How to Find and Evaluate Books
The surest way to find books is to search the UCLA Library catalog and other online catalogs. The box to the right links to and gives a description of the various available catalogs. The boxes below it gives tips for general book searching.
TIP! Write down the call numbers and locations of books. Also note if the status says checked out or not.
Here are some other tips for locating and evaluating books:
- How to Evaluate BooksThe UCLA Library and other libraries hold all sorts of books. Some are scholarly, while others are more popular in nature. Many are written objectively, while some are written from a biased viewpoint. Before doing your research, figure out what kind of books you need and learn how to evaluate books.
- How to Read Call Numbers in the UCLA LibraryYou will need the books' call numbers to find them in the stacks. Learn how to read them and how you can use them to find other books on your topic.
- Find It! BooksPart of the Road to Research tutorial, this section teaches you how to find books and to interpret catalog records.
- Powell Library Floor PlansIf your book is located in the Powell Library, check this map to find out where your call number is located. (Note that graphic novels, recent fiction, and travel books are in designated areas on the 2nd floor of Powell Library.)
- Young Research Library Floor PlansCheck to see where your call number is located.
E-Books
Online books owned by UCLA are listed in the Library Catalog along with print books. Alternately you can search directly on one of the major e-book sites (with the caveat that we don't subscribe to everything they list).
Tips for General Book Searching
When searching for books, there are a few useful starting strategies to keep in mind:
*Searching a library catalog is different from searching Google or full text databases. The data provided is usually quite basic and includes title, author, subject, and sometimes table of contents. You may need to broaden your search or try alternate keywords (e.g., synonyms or related terms) before finding books on a particular topic.
*Most library catalogs DO NOT contain articles or article indexing. Instead, they will tell you if the library has a subscription to a specific journal or magazine and if this includes any electronic access. Use an article database to find specific journal articles.
*If you already have a relevant book or article in hand, use its bibliography to find other sources on the same topic.
*If you find a relevant book in the catalog, look at the subject headings (under Subject(s)). Most books are assigned subject headings, and if you click on a heading, it will lead you to a list of books on that same topic.
*If you have the call number of a relevant book, you can also look in the stacks and browse through nearby books. As books are given call numbers by subject, the books near it are often on the same topic.
*Do a subject word (not just a keyword) search in a catalog. The Research Library has print copies of Library of Congress subject headings available, and advanced researchers may also want to consult the LC Authorities catalog to locate subject headings on different topics.
Note: Due to major space restrictions in the Library, note that some materials may be located at the Southern Regional Library Facility, or SRLF. These can usually be requested via the UCLA Library Catalog and are usually available for pickup within 48 hours at one of the UCLA Libraries. If the Library does not own a book, it can usually be requested through interlibrary loan.
Recommend a New Book
Is there a reference resource that you think the library should have?
- Suggest a Purchase from UCLA LibraryUse this form for Library purchase requests that are separate from instruction use requests for Instructional Media Collections & Services. Choose location by subject.