The UVM Libraries collect books and eBooks across a range of subject areas that support teaching, learning, and research at the University. You can find books by searching, browsing, and using one source to find another.
If you need to search beyond UVM...
CATQuest is available on the main page of the library website. You can also use this quick search box to jump right in using a name, title, or subject that fits your topic.
To search by "keyword," use descriptive terms that fit your topic, but avoid entering full sentences or long phrases. Use quotation marks to keep a phrase together. Brainstorm relevant terms. Sometimes it helps to start simple.
Combine concepts in your search using AND as a connector term (in all caps when using CatQuest). Use OR to link synonyms or terms where either word is desirable. Using AND will narrow your results. Using OR will broaden them. Combine both by grouping OR phrases in parentheses.
science fiction AND adaptation
Harlem Renaissance AND (poetry OR plays)
You can try the Boolean Connector NOT to filter out undesirable terms if you get a lot of irrelevant results. But use it sparingly! It can remove good results from your list.
Know what book you want? Change the Search filters in CatQuest to search by words in the Author field and/or Title field. You can also change the second drop-down from "contains" to "exact phrase" or "starts with" for more precision.
Subject headings are a type of "controlled vocabulary" used to classify what a book is about. Searching by subject can give you focused results and can sometimes be more effective than keyword searching alone.
To search by subject in the catalog:
Subject search tips:
Start with a general -- but somewhat specific -- subject in order to see what subject headings are used in the catalog. For instance, "Gothic literature" is better than just "Literature," which may be too broad. You can also use the "Material Type" drop-down menu on the right to limit your search to just one type of source. In this example, I want to see only physical books we have in the library, so I selected "Books - Print."
Keep the second drop-down item on "contains" to find items that use your search term somewhere in their list of Subject Headings. Experiment with "exact phrase" or "starts with" options to see the differences in your results.
Browse the results and click on a book title to see all the subject headings and subdivisions applied to that book or article. The words you used in your search will be highlighted for you.
Click on other subject headings and subdivisions to see more related items. These lists may help you discover broader or narrower headings to search. For example:
Names, places, titles, characters, and themes can also be Subject headings.
* Use "Author" or "Title" instead of "Subject" in the field drop-down if you are looking for a specific book by its title or author.
If you're having trouble searching by Subject in CATQuest, start with a basic keyword search.
Each book in the library has a unique call number. Like an address, the call number tells us where the book is located in the library.
The Howe Library uses the Library of Congress Classification system for our call numbers. This system arranges books according to what they are about, so that books on the same topic are shelved together.
Call numbers are made up of letters and numbers that follow a pattern: a letter (or letters), followed by a number, followed by one or two letter-number groups, followed by the year of publication.
In the LC Classification System for Literature, here is a sampling of how the call number begins for different categories of literature:
P Language and Literature
PN General Literature
PR English Literature
PS American Literature
Each part of the call number moves from broader categories like these, to more specific subjects within those categories.
For example: Books by and about Toni Morrison begin with the call number PS3563 .O8749. (The O here is the letter O, not the number zero.) The numbers following those alphanumeric groups represent more specific topics pertaining to Morrison's life and work.
When you find a book in the catalog, you'll need the entire call number. The catalog record also displays the location and floor of the book, and whether the book is available or checked out to someone else. (For electronic books and journal articles, look for full-text options or links to databases.)
Howe Library books that can be checked out are generally found on the 2nd Floor (call numbers A-F) and the 3rd Floor (call numbers G-Z). Other locations in Howe include Reference (1st floor), Quarto (oversize shelves on 2nd and 3rd floors), and Govt. Information (Ground floor).
Use the range labels to find the right row. Call numbers appear on book spine labels. Locate your book by reading one line at a time.
If you can't find a book on the shelf, ask at the Reference Desk or the Circulation Desk. We're here to help!
In addition to the Reference books listed in this guide, the library collection includes many books about books. In addition to searching for your particular book or author, you can try placing your book in the broader context of the history of books and reading. Here are a few examples that you might use to help you explore.
A History of the Book in America
by
Silenced in the Library: Banned books in America
by
Reading in America: Literature & social history
by
