diego
      SF=San Francisco
      • The collections include main collection, tests, journals, and A/V. Ask your local library where these are located.
      • face="Arial,Helvetica"> The call number is in the middle of the box, and the status is on the right-hand side.

I can't find the book I want.
  • Redo or broaden your search if you find nothing. Try using other terms for word or subject searches.
  • Check for spelling mistakes. If you are looking for a title, did you type it in exactly?
  • Make sure you are using the right search function. Ex: If looking for a title, you should be searching by title.
  • Limit the number of search terms used.
How can I request a book or dissertation from another Alliant library? (No charge).
  • Go to the library catalog (http://library.alliant.edu).
  • Search for the book you want.
  • Click on the blue button labeled Request. It is on the top and the bottom of the page.
  • Enter your first name and your last name, with a space between your first name and last name.
  • Enter the 14-digit barcode on the back of your ID card. Do not use spaces or hyphens.
  • Click on Submit Above Information. If you experience problems, go to the Log In FAQ.
  • Dissertations published after 1996 may be available full-text through ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Go to the library home page and click on appropriate link under On-Line Databases.
How can I request items from LINK+ libraries? (No charge). 
  • On the library homepage, click on LINK+ (http://csul.iii.com).
  • Search by title, author, or subject, etc.
  • Click on "LINK+ library has this item" to check the status of the item.
  • Click on "Request this item". When asked "With which institution are you affiliated?" Choose "Alliant Int U" from the pull down menu.
  • Type in your full name (as it appears on your ID card) and your 14-digit barcode. 
  • Select the pick up location. (Note: If you select San Diego Library the item will be shipped to the Scripps Ranch campus).
  • Click on "Submit above information".
  • It is recommended that you either print out the page or write down the item information if your request was successful. If the item is not available some libraries will cancel your request without notifying the student.
  • You should monitor your requests from the "View Your Library Record" link located on the library home page.
  • If you do not pickup your requested items or do not let us know that you no longer need the items, you may be charged the $2 ILL fee to recover some of the shipping costs involved in obtaining the LINK+ item for you.

How can I request a book from a library that is not Alliant or LINK+ (Interlibrary Loan-ILL)? ($2.00 per filled request. You will still be charged $2 even if you don't pick up the item.) Note: This also covers any journal article request for materials not available at your home library. 
If the ILL request is for an international item, patron must pay the total cost for filling the request.

Declaimer: The Interlibrary Loan Department at your home library will try to obtain the material you requested, but please understand that some items are not available for loan. This can include dissertations from universities that do not loan.
  • Go to the library catalog. 
  • Click on Interlibrary Loan, a link that is in the second box, labeled Additional Services. Notice that you will be charged $2.00 for each filled request. If the request is for an international item, you must pay the total cost for filling the request.
  • Click on the link that best describes the type of item you are requesting. Your choices are Book, Book Chapter, Dissertation, Journal Article, or Conference Proceedings. 
  • Type in all the information you have. 
  • Read the copyright notice. 
  • If you have not checked the catalog to find out if your local Alliant library has the item, click on Search the Library Catalog to search for a book or dissertation. 
  • Enter your first name and your last name, with a space between your first name and last name. 
  • Enter the 14-digit barcode on the back of your ID card. Do not use spaces or hyphens. If you do not have a barcode, go to the Log In FAQ: How do I get a barcode for the back of my ID/library card?. 
  • Click on "Submit This Request". 
How do I limit my search to only include books from my local Alliant library?
  • Go to the library catalog. 
  • Use the Enhanced Keyword Search screen to limit to material type and/or library before doing search. 

    • OR do a search, then go to the drop-down box just to the left of the Search box. The default of this drop-down box is View Entire Collection. Click on the arrow pointing down, and click on your local library. Click on the Search button again. 
How do I know where an item is located?

Look in the first column on the left-hand side. It lists the city and the type of collection.
The locations of the different libraries are identified by the following: 

FR=Fresno
IR=Irvine
LA=Los Angeles
SA=Sacramento
SD=San Diego
SF=San Francisco

The collections include main collection, tests, journals, and A/V. Ask your local library where these are located. 
  • If the item is a test:

    • Tests do not have call numbers. Ask your local library where they are kept.
  • If the item is a dissertation:
    • Dissertations at most Alliant libraries are filed alphabetically by author's last name. However: 
    • In Fresno, dissertations are filed by call number. The format is:

      • DIS (refers to the area of the library)
      2001 (year completed)
      A1 (where A is the first letter of the author's last name).
    • In San Diego, CSPP dissertations are filed alphabetically, 

      • but USIU dissertations are filed by call number. The format is:
      BF (Library of Congress call number)
      USIU (university)
      2001 (year completed)
      A1 (where A is the first letter of the author's last name).
  • If the item is a video or A/V, it may have number or call numbers.
I found a book in the catalog, but I can't find it on the shelves.
  • Check to make sure the item is available. The status is identified in the box on the right-hand side of the screen. 
  • Check to make sure it is in your local library. The location of the item is identified in the box on the left-hand side of the screen. Also check if the item is located in the main collection, or is in a separate section, like dissertations. If the item is located at another Alliant library, you can request it. Check the question on requesting books from other Alliant campuses. 
I tried to put a hold on a book, but I couldn't, why?

Holds may not be placed on assessment tests or on items in locations such as reference, reserves, or special collections. In addition, no holds may be placed on any items in Irvine or Sacramento. 

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