Xavier University: Library: 16 Steps to Information Fluency: Step 7: Finding Books: XPLORE, Electronic Books, OhioLINK, & ILLiad

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 48 million items located at 89 college, university, public, and state libraries 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:

Go to the library's homepage at http://www.xavier.edu/library
Click the Books & More tab.
For books, XPLORE Library Catalog is almost always the best database to begin your search.
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.

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 PN are on the 3rd floor.
- Books with call numbers beginning with PQ 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 XPLORE library privileges for undergraduate students or graduate students. Tip: click the Borrowing Privileges icon on these pages).
1. How long can you keep this book if you were to check it out?
2. How many times can you renew this book provided no one else wants it?
3. 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.
The library has this book in two formats: print and electronic.

Click the electronic version of this book:
1. Click the Connect to electronic resource link.
2. If you are in an off-campus location you will be asked to authenticate yourself using your MyXU user name and password.
3. In the Table of Contents, click a chapter in this book.
4. Navigate through the first few pages of this chapter.
5. Print a few pages of this chapter.
6. Search for "margins" just within this book. Hint: if you are in a chapter, click Search in the left column; if you are at the table of contents, click the Search This Book tab.
7. Search for a topic in the Index.
Click the print version of this book:
1. This book is currently checked out so you can request it from OhioLINK.
2. View these online instructions for Requesting an OhioLINK item & pickup anywhere,
3. Locate this book in OhioLINK and find the Request button, but do not actually request the book.
4. View the OhioLINK library privileges for undergraduate students or graduate students. Tip: click the Borrowing Privileges icon on these pages and print this file for your records).
5. Answer the following questions:
  1. How long can you keep this book if you were to check it out?
  2. How many times can you renew this book provided no one else wants it?
  3. 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. You will need to request some books from OhioLINK to complete Step #8, Your Library Record.
If you need a book that is in the Library Annex or is not in XPLORE and OhioLINK, you can still get it from another library outside the state of Ohio. Use ILLiad (interlibrary loan) to request books that satisfy these conditions. This service requires you to set up an account. Books requested through ILLiad may take as long as 3 weeks to arrive at Xavier, so plan ahead.
1. Go to ILLiad at http://xavier.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/logon.html
2. Read these instructions.
3. Set up an account in ILLiad.
4. Have your MyXU user name and password handy as you will need them to create your ILLiad account.

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. There are also exceptions for online students. If you are an online students read these FAQs.