Locating Books & Other Items Owned by Libraries

Printable version

NovaCat | WorldCat | Other Library Catalogs  | NetLibrary | Global Books in Print

Books cover virtually every subject and can be a useful source of information when conducting research. However, because of the length of time it takes to research, write and publish books, they generally do not include information on the latest research in a field. Books are especially useful for finding: general background information on a topic and its context comprehensive information on a topic historical information summaries of research (excluding recent or current research) Books are usually made available in print, but more and more books are also available online as electonic books or eBooks. Depending on the particular format, eBooks can be read online via a browser or downloaded as PDF, audio, or other file formats. There are many sources for books and many useful tools for locating them including: NovaCat, the catalog of the NSU Libraries for finding books and other materials in the NSU Libraries WorldCat a FirstSearch database for finding books and other materials found in libraries cooperating with OCLC Other library catalogs for finding books at cooperating libraries (SEFLIN, Wayne State University) and other libraries NetLibrary for NetLibrary eBooks subscribed to by NSU's Alvin Sherman Library Global Books in Print for identifying out-of-print, in-print and forthcoming books which may be obtained through libraries and bookstores

NovaCat

Introduction

NovaCat is the online library catalog for all NSU libraries including: Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center – NSU's Main Library Health Professions Division Library Shepard Broad Law Library and Technology Center William S. Richardson Ocean Sciences Library North Miami Beach branch library Plus the following limited-access NSU libraries: Goodwin Library University Archives University School media centers NovaCat identifies the holdings of all NSU-affiliated libraries. It provides detailed information on: books periodicals (journals, magazines & newspapers) dissertations audiovisual items (CDs, DVDs, audiotapes, videotapes, etc.) CD-ROMs eBooks websites specialty items (LeapPads, test kits, etc.)

Keywords Searching

To perform a keyword search in NovaCat select the Keyword tab enter keywords that best describe your topic searches may include and/or statements examples: child or juvenile, speech and disorder searches may include words derived from the same root example: child* would search for child, children, child’s click the Submit button Keyword search in NovaCat.

Author Searching

To perform an author search in NovaCat select the Author tab enter the author's or artist's name last name first the first name or initial may be added following a comma    shakespeare, william    angelou, m ignore titles or ranks such as: Sir, Doctor, President, Jr. government bodies, organizations, and companies may be used as authors    American Psychological Association    American Speech Language Hearing Association click the Submit button Author search in NovaCat.

Title Searching

To perform a title search in NovaCat select the Title tab enter the exact title do not need to type articles (the, a, an) at the beginning of the title, but you must include them within the title example: Taming of the Shrew, Handbook of speech pathology if it is a long title, you may leave off the last few words example: Florida Directory in place of: Florida Directory of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment, Intervention and Prevention Programs click the Submit button Title search in NovaCat.

Subject Searching

To perform a subject search in NovaCat select the Subject tab select a subject classification: Library of Congress. (Used by: Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center, Law Library) Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). (Used by: HPD Library) Children's Subject Headings (LC Children’s and Sears Subject Headings). (Used by: University Schools and the Children's and Young Adult Collections within the Alvin Sherman Library) enter the subject example: speech therapy click the Submit button Select a subject classification. Library of Congress subject search in NovaCat.

Search Results

Search results will vary. If you get: No records matched your search, then check your spelling or the fields you searched in. Too many, then go back and limit your search. Sometimes a search needs to be modified with: additional search words, searching only a specific field, adding date limitations, or type of materials. Too few, then go back and expand your search. Consider synonyms for your search words or concepts. Try to use professional language or terminology. Irrelevant results, then try new search terms. Consider synonyms or related concepts. Identify and search using descriptors. Try a different database. Some tips about NovaCat search results NovaCat displays the first 12 results that match a search use the Next Page or Previous Page buttons to move through the results click on a title to see a full record Keyword searches will display a list of titles that contain your search terms                                    Author searches will display a list of authors that match your search terms                                    Title searches will display a list of titles that match your search terms                                           Subject searches will display a list of subjects that match your search terms A full record will identify an item's location call number status                                                          Results of a keyword search in NovaCat. Shows 1-12. Full record in NovaCat.

