Finding Books in the Library: A Guide

Search the library's catalog to find books

Start at the Library's homepage: gustavus.edu/library and click the yellow button that says Search Library Resources and Services. You'll see a search box titled Search for materials. Enter your search terms in that box. Note: if your search phrase doesn’t find relevant materials, try related keywords to see if it works better. And consult our Search Tips page!

Check the book's availability, location, and call number

• The catalog tells us the we're looking for book is available AND that it is located at:
  •  Gustavus Adolphus College, Gustavus Library General Collection   PR6120.C53 C452 2019

• “General Collection” is the location information you need for step 3.

• “PR6120.C53 C452 2019” is the unique number assigned to this book. This number will also be printed on the spine label of the book.

                                                                                 Image: Screenshot of the Children of Ruin catalog record.

Consult the Library Directory, located near the entrance, directly across from the Information Desk OR ask the Information Desk workers for directions.

• Our book's unique call number begins with PR and is in the General Collection, so we need to find the corresponding PR section of the General Collection in the directory. This section is on the main floor, chapel side.
• Most - but not all - books are in the General Collection. The directory (or any library employee) can tell you where to find books in other collections, like Reference, Browsing, or Young Adult.​​​​​​

Look for the call number signs on the side of shelves to direct you further. 

• Every shelf in the library has a sign with the first letter of the call number range it contains.  

Consult the cards on the sides of the shelf to narrow your search.

• Each shelf contains a card showing the exact range of books on that shelf.
• The shelf below has books with call numbers from PR 6053 (top of shelf nearest you) to PR 8868 (end of bottom shelf furthest from you). Our book will be somewhere on this shelf.

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         Image: Shelf signs with the letter "P."

                                                                                                    Image: Card on the side of a shelf indicating the call number range.

Use the call number to locate your book on the shelf

• Once you're near the right area, use the full call number to locate your book. Here are some tips about call numbers:
  • If your call number starts with a single letter, like H, it will be at the very start of the H section, even before call numbers that start with double letters, like HA.
  • Call numbers use both whole numbers and decimals. PR 610 is actually miles away from PR 6120.
  • Letters following the first whole number are also alphabetized. So PR 6120.C comes after PR 6120.A but before PR 6120.D 
  • Some books won't have call numbers on their spine. This is because they're too thin and the call number will be on the cover.
• Fun fact: Gustavus uses the Library of Congress classification system, which means that all of the books are arranged by subject, and each subject is assigned a letter. Be sure to browse nearby books to find other titles related to your topic.

Remember, it does take some persistence and practice to find books in our library. The Information Desk workers are more than happy to help you find books.

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                                           Image: Shelf of books in our call number range.                                                                  Image: Children of Ruin book