Browsing for Materials

Sometimes the catalog isn't the best way to search. If you have only a general research idea, just looking at items on the shelves may be more useful.

The call numbers group books or media into subject areas, so try browsing around a useful call number area. Sometimes the best sources are ones you just run across. (See the study guide, Library Classification System.)

You don't actually have to be in the library to browse. You can do a similar kind of browsing from your home computer or any other computer that can access the Library catalog.

If you find a call number that is useful, do a Call Number search in the Library Catalog. You will see the titles at all the ACC libraries in order by the call number, and thus by topic.

TIP: Do not type in the entire call number, just the beginning letters. This will allow you to see similar items about that topic.