Additional Features

Users can check to see what books they have checked out from the NSU libraries and renew their books online if they are not overdue or on hold for another user. Go to Renew your Items and log on. Local users can place an interlibrary loan journal article or book request from the NovaCat main page. This feature is NOT available for distance users. Instead, please use the online Document Delivery request forms found at: http://www.nova.edu/library/serv/docdel/ .

WorldCat

Introduction

WorldCat, a FirstSearch database product available in the Electronic Resources section, contains over 41 million records of any type of material cataloged by in more than 15,000 OCLC member libraries from around the world. WorldCat identifies libraries near you that own books ebooks journal titles conference proceedings audiovisual materials Internet resources musical scores maps and more

Accessing

This database may be accessed from the Databases page of the Electronic Resources section of the NSU Alvin Sherman Library website. For more on how to access databases visit http://www.nova.edu/library/dils/lessons/electroniclibrary/

Searching

Search WorldCat by author title keyword subject When you open WorldCat the screen defaults to the Advanced Search mode. To choose one of the other types of search modes, click on Basic, Advanced or Expert on the left side of the screen. To construct a search in WorldCat type your search term(s) in the first Search for box click on Search to obtain a list of records Consult the Search Tips for additional information on constructing your search. WorldCat search.

Search Results

Search results will vary. If you get: No records matched your search, then check your spelling or the fields you searched in. Too many, then go back and limit your search. Sometimes a search needs to be modified with: additional search words, searching only a specific field, adding date limitations, or type of materials. Too few, then go back and expand your search. Consider synonyms for your search words or concepts. Try to use professional language or terminology. Irrelevant results, then try new search terms. Consider synonyms or related concepts. Identify and search using descriptors. Try a different database. Results lists A list of search results matching your search terms will be displayed. This List of Records shows citations for items that matched your search availability in the Nova Southeastern University libraries–indicated by a small In your library icon To navigate through the results use the Next or Previous buttons to move through the results view All of the items or click on the tabs to limit by format  click on title of items to view the full record for specific items Search results in WorldCat. Records The information on the Detailed Record, especially the title of the item and the abstract (summary) of the item will help you determine if you need the item. Full record in WorldCat. The full record includes information about libraries that own the title click on Libraries worldwide that own item from the list of libraries, click on Display All Libraries to see more libraries that own this item

Managing Search Results

Databases typically allow you to manage your search results by marking or tagging records to select only the records that you want from your search results from later printing, emailing and/or saving printing the search results list and/or specific records emailing the search results list and/or specific records to your email address saving the search results list and/or specific records–some databases may allow you to save your file for export into commercial bibliographic citation manager software, such as EndNote or ProCite Not all search management features are available in all databases. Marking The "mark" feature allows you to select records from within your search results. By marking items, you can print or email records at one time. To mark a record in the List of Records, click in the check box to the left of a title in a Detailed Record, click in the check box labeled Mark–top of the screen To view your list of marked records click on Marked Records on the left side of the screen You may then email or print the citation information for the items you have selected. Printing To print a record click on the print icon–near the top of the Detailed Record the item will be automatically reformatted and the Print dialog box will appear click OK click on Detailed Record–on the left side of the screen Emailing To email a record click on the email icon–near the top of the Detailed Record select the item to be sent, record detail, record format enter an email address click Send click on Detailed Record–on the left side of the screen Use your complete email address and include a note about what you are sending in the comment box. Your mail will be sent from WorldCat@oclc.org Saving To save a record click on the export icon–near the top of the Detailed Record, or from the Marked List in the Export to: section, select Text File click the Export button click Save enter a filename–extension should be .txt click Save click on Detailed Record on the left side of the screen Use a word processing program to open your file.

