There are 4 main ways you can locate and access books.
Use this link to check your OhioLINK orders and renew books.
This process only works for material that is not overdue. If items are overdue, you will need to call our circulation desk 419.289.5400 and ask for a renewal.
Some general search tips for databases, book catalogs and search engines such as Google:
You can narrow your search by inserting AND between words. Example: sojourner truth AND ohio
You can expand your search by inserting OR between words. Example: chippewa OR ojibwa. You can also combine ANDs and ORs. Example: (ojibwa OR chippewa) AND settlement
Use simple words, not sentences. (Not “the pros and cons of gun control” but simply “gun control” Or, narrow it down to “gun control” AND economics, or “gun control” AND crime.
Put quotes or parentheses around phrases when you want to retrieve all of the words, in the exact order given. Example: " works progress administration”
You can use an * to retrieve multiple variants of a word with one efficient search. Example: teach*retrieves results with teach, teaches, teacher, teachers, teaching, or teachable
You will have better results if you do not limit yourself to one idea. Using broader and narrower keywords, you can fine-tune your search.
Do a quick search in the library catalog.
Go to AU Library Catalog
Keyword Search
· Uses natural language. Type a word or phrase. .
· With keyword you can search for simply “france” or for (france OR french) or for (france OR french) AND history. It can be useful to start with a keyword search and use the results to identify the subject headings.
Subject Search
· Requires specific Library of Congress Subject Headings. The words have to be typed in the exact order used by Library of Congress. You cannot use AND or OR.
Examples of Library of Congress Subject Headings
Ethnology -- Ireland -- Tory Island.
National characteristics, Scottish -- Historiography
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives, Confederate
Ashland University Library is a member of OhioLINK, the state-wide academic library consortium. If you live in Ohio or close to the border, OhioLINK provides an efficent method to borrow books. The OhioLINK catalog includes material from 2 public library systems, the State Library of Ohio, and most Ohio university & college libraries. You may borrow materials from the OhioLINK catalog and have the material delivered to any of the 87 OhioLINK libraries closer to your home, including most Ohio college libraries, Cuyahoga Public Library branches & the Westerville Public Library. Locate the book you need in the OhioLINK catalog and click on the Request link. Select AU as your institution, type in your name & AU ID number, pick-up institution, and pick-up location. It normally takes 3-4 days for items to arrive at the designated pick-up location. You may return to any OhioLINK library. This service is not used to request articles.
Go to the OhioLINK Catalog
The dissertations found in the database Proquest Theses & Dissertations (formerly Dissertation Abstracts) may be purchased from Proquest in a variety of formats ($32 per pdf file) or can often be obtained through our Interlibrary Loan Service. More recent dissertations allow free access to a 24 page preview. Ashland University dissertations are available electronically, free of charge.
Reference books are located on the Main Floor and must be used in the library. They are a wonderful starting point for any research and provide an overview of topics and issues. Reference books frequently include a bibliography that may lead you to other useful resources. Selected Reference Books:
