Once you’ve found a book in the catalog that you’re interested in,
click on the book’s title to see more information on the full record page.
In the “Location” tab at the bottom of the screen,
you’ll find all of the information you need
to locate the book in the libraries,
including whether it’s available or checked out.
Since NC State has two main libraries and several branch libraries,
it is important to look in the correct building.
The location tab will have a separate section
for each library that has a copy of the book.
Under each library’s name is the book’s location within that library.
In this example, you can see the book is in D. H. Hill,
with a location of “Stacks (4th floor)”.
The stacks, or bookstacks,
is the area of the building where the books are stored for easy access.
The next piece of information you see is the call number,
which tells you exactly where it’s located within the library.
You’ll want to write it down,
or you can use the text or email options in the book’s record page
to view it on your phone or tablet.
Once you make your way to the right library,
it’s time to find the book in the stacks.
If you don’t know how to get to the stacks,
ask any library staff.
Once you’re in the stacks,
you will see call number ranges
posted at the end of each row of books,
listing the first and last call numbers in that row.
To find the row that contains your book,
first look at the letters at the beginning of the call number.
These are organized alphabetically.
So in this example, we want to find the HE section.
When you are in the right section of letters,
then look at the next number.
The number to the book we want to find is 9713.
Here is the appropriate row of books
since HE9713 is after HE5614.2 and before HF53.
Now, you’ll need to look at the spines of the books
for the call numbers to find the HE9713 section.
The next letter after the decimal point is in alphabetical order.
Then each of the numbers following this letter
are treated as a decimal number,
so .M628 will be between .M62 and .M63.
Here is the book you want.
If you have any trouble locating the book,
ask a librarian for help.
What if the location information
doesn’t list the stacks as the book’s location?
The two most common examples of this
are books that are stored in the bookBot at the Hunt Library
and course materials that are on reserve.
For books in the bookBot,
the status will say “Available upon Request”.
To retrieve the book,
simply click the “Request item” link.
You will be asked to log in and choose the library
where you would like to pick up the book.
The book will be held at the main desk
in the NCSU library of your choice.
You can also request to have books sent from one library to another
by clicking the request link on the book’s record page.
Textbooks and other course materials will have a status of “Available -- On Reserve”.
This status means that while the book is available,
there are restrictions on the amount of time you can use the book.
Textbooks will have “Textbook Collection” listed as the location.
To get a book on reserve,
note the library listed in the location information.
Then ask for the book at the main service desk for that library,
and a staff member will retrieve it for you.
Remember, if you ever need help finding a book,
we’re available via chat, phone, text, or in person.
Just ask a librarian!