Search Tips

Use advanced search features to modify a search to obtain more successful search results. You can combine advanced search features to modify and improve your search. Advanced search features often include: phrase or proximity searching field searching date document and/or publication type Boolean operators plurals and truncation One useful tip when searching any electronic database is to leave out articles, prepositions, and very abstract or general terms–they confuse the database's search engine. For example, if the paper is on "The Impact of Mainstreaming Students in Math Classes,” use the most precise terms like mainstreaming and mathematics and skip impact, the, of, and in. Phrase or proximity searching In WorldCat, there are two ways to search for a phrase put the phrase in double quotes, such as "higher education" "curriculum development" use the letter w to search for two words as a phrase higher w education curriculum w development Field searching To limit your search to a specific field in the record click on the pull-down arrow–to the right of the box that says “Keyword” scroll to the field you wish to limit your search to click on the field’s name Field searching in WorldCat Date To limit a search to specific years go to the year box type a specific year (like 2001), a range of years (like 2000-2006) or from a specific year until the current year ( like 1995- ) Limit by year in WorldCat Publication type To specify a type of publication or material in your search try one of the following go to the Limit type to section, and use the check boxes to specify publication type(s) use a Material Type field search–type the name of the material you need, such as DVD, thesis, computer file, etc. Limit by material type in NovaCat Boolean operators The Boolean operators, AND, OR, and NOT, can be used to modify a search click on the pull-down arrow–below "Search for:" click on the Boolean operator to use: Use AND to narrow a search. AND looks for both terms in the same record. leadership and vision; mainstreaming and science Use OR to broaden a search. OR looks for either term in the same record. mainstreaming or inclusion; elementary education or secondary education Use NOT to eliminate records with a certain term. Saturn not car; Venus not planet Plurals Use the following symbols in WorldCat databases to locate plural forms, truncate search terms, or replace characters: + Regular plural forms. school+ retrieves both school and schools * Any number of characters at the end of a word. leader* retrieves leader, leaders, leadership # One character. defen#e retrieves both defense and defence ? Zero to nine characters. radio?y retrieves radiology, radiometry, radiography, radioactivity

Other Library Catalogs via the Internet

Many libraries make their online catalogs available via the Internet. Online catalogs can be used to search for books and other holdings–including periodical titles–of individual libraries or library systems throughout the world using the Web. Because these catalogs are not actually on the NSU system, you will have to follow the help screens provided by each system. If a you have trouble making a connection, the difficulty may be caused by problems on the Internet or in the system to which you are trying to connect to. If this is the case, NSU may not have the ability to remedy the problem. Use the following links to help identify library catalogs that you would like to search: Library Catalogs by Country http://www.libdex.com/country.html     Libraries in the United States 208.249.120.62/lc/lca.cfm     LibWeb Library Servers via WWW sunsite.berkeley.edu/LibWeb NSU students are eligible for guest privileges with libraries that are members of the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN). In addition, NSU distance students may be eligible for guest priviliges with libraries located near the sites of many NSU distance programs.

Wayne State University

NSU has a lending agreement with Wayne State University in Detroit. Wayne State University Libraries' holdings total over three million volumes, and WSU Libraries ranks 46th among the top 110 research libraries in the United States, according to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) composite rating. To search the Wayne State University Libraries’ catalog go to: elibrary.wayne.edu/ For items available at WSU, use NSU’s Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan online request forms electronic request forms available at www.nova.edu/library/serv/docdel/ Do not try to contact Wayne State University directly. Note for distance students books from WSU Libraries should be returned directly to the library from which they were sent limited to U.S. mailing addresses–students at international sites may not use this service

NetLibrary

Introduction

Access thousands of electronic books through NetLibrary. Electronic books can be accessed via the NovaCat online catalog or directly via NetLibrary. NetLibrary enables users to access electronic versions (eBooks) of academic, reference, and scholarly books. Use NetLibrary to search for eBooks by keyword, author, title, or subject view the eBooks online make notes in eBooks print or copy a limited numbers of pages – NetLibrary's copyright protection technology prevents entire eBooks from being printed out or from being electronically copied and distributed to others

Accounts & Accessing

This database may be accessed from the Databases page of the Electronic Resources section of the NSU Alvin Sherman Library website. For more on how to access databases visit http://www.nova.edu/library/dils/lessons/electroniclibrary/ You can search and view the full-text of eBooks without a personal NetLibrary account, however, to use all the features of NetLibrary, you will need a NetLibrary account. A NetLibrary account allows you to add personal notes to an eBook and customize your search preferences. To create a NetLibrary account (this only needs to be done once): access NetLibrary select Create a Free Account–in the upper right corner of the screen fill in the form read the Terms of Use click the Submit button you will receive a confirmation email message from NetLibrary To use NetLibrary in subsequent sessions access NetLibrary log in to your NetLibrary account Create a NetLibrary account or log in.

