Finding a Book in the Library
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You can find books (and other resources) in the Library on your topic by searching in the main search box at the USC Libraries' homepage. Under Refine my search, Materials Type, limit your results to Books by clicking on check box next to Books, then click Apply Filters. |
Search Tips
To get started, try a keyword search in the big search box at the Libraries' homepage . Keyword searching is less specific than searching Library of Congress subject headings (see box below), but may provide more results. It also depends on knowing the terms an author uses. Need more books? Click over to WorldCat which includes over 54 million entries from more than 45,000 libraries. Place an Interlibrary Loan request for items USC does not have.
These are a few sample keyword searches to give you a start. Be creative: start with your own terms, then use words, phases and subject headings from the works you find to improve your future searches. Use the Developing Keywords tutorial for some practice on identifying efficient keywords for your topic.
- keyword: psych*
- keyword: organization* AND psychology
- keyword: abnormal psych*
- keyword: health psych*
- keyword: evolution* AND behavior*
- keyword: social process*
LC Subject Headings are classifications agreed upon by all US libraries and be an invaluable tool when you are searching for information. While keyword searches may bring up more titles, LC Subject searching can bring up more accurate lists of works specifically related to your field of study. Examples of Subject Headings searches:
- LC Subject: Difference psychology
- LC Subject: Psychophysiology
- LC Subject: Personality
- LC Subject: Women Psychology
- LC Subject: Psychology pathological
- LC Subject: Organizational behavior
- To learn more about LC Subject Headings and authorities, visit: Library of Congress Subject Headings.
And For Items Not Available in Full Text?
To receive articles or books that the library that are not in full text:
- Use the USC Libraries' USC Libraries Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery (IDD) service
- Fill out the form for the type of item you're requesting
- Borrow: book, thesis, microfilm, etc.
- Scan and Deliver: article, book chapter, conference paper
- Hard copies of materials (books and DVDs) will be mailed to your house (distance-based users) or can be picked up at the Leavey library on campus; Electronic materials (book chapters or articles) will be emailed to you as a PDF
For additional information: visit IDD and Home Delivery.
Recommend a Book for Purchase
We encourage USC faculty, staff and currently enrolled students to recommend items for the library's collections. Subject specialist librarians will consider all recommendations and make a final decision on whether to purchase items.
Click here: Recommend a Book