Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
This UBC Library tutorial introduces how to search for books and media using the
Library catalogue.
You can use the navigation buttons at the bottom of the media player to stop
or pause at any time.
We begin at the library homepage which you'll find at w.w.w.library.
ubc.ca
One of the first things that you'll notice is the general search tab also
called Summon.
Summon searches for books and media but also includes journal articles online theses
and dissertations
items in external repositories like Project Gutenberg and much more.
To learn more about Summon check out our "Using Summon" link in the Research
Help portal under "Finding Resources."
Right next to the general tab you'll see "Books & Media." Click this tab to search in the catalogue.
Unlike Summon the catalogue only searches items in the Library's collection
and while you can find ebooks here
almost everything else that you'll find is a tangible item that you can hold in your hands -
such as print books, government reports,
newspapers,
cds and dvds, maps, musical scores and microforms.
If you need to find one of these types of materials searching the catalogue is the
fastest and easiest way to locate it.
Let's try a simple search.
You can use keywords, title words or author names.
For example, let's try Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake.
Note, you can just type the title in if it's not too common and it will appear at the top of
the results list.
If you're looking for something with common words in the title
like Modern Economic Development
you'll get a lot more results.
Try adding the author name to narrow in on exactly what you want.
And here you go.
One last tip:
If you're looking for a title which begins with the words "a," "an," or "the" in any
language do not include them in your title search.
So type
"Tree Grows in Brooklyn"
and leave the initial "A" off.
In this tutorial we've explored some features of the Library catalogue.
If you're interested in learning about the catalogue's advanced search features and
how to read a catalogue record check out our other tutorial
"Advanced Searching in the UBC Library Catalogue."
You'll find it and many other tutorials about the Library at UBC's YouTube channel in
the Library's Teaching and Learning playlist.
For one-on-one help from a librarian,
or to locate a reference desk click the "Ask an Expert" link.