Searching

Search NetLibrary for eBooks by title author full text keyword subject publisher ISBN NetLibrary defaults to a Basic Search. The Advanced Search offers more searching options. To construct a search in NetLibrary click on Advanced Search type search terms in the entry box to the right of a field name – use the Keyword field if you are unsure of which field to use click the search button Advanced Search in NetLibrary. In the Advanced Search, you can also limit your search using various criteria. To limit by year of publication: type in a year (2006), range of years (1955-1995), a starting year (1990-), or an ending year (-2000) To limit by language: scroll through the menu, and click on the desired language select more than one language by holding down the control key while clicking on the desired languages Limiting search in NetLibrary.

Search Results

Search results will vary. If you get: No records matched your search, then check your spelling or the fields you searched in. Too many, then go back and limit your search. Sometimes a search needs to be modified with: additional search words, searching only a specific field, adding date limitations, or type of materials. Too few, then go back and expand your search. Consider synonyms for your search words or concepts. Try to use professional language or terminology. Irrelevant results, then try new search terms. Consider synonyms or related concepts. Identify and search using descriptors. Try a different database. Some tips about NetLibrary search results by default, results are sorted by relevance ranking. You can change the order by selecting a different Sort by option. click Show Details to see the detailed record for a specific eBook.   eBook search results in NetLibrary. To view the full text of an eBook click on View this eBook as long as you are actively viewing the eBook (turning pages, doing full-text searches, etc.), you continue to have access to the title. Otherwise, after 15 minutes of inactivity, your NetLibrary session will automatically end. if you've logged in with a personal account, remember to log out when you leave NetLibrary, to protect your personal information. Please note that the Checkout option has been discontinued in NetLibrary. You may no longer download eBooks to view offline. Use the View this eBook option instead to read online. eBook Details in NetLibrary Viewing an eBook in NetLibrary

Printing & Copying Text

To print or copy one page at a time use your Internet browser's print or copy commands Printing an entire eBook violates copyright laws. NetLibrary's monitoring software detects suspicious usage patterns indicative of excessive printing or copying. The software will log the activity and send the user a copyright warning.

Global Books in Print

Introduction

The Global Books In Print database contains records for over 14.8 million English and Spanish-language titles from over 40 countries, including children's books and audio and video formats. It includes information on books in print, forthcoming, or declared out-of-print or out-of-stock indefinitely since 1979. Global Books In Print records include citations with complete bibliographic and ordering information, as well as full-text book reviews. It also includes a publishers index.

Accessing

This database may be accessed from the Databases page of the Electronic Resources section of the NSU Alvin Sherman Library website. For more on how to access databases visit http://www.nova.edu/library/dils/lessons/electroniclibrary/

Searching

Quick Search Use the Quick Search feature to search Global Books in Print by keyword author title ISBN To create a quick search type in your search terms in the entry box to change to an author, title or ISBN search, click on the grey pull down arrow–to the left of the entry box click the Submit button Advanced Search To create a more advanced search, or to search other fields click the gold-colored Search button–near the top of the screen–to switch to the advanced searching mode go to the advanced search section of the screen locate the Search On: box that lists what you want to search by (author, ISBN, title, etc) if necessary, click the grey pull-down arrow to the right of any of these items to change what you want to search by in the Search For: entry box type your search terms click on the Search button to obtain a list of matching records

Search Results

Search results will vary. If you get: No records matched your search, then check your spelling or the fields you searched in. Too many, then go back and limit your search. Sometimes a search needs to be modified with: additional search words, searching only a specific field, adding date limitations, or type of materials. Too few, then go back and expand your search. Consider synonyms for your search words or concepts. Try to use professional language or terminology. Irrelevant results, then try new search terms. Consider synonyms or related concepts. Identify and search using descriptors. Try a different database. Results lists A list of search results matching your search terms will be displayed. The Search Results shows citations for items that matched your search ISBN price status of item–active record, on demand, out of print, etc Records To view a Detailed Record click on an item's title to see: the full citation, a picture of the cover (if available), links to subjects, price information, publisher information, and more

