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Getting to Know Purdue Libraries

Introductory guide to Purdue Libraries spaces, services, and resources.

Searching for Books

To begin your search for books, 

  1. Visit the Libraries' website to access the online catalog.
  2. Select Books & Media from the drop-down menu.
  3. Use the search box to search by title or keyword.
  4. Click the Search button to run the search.

arrows showing