How do I use the library catalog?
How do I find material using a call number?
How do I evaluate Internet resources?
How do I use subject headings to search for material?
How do I find Bible related subject headings?
How do I take my research topic and use it to find library material?
How do I understand Library of Congress (LC) Classification?
How do I use the library catalog?
Select the type of search (Subject, Keyword, Call number, etc.) from the main menu by either choosing the highlighted letter (such as ‘A’ for author search) OR by using the arrow keys to highlight your choice and pressing Enter.
In the results screen, use the arrow keys to move up and down the list; pressing Enter takes you into a specific record. The escape (Esc) key always takes you back one screen.
Materials that have (ref) after their call numbers cannot be checked out of the library. They are marked on the spine with a blue dot and shelved separately in the reference ranges, before the regular collection shelving begins. Note: reference material call numbers beginning with BS are shelved in the library conference room.
How do I find material using a call number?
Our library uses the Library of Congress system, most commonly used in an academic library. A call number has multiple parts that must be understood line by line. As an example, here is how to read the call number for Norman Geisler’s ‘I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist,’ BT1103 .G45 2004.
BT1103 à Letters of the alphabet and WHOLE numbers. For example, on the shelf would be call numbers beginning with B, then BF, then BT, then BV. After you’ve located the correct letters, the numbers are then in order as well. First 1000, then 1100, then 1300. A decimal is part of the whole number, so 1200.4 is before 1200.56, and both of those are before 1200.7.
.G45 à Letters of the alphabet and DECIMAL numbers. You still look alphabetically, so B, then D, then G, then P. Read the number as a decimal, so .35 before .4, then .5, then .788.
2004 à Year. Most call numbers end in a year. They are shelved in chronological order.
So, to find Dr. Geisler’s book, you would first locate the BT’s. Then the BT1103’s. Then the BT1103 .G’s, and then the BT1103 .G45. If there is more than one BT1103 .G45, you would then look for the last part, the year 2004.
How do I evaluate Internet resources?
WHO: Who created the webpage? Is the source of the information easily ascertained? Is the person or institution responsible for the information qualified to comment on the topic? For example, a webpage with medical content should be created or reviewed by doctors, researchers, or other healthcare professionals.
WHAT: What is being presented on the webpage? How accurate is the content? Are any sources given for statistics or quotes? Is the webpage content someone’s opinion, or is it fact?
WHEN: How current is the webpage and its information? Is there a date given for when the webpage was last updated? Does it apply to the entire website, or only portions (webpages) of it?
WHERE: Take a look at the website address. Is it commercial (.com)? Sponsored by the United States government (.gov)? Keep in mind that other suffixes, like .uk for the United Kingdom, or .ca for Canada, imply a non-U.S. source of information. Finally, be careful when using .edu websites. The .edu suffix is used by educational institutions (like www.ses.edu!), but as Internet use becomes more popular, many universities host personal student webpages. The content on these webpages should not be viewed as having the same authority as pages created by university colleges, departments, and faculty.
How do I use subject headings to search for material?
Your first question my be, why use subject headings at all? Aren’t Keyword searches enough? Keyword searches are great. In fact, even after you understand the importance of subject headings, we’ll still tell you to start with a Keyword search because that’s going to help you locate relevant subject headings.
Libraries use subject headings to describe material in the collection. However, there are many synonyms that can be used to describe the same thing. For example, think of how many ways you could describe a pair of jeans. Denim? Pants? Blue clothing? Casualwear? Cotton? Subject headings exist so that there is ONE descriptor used, and any synonyms would then direct you to that descriptor.
So, in the catalog you can start with a Keyword search. You can find subject headings by looking in relevant records. OR, if you know relevant subject headings from prior research, you can use the Subject search in the catalog directly.
Remember, subject headings control synonyms used in descriptions. But be willing to use MORE THAN ONE subject heading that may apply to your research topic! Subject headings can be quite narrow, and material often has more than one relevant subject heading listed. For example, in the catalog the subject headings ‘Mormon Church,’ ‘Smith, Joseph – 1805-1844,’ and ‘Book of Mormon,’ will all return material related to the Mormons.
How do I find Bible related subject headings?
There is a lot of material out there related to the Bible, and many, many ways to classify it. The Library of Congress system uses subject headings related to both the entire Bible, and parts of it.
The Entire Bible
Subject headings for the entire Bible range from Bible – Abridgements all the way to Bible – Versions. For example (NOT a complete listing):
Bible – Biography
Bible – Canon
Bible – Concordances
Bible – Criticism, Textual
Bible – Evidences, authority, etc.
Bible – Inspiration
Parts of the Bible
Subject headings for parts of the Bible are multi-part. For example (again, NOT a complete listing):
Bible. N.T. Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Bible. N.T. Gospels
Bible. N.T. Hebrews – Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Bible. O.T. Pentateuch
Bible. O.T. Psalms – Criticism, interpretation, etc.
The Library of Congress subject headings are listed in the three large red volumes in the dictionary stand (end of the stacks, opposite Ron Jordahl’s office). Subject headings are listed in alphabetical order. If an entry says ‘USE’ and refers to another subject heading, look up that subject heading. For example, Second Coming of Christ USE Second Advent). Additional information on abbreviations can be found in the front of each volume. If you do a Keyword search, or a Subject search, and your search terms aren’t resulting in anything you find useful, please ask the library staff for help.
How do I take my research topic and use it to find library material?
When searching the library catalog and using Library of Congress subject headings, it is often useful to think ABOUT your topic. Don’t limit yourself to ONE phrasing of it. For example, say you’re interested about researching the Second Coming of Christ. Material with any of these subject headings may contain relevant information:
Second Advent (used by LC instead of Second Coming or Parousia)
Eschatology
Judgment Day
Millenium
Rapture (Christian Eschatology)
Jesus Christ
Tribulation (Christian Eschatology)
End of the world
Antichrist
Theology, Doctrinal
Once you begin researching, don’t be afraid to let your ideas of the topic evolve. You might end up narrowing or broadening your search as you go along.
As always, if you get ‘stuck’ in your search, ask the library staff for help.
How do I understand Library of Congress (LC) Classification?
The letters used at the beginning of call numbers are:
A General Works
B Philosophy, Psychology, Religion (See below)
C Auxiliary Sciences of History
D History (General) and History of Europe
E History: America
F History: America
G Geography, Anthropology, Recreation
H Social Sciences
J Political Science
K Law
L Education
M Music and Books on Music
N Fine Arts
P Language and Literature
Q Science
R Medicine
S Agriculture
T Technology
U Military Science
V Naval Science
Z Bibliography, Library Science,
Information Resources (general)
B includes:
B Philosophy (general)
BC Logic
BD Speculative Philosophy
BF Psychology
BH Aesthetics
BJ Ethics
BL Religions. Mythology. Rationalism.
BM Judaism
BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc.
BQ Buddhism
BR Christianity
BS The Bible
BT Doctrinal Theology
BV Practical Theology
BX Christian Denominations