Tips for searching for books using  the Advanced Search feature in Library Search (the search box on WMU Libraries' home page)

• To search for a book whose title you know: Select Title from the drop-down menu, then type the title in the search box, then click Search
• To search for books by a specific author: Select Author rom the drop-down menu, then click Search
• To search for books by topic: Type your keyword(s) into the search box(es), then click Search
• When searching for a phrase:  Put quotation marks around the phrase (example:  "voter turnout")
• To find variants of a word:  Use an asterisk  *  to pick up variant endings of a word (for example, politi* will retrieve politics, political, politician, politicization, etc.)

Remember: To limit your search results to books, before your search select Books as the material type for the search will retrieve, or after your search, limit the results to Books. 

To search for books beyond what WMU Libraries own, use: 

To obtain materials you find in MelCat: Request them through MelCat OR through WMU Libraries Interlibrary Loan

To obtain materials you find in WorldCat: Request them through WMU Libraries Interlibrary Loan

Use the WorldCat databse  to identify books on your topic. WorldCat included books at WMU as well as other libraries throughout the country. Use the interlibrary loan system to request delivery of books to your address.

Google Books can be a good source for electronic versions of books.