You may be able to borrow a library book using a guest borrower card (you must be over 18 years old; see requirements) or through a special arrangement with your school.
Even if you are not able to borrow books, you are free to read our books in the library. Follow the instructions below to find books.
Finding books in our library can be confusing. Ask for help from a library staff member if you are having trouble.
See the Library Search tab for tips on searching our collections.
In your results, physical books will show availability, library location, and call number under them. You can also select the book to open its catalog page and see more information (or example, if multiple editions or library locations exist).
In the image above, the book is available (it is not checked out), it is in the Waldo Library General Stacks (most of the books you find will be here), and the call number is DF221.C8 B564 1985. You should write down the call number before going to look for the book.
Most items in the Waldo General Stacks (bookshelves) are organized using the Library of Congress system. This is a set of letter and number groups. Start with the first group of letters: this will tell you what floor of the library to go to. Use one of the directories posted on walls around the library to find the floor for your call number. In the above example, you would look for DF, which is on the 2nd floor.
Your first time navigating the stacks, it is easiest to ask a library staff member to help you.
To find the book yourself, travel to the floor you need and walk through the stacks looking at the signs on the ends of the bookcases. These show which range of call numbers they hold. The books are arranged in alphanumeric order. First find the range with the first block of letters and number (e.g., DF221), then look for the second part of the call number, then the third.
You can also refer to the Waldo Library maps to locate your call number.
If you have borrowing privileges, you can check out your book at the front service desk.
If you are not checking out the book, do not attempt to reshelve it yourself. You can leave it in a book reshelf cart (these are scattered throughout the library) or hand it to someone at the service desk.