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  1. 1
    Decide what subject or topic of book you want to read. For example, you wish to read books on genetics or Victorian England.
  2. 2
    Search for the topic in the library's card catalog. This system is most likely computerized so, if you have trouble with this system, ask a librarian for help or have her simply look it up for you.
  3. 3
    Obtain the three or more digit call number contained in a book's entry. Record both the number and the author's last name.
  4. 4
    Go to the shelves and look for the row that contains the call numbers of your book.
  5. 5
    Once in the row, look for the group of books that match your number.
  6. 6
    Look for a spine label that matches both the call number and the author's last name as there are likely more than one book with the same call number. This book will be the one you selected in the card catalog.

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  • If you don't know exactly what book you want, you can browse the call numbers in the general vicinity. Generally, libraries will post the Dewey decimal centuries somewhere... 0 to 99 is General Information and Reference, 100-199 is Philosophy, 200-299 is Religion, etc...
  • Don't be afraid to ask a librarian for help in locating a book. Most librarians would be happy to point you in the right direction.
  • For a specific title that you can't quite remember, talk to the reference librarian. Reference librarians have quite the knack for teasing information out of databases.

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Categories: Borrowing and Sharing Books


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