Use books and reference works for a comprehensive treatment of a topic and for background information. Information in books is usually not as recent as information found in journal articles. Use library catalogs, such as the XPLORE and OhioLINK library catalogs, to find books.
The XPLORE Library Catalog includes records for all of the library's books, journals, audiovisuals, and microform materials.
The OhioLINK Library Catalog provides access to more than 40 million items located at 88 public and private colleges and universities in Ohio.
You should begin your search for books with XPLORE, as you cannot request an OhioLINK book without first determining that the book is not available at Xavier. To satisfy this step complete the following tasks:
Under Welcome tab, in the Quick Links section, click Xtreme Subject Guides
Click the down arrow in the Select an Academic Program textbox and scroll to a program that provides the focus for one of your classes.
The resulting Xtreme Subject Guide will contain a Book Guide.
Click the Book Guide to see the list of databases that contain books.
The database at the top of the list is usually the best place to start.
For books, XPLORE Library Catalog is almost always the best database to begin your search. Click XPLORE.
Search for a book in XPLORE by keyword. For help completing this task see the following handouts and online instructions:
Tips & Tricks - this handout (a PDF file) will help you understand how to construct a search strategy in XPLORE.
Limiting search results (explains how to limit your XPLORE search results to videos, journals, books, etc.)
Select one of the books in your search results.
Create a new entry in your Blackboard e-portfolio (Expo Directory).
Type the answers to the following questions in your new e-portfolio entry:
What is the title of the book?
Who is the author?
What is the Library of Congress call number? (read this information about call numbers)
Is this book available? or is it currently checked out?
On what floor of the library is this book located?
Books with call numbers beginning with A through QD are on the 3rd floor.
Books with call numbers beginning with QD through Z are on the 2nd floor.
Some books and other materials have specialized locations; e.g. Reference, Annex, etc.
To answer the following questions view the library privileges for undergraduate students or graduate students. Tip: click the Borrowing Privileges icon on these pages).
How long can you keep this book if you were to check it out?
How many times can you renew this book provided no one else wants it?
How much does it cost per day per item for an overdue XPLORE book?
Save 2-3 records from your search results and email them yourself. See these exporting records instructions for how to do this.
In XPLORE search for the book title, CSS Pocket Reference.
Since this book is currently checked out, you can request it from OhioLINK.
View the library privileges for undergraduate students or graduate students. Tip: click the Borrowing Privileges icon on these pages and print this file for your records).
Answer the following questions in the new e-portfolio entry created previously.
How long can you keep this book if you were to check it out?
How many times can you renew this book provided no one else wants it?
How much does it cost per day per item for an overdue OhioLINK book?
Search for and request some books from OhioLINK, that are not in XPLORE, which you might need for upcoming papers, projects or assignments. Or, if you have not purchased all of your textbooks yet, request them from OhioLINK. You will need to request some books from OhioLINK to complete Step #18, Your Library Record.
If you need a book that is not in XPLORE and not in OhioLINK, you can still get it from another library outside the state of Ohio. Just fill out the book interlibrary loan form. You also use this form for audiovisuals, dissertations, and book chapters not in XPLORE and OhioLINK. Books requested through interlibrary loan may take as long as 3 weeks to arrive at Xavier, so plan ahead. Have your ALL Card handy as you will need information on your card to authenticate yourself before you can submit the form.
Note: You have to actually come to the library to check out and pick up books, audiovisuals and other physical items. Exceptions to this would be electronic books, digital music, streaming videos, etc.
