Your college library offers excellent online tutorials and classes on locating information for your research topic. The following examples from the Peninsula Library System's iPac catalog will familiarize you with the the look and feel of the online library catalog. For in-depth information use your college library web page tutorials: Cañada | College of San Mateo | Skyline
Subject Searching
When a book or other item is added to a library's collection, a specialist known as a cataloger examines it and decides what that book is about. The cataloger must describe the subject content of that book as completely as possible by using standardized, officially approved words or groups of words known as subject headings.
Do a subject search when you want to know if the library has any books on a subject that interests you.
Examples:
global warming
biotechnology
child abuse
railroads
internet
multiculturalism
* In general, slang, jargon, and highly specialized terminology are avoided in subject headings in favor of standard English. For example, drunkenness will not be found under terms such as "smashed," "bombed," or "wasted." Valid headings for drunkenness include ALCOHOL ABUSE, ALCOHOL DRINKING, and SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
Do a Subject Search:
STEP1: Go to the Peninsula Library System Catalog . Wait a few moments for the catalog to load.
STEP2: After seeing the iPac welcome screen, you will be in the Online Catalog - Basic tab.
STEP3: In the box labeled "Search," click on the down arrow, scroll down to "Subject Key Words" and click once.
STEP4: Move the cursor into the box labeled "Enter a word or phrase" and type Palace of Knossos.
STEP 5: You are now being shown a list of all the books attached to those subject keywords.You can reorder the display list by selecting:
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STEP 6: Then, you can either add a book to your list or request the item.
STEP 7: Write Down The Call number
Once you have a specific title displayed, you can write down the call number. A call number is a combination of letters and numbers assigned to a book to indicate its shelving location. It is an "address" that allows you to find that item in the library. Call numbers are found on the spine of the book and on the full display of bibliographic records. This arrangement is intended to be convenient for library users since books on the same subject are placed together on the same shelf.