Managing Search Results

Databases typically allow you to manage your search results by marking or tagging records to select only the records that you want from your search results from later printing, emailing and/or saving printing the search results list and/or specific records emailing the search results list and/or specific records to your email address saving the search results list and/or specific records–some databases may allow you to save your file for export into commercial bibliographic citation manager software, such as EndNote or ProCite Not all search management features are available in all databases. Marking The "mark" feature allows you to select records from within your search results. To mark several record on the same screen in the Search Results list, click in the check box to the left of a title click the View Selected link at either the bottom or top of the list of results You may then print, email or save each record individually. Printing To print a single record try one of the following in the Search Results list click the title of the item link click the Print link at the bottom of the record select the format and information to be included follow the on-screen instructions in a Record click the Print link at the bottom of the record select the format and information to be included follow the on-screen instructions To print multiple records on the same screen in the Search Results list, mark the items–using the checkboxes–to be printed click the Print link at the bottom of the results select the format and information to be included follow the on-screen instructions Emailing To email a single record try one of the following in the Search Results list click the title of the item link click the Email link at the bottom of the record select the format and information to be included enter an email address follow the on-screen instructions in a Record click the Email link at the bottom of the record select the format and information to be included enter an email address follow the on-screen instructions To email multiple records on the same screen in the Search Results list, mark the items–using the checkboxes–to be emailed click the Email link at the bottom of the results select the format and information to be included enter an email address follow the on-screen instructions Saving To save a single record try one of the following in the Search Results list click the title of the item link click the Download link at the bottom of the record select the file format, record format, and information to be included follow the on-screen instructions in a Record click the Download link at the bottom of the record select the format, record format, and information to be included follow the on-screen instructions To save multiple records on the same screen in the Search Results list, mark the items–using the checkboxes–to be saved click the Download link at the bottom of the results select the format, record format, and information to be included follow the on-screen instructions

Search Tips

Use advanced search features to modify a search to obtain more successful search results. You can combine advanced search features to modify and improve your search. Advanced search features often include: phrase or proximity searching field searching date document and/or publication type Boolean operators plurals and truncation One useful tip when searching any electronic database is to leave out articles, prepositions, and very abstract or general terms–they confuse the database's search engine. For example, if the paper is on "The Impact of Mainstreaming Students in Math Classes,” use the most precise terms like mainstreaming and mathematics and skip impact, the, of, and in. Field searching To limit your search to a specific field switch to the advanced search mode–click the gold-colored Search button near the top of the screen locate the Search On: box that lists what you want to search by (author, ISBN, title, etc) if necessary, click the grey pull-down arrow to the right of any of these items to change what you want to search by in the Search For: entry box type your search terms click on the Search button to obtain a list of matching records Date To limit a search to specific years try one of the following change your Search On: field to Publication Year and type a specific year go to the Limit Your Results section of the screen and type a range of years (like 1990-1999) Publication type To specify an item's format go to the Format section use the check boxes to specify the items' formats Boolean operators The Boolean operators, AND, OR, and AND NOT, can be used to modify a search click on the pull-down arrow–to the right of the "Search for:" entry box click on the Boolean operator to use Use AND to narrow a search. AND looks for both terms in the same record. leadership and vision; mainstreaming and science Use OR to broaden a search. OR looks for either term in the same record. mainstreaming or inclusion; elementary education or secondary education Use AND NOT to eliminate records with a certain term. Saturn and not car; Venus and not planet Plurals Use the following symbols in Books in Print to locate plural forms, truncate search terms, or replace characters $ Replaces multiple characters–anywhere after the first three characters. leader$ retrieves leader, leaders, leadership defen$e retrieves both defense and defence * Replaces multiple characters–anywhere after the first three characters. leader* retrieves leader, leaders, leadership defen*e retrieves both defense and defence ? Replaces a character–within a search term, but not at the end of the term. defen?e retrieves both defense and defence 00602??680 retrieves both 0060256680 and 0060279680

Additional Features

Additional feature in Global Books in Print includes the: Forthcoming Book Room–books, audiocassettes, and videos scheduled for publication or release in the next 6 months. Children's Room–books, audiocassettes, and videos for children and young adults. Search by age, grade, subject, setting, and more. The Favorite Characters area gives links to all titles about popular children's characters. The Favorite Series area gives links popular children's series. Bowker's Fiction Room–popular fiction books, audiocassettes, and videos for adults. Identifies popular fiction titles, related works, and series titles.