There are 4 main ways you can locate and access books.

1. AU Library Catalog (includes the AU Main Library, Ashbrook collection, and Seminary holdings)
2. OhioLINK Catalog-locate books at the 120+ OhioLINK libraries either to pick up or to request for delivery to a participating OhioLINK library.
3. WorldCat-Includes books and other media in libraries worldwide.  Used for locating materials; requests are placed through interlibrary loan.
4. Electronic Books-Can access 24/7. Will need to log in to view.  Limited print permission.

 Your Library Record  

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.   Use it with synonyms and with alternate spellings. 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

Mexico -- History -- Conquest, 1519-1540

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives, Confederate

 Ashland University Library is a member of OhioLINK, the state-wide academic library consortium. As a member of OhioLINK, Ashland students have the ability to borrow from over 300 academic and public libraries across Ohio. The combined libraries hold over 46 million items! Shared resources means AU can offer library materials comparable to the world's largest univeristies.  

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. 

Search the OhioLINK Catalog   

Map and locations of OhioLINK Libraries

OhioLINK Policies and Overdue Fines

 Many Ohio authored dissertations and theses are available electronically or can be borrowed through the OhioLINK Electronic Theses & Dissertations Center. (OETD)

NOTE: Please consider publishing your MHAG thesis to the OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center.  If interested, please contact the Library at library@ashland.edu or Carrie Halquist at chalquis@ashland.edu  We would welcome your publication!

The OETD database may be searched by university, department, author, or keyword. 

Examples:

 "A complicated scene of difficulties": North Carolina and the revolutionary settlement, 1776-1789. 

 Connecticut Unscathed: Victory in The Great Narragansett War (King Philip’s War), 1675-1676. 

Netta Taylor and the Divided Ohio Home Front, 1861-1865.

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: