Finding Books Guide

If You Know the Title of a Book

Look in the Library catalog (InvestiGator) to find books owned by the SFSU Library.   If you find a record for the book in the catalog, check the STATUS to be sure it is available today!  (see the box below)

LOCATION	CALL #	STATUS
MAIN COLLECTION	PS1300 .F72 vol.8 2003	AVAILABLE

 

If You Want to Find Books on a topic

1. Search by keyword in the InvestiGator Catalog. For more information see the Oasis tutorial page for Searching InvestiGator by Keyword.
2. Once you find relevant titles, use the Subject Heading links from within the catalog to find related resources. For more information see the Oasis tutorial page for Searching InvestiGator by Subject.
3. You can also search the Investigator Catalog using Subject Headings. Most academic libraries use the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), which may not use the same words you are thinking to describe your topic. You may need to use synonyms to identify the right subject headings for your topic, but once you do you can use them in multiple catalogs, including Link+ and the WorldCat database.

Requesting Books from the Library
(Main Campus Users)

To request one book:

1. Search the Library Catalog (Investigator).

2. Click on "Request Item" from within the book record.

3. Enter your name, SF State ID number and Library PIN.

4. Select your pickup location from the drop-down menu.
5. Click “Submit”

6. Click again to REQUEST SELECTED ITEM.

To request a number of books:

1. Search the Library Catalog (Investigator).

2. Click “Save to Book Bag” for each item you want.
3. After viewing and saving all the titles you want, click “View Book Bag.”
4. Click “Request Book Bag” to request the items in your Book Bag.
5. Enter your name, SF State ID number and Library PIN.

6. Select your pickup location from the drop-down menu.
7. Click to Request All or Request Selected items from your list.

Book Pickup

The books you request will be retrieved from the Library and delivered to HSS 102 weekdays in 24 hours. You will receive an email from SFSU Circ Email Notices (circmail@sfsu.edu) when the book is available.

For a brief video (1 min, 51 sec) showing the new online method of requesting library materials go to http://www.library.sfsu.edu/research/screencasts/requestbooks.htm

What If We Do Not Own it or It Is Checked-out?

If we do not own a book or if the book you want is checked out, click on the “Search Link+” button to search for it in a larger number of libraries.  (Link+ is a cooperative program among participating California libraries.)  If your book is available at another library, it will be sent to the Book Check Out Counter in about 3-4 days and you can pick it up there.

If you cannot find your book using Link+, go to Borrowing Items from Other Libraries to see more options.