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Finding Books

Searching for library books in the online catalog

Try these simple strategies to locate the books you need.
  1. Keywords: Only enter the key search terms in the search box, not complete sentences (unless you are searching for the title of a book). For example, search for "adolescent behavior", not "how adolescents behave when they are alone".
  2. Spelling: Doublecheck your spelling and see if there are alternate ways to spell your search term.
  3. Synonyms: Brainstorm words with similar meanings and try searching for them. For example, if you are looking for information on adolescents, you may also want to try juvenile, teen, teenager, minor, etc.
  4. Limit: Use the catalog's "Limiters", located on the left side of your search results page, to narrow your search even further by Author, General Topic, Format, Genre, Campus, Person, etc.
 Video Tutorial

You've found a book in the online catalog, now what?

1. If the item is "Available" and the campus is "Hamilton", either write down the Call Number or have it texted to your phone. You will need the Call Number to locate the book on the shelf.
2. If the item is "Available" and it is located at one of the other Miami University Libraries, you can click "Request Item" to have it delivered to the Hamilton campus.
3. If the item does not say "Available", but instead says "Due ...." or "Lib Use Only", you can search in OhioLINK to find an available copy and have it delivered to the Hamilton campus.

Start Finding Books

Below are some starting searches on popular topics to help get you started.

Biographies
Use the search box below to find a biography on a particular person (i.e. "Martin Luther King", or "King, Martin Luther"), or just click "Find Biographies" to browse relevant titles in Rentschler Library's collections. While you are browsing, you can narrow down your search by using the tools in the left column of the Catalog page. Clicking "General Topic" will help you narrow your search using terms like "African American", "Presidents", "Actors", etc.



Ethnographies
Instead of using the term "ethnography", librarians use the classification "ethnology", which can make it difficult to find items. If you are looking for an ethnography on a specific people, try entering in their name as a "Subject" or "Keyword" search. If you cannot locate anything, try checking the spelling to see if there are other ways it can be spelled. Rentschler Library has many ethnographies that are not catalogued as such, so please ask a librarian if you are having trouble locating materials. You can use the search box below to find items cataloged as "ethnologies", or just click the "Find Ethnographies" button to browse our collection.



Fiction
If you're looking for classic or contemporary fiction, you can use the search box below to locate materials in Rentschler Library. If you're looking for books that may be on the current bestseller's list, you may want to try searching Hamilton's Popular Reading Collection.



Graphic Novels
Rentschler's growing collection of graphic novels will appeal to a variety of tastes, whether you are an avid fan of the genre, or even if this is your first time. There is no one "graphic novel area" in Rentschler Library, although several are located in the PN 6700's. Click the button below to browse Rentschler's collection of graphic novels.



Poetry
Whether you're looking for something for class, for personal enjoyment, or to read at our next "Favorite Poem Project", Rentschler Library has a diverse assortment of poetry. Click the "Browse Poetry" button below to see what we have in our collection; once you're on the results page, you can narrow your search by typing in the poet's name, poem title, or a favorite theme.



Popular Reading Collection (Fiction)
You can enter an author or title into the search box below to find bestselling fiction located in Rentschler Library's Popular Reading Collection, or just click the "Find Fiction" to browse what is currently on the shelf.



Reference Collection (Library Use Only)
You can enter a subject into the box below--like careers, nursing, criminal justice,etc.--or just click "Find Reference" to browse Rentschler Library's Reference Collection.




by Dr. Radut.