| LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AND CALL NUMBERS |
| USING AN ELECTRONIC LIBRARY CATALOG |
| LINKS TO LIBRARY CATALOGS |
| REQUESTING A BOOK |
| BOOKS ON THE INTERNET |
Next in your research process, you should locate books on your specific topic. In order to do this you should have an understanding of the Library of Congress Classification System so you will know how to read the call numbers in order to locate the books you want.
An electronic library catalog will help you locate your book by its author, subject, title, or key word. The library catalog you choose to use will depend upon your location. We have provided you links to the DCCCD libraries and to other academic and public libraries worldwide. Books that are difficult to locate may be found using WorldCat, an index to books and other materials in libraries worldwide. WorldCat is one of the databases in FirstSearch, accessible through the Online Databases.
If you are a distance learner needing to request a book, you may do so through the "Ask A Librarian" button on our list of resources. Before submitting a request, be sure to read the complete explanation, including links, offered here in our section below titled "Requesting A Book".
At the present time, the Internet is not terribly useful in providing the full-text of books that would be beneficial for most research projects. Most of the full-text books on the Internet are fiction offerings that have become public domain. However, we have listed links for what is available.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AND CALL NUMBERS
Library of Congress Classification System
Academic libraries use the Library of Congress Classification system to arrange books on the shelves. Each book has a unique call number that begins with one, two, or three capital letters followed by numbers. Also, see the chart by the Richland College Library titled: Library of Congress Classification: Major Subject Divisions. In this system all books are shelved together according to the major subject content, without regard to the fact that the book may be fiction, non-fiction, or biographical. The Library of Congress system is quite different from the Dewey Decimal System used by school and public libraries.
If you want to determine an area for a specific subject, look at Brief Index to Library of Congress Classification. This guide begins with subjects like Accounting, Advertising, Agriculture through Theater, Typing, Writing, Zoology.
Call Numbers
Library of Congress call numbers can be confusing. Usually they contain a letter or letters followed by whole numbers, and then a letter followed by decimal numbers.
We recommend that you look at the explanation offered from the University of Hawaii Libraries and at another titled How to Read a Call Number.
USING AN ELECTRONIC LIBRARY CATALOG
What is the difference between natural language and controlled vocabulary? What is a cross-reference? Before you begin using an electronic library catalog, learn the terms and concepts you will need. Searching a catalog by subject heading can be a frustrating experience if you've chosen a term that is not one that is recognized by the controlled vocabulary of the Library of Congress. In this case, you'll be better off to try a keyword search with your term.
| Concepts and Terms Used in Searching Electronic Library Catalogs |
| Understanding Subject Headings and Keyword Searching |
The DCCCD Library Catalog is an online public access catalog, or OPAC, for all library materials in the Dallas County Community Colleges. Included in the catalog are books (monographs), titles of serials, video and audio materials, films, etc. After linking to the opening page of this site, click on the red button for "Library Catalog" to begin searching.
Search by Author, Title, Subject, Keyword, or by Author/Title combination. "Other Searches" are used for searches by call number. For a more detailed explanation for using the DCCCD Catalog click here.
NOTE: Most library catalogs are equipped with help screens and examples. Study them carefully.
If you are a distance learner, enrolled on a DCCCD course, you can request books to be sent to you.
Distance learners should be aware that this is not an "overnight" process. Because books will need to be mailed, requesting and receiving books or materials using our service may take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.
If you are a distance learner residing in the Dallas area, you will probably want to go to the library at your nearest DCCCD campus where you can check out and request, in person, books and materials from any campus in the DCCCD.
If you are a remote distance learner and time is an important factor, you should try to get the books you need at your nearest library. WorldCat can be used to help you locate a library in your area that owns the item you are wanting. For each title in the WorldCat database, you can choose to view a screen that lists the names of the libraries where the particular item is owned.
When you borrow books from the DCCCD or other libraries through our service, you are personally responsible for the safety, proper use and return of all library materials charged to you. Failure to return library materials will result in a "block" being place on your record. If this occurs, you cannot check out additional books, order a transcript, or register for additional courses. You must pay for the replacement cost of lost or damaged materials plus a $10.00 processing fee.
Reference books, periodicals, and college catalogs are for library use only, not to be checked out.
If you are requesting a book from any of the campus libraries in the DCCCD that appear in the DCCCD Library Catalog, this is called an inter-campus loan. This request function is available as a button at the top and the bottom of each individual item record screen in the DCCCD library catalog. This button appears as shown below.
When using this function, be sure to select the campus location most convenient for your pick-up location. You will be called to come and pick up your book when it arrives.
Books from the DCCCD libraries may be checked out for a 3-week period and renewed for an additional 3 weeks. Distance learners may check out up to 5 books at a time, whereas on-campus students may check out up to 10 books at a time.
If you are requesting a book from a library outside of the DCCCD that you may have found in WorldCat, this is called an inter-library loan. This function is available to you by clicking on the yellow ILL button on the DCCCD Library Catalog introductory screen.
Be sure to choose the most convenient DCCCD library location for your pick-up location. You will be called to come in to pick up your book when it arrives.
Usually, books from other libraries may be checked out for 3 to 4 weeks and the renewal policy varies according to the particular library. Five books at a time may be requested.
You should submit your request through the Ask A Librarian function. In the box provided for the reference question, just submit your request for the book you want. You will need to know the author, the title of the book, and the date of publication. Your request will be processed, and you will receive the materials you want in a matter of 2 to 4 weeks.
The reality about books on the Internet is that only a small percent of the books that exist in print are on the Internet. The majority of books that you will find on the Internet are novels (usually classics) that have become part of the public domain. There are few, if any, full-text books on the Internet that deal with the types of topics that most students would be researching. Therefore, Internet texts of books are of very little value to students for most research purposes.
The following list contains links to Internet sites for full-texts of books online.
- netLibrary - this collection includes thousands of public-domain eBooks, available free of charge to registered netLibrary users. In order to access these books, you must enter the site through the DCCCD databases page where you can select netLibrary. Once you have established an account, you can search or browse the entire Reading Room collection by author, title, or subject view available eBooks online, download eBooks from the Reading Room collection to your computer, create bookshelves and establish links to your favorite titles.
- The Internet Public Library Online Texts Collection - The IPL Online Texts Collection contains over 10,000 titles.
- The On-Line Books Page - 17,000+ listings edited by John Mark Ockerbloom. Also see Banned Books Online - from the Online Books Page.
- Project Gutenberg - an extensive and comprehensive program designed to bring all the important world literature together online.