Each book is assigned a unique call number. The call number tells you the location of a book in the Library the same way a street address tells you how to find a specific house. You will find the call number on the spine of the book.
When you look up a book in the library catalog, you will see the call number for that book. Every call number begins with a letter, such as PS. 245.C23.
To find a book, look at the library directory below or by the elevators. Use the first letter of the book's call number to determine on which floor you will find the book.
LIBRARY DIRECTORY
L Second Floor
Juvenile A-Z Second Floor
AC-E Third Floor
F-K, M Fourth Floor
N-P Fifth Floor
Q-Z Sixth Floor
Oversize Sixth Floor
Click on this link to renew library books and other materials.
Ashland students may borrow books from this library or from a group of more than 100 academic libraries called OhioLINK. You may borrow up to 25 books at one time. You will probably want to start with the Ashland University Library Catalog
Ashland University Library Catalog
If you can't find enough books in our library, you may borrow more from the OhioLINK Catalog. The OhioLINK Catalog includes books and other materials from the 90 academic librarias in the state of Ohio.
OhioLINK Catalog::
Which is better, a subject search or a keyword search? They are both useful. It is usually easier to start with a keyword search. Once you find an an item, you can check the record to see which subject terms are used. Subject words are linked in the record so all you ned to do is click to find similar items.
Keyword Search
Uses natural language. Type a simple keyword or phrase. Put parentheses around phrases. Don't use sentences. You can use AND or OR to narrow your search or expand it. With a keyword search you can search for
haiti
a phrase (dominican republic)
either idea (dominican republic) OR haiti
narrow your search by adding another concept haiti AND religion
Requires specific Library of Congress Subject Headings. The words have to be typed in the exact order used by Library of Congress. They sometimes use Subject Headings words that we wouldn't normally use,
Example: Caribbean literature -- 20th century -- History and criticism.
Employment forecasting -- United States.
The Subject Heading for most books about careers is "vocational guidance." So, to find books about careers you can do a keyword search for the career AND the phrase "vocational guidance."
For example: nursing AND (vocational guidance)
Other keywords to use might be occupation or career. Or you can look for narrower ideas about a career such as training, education, ethics, stress, or compensation.