Locating Books & Other Items

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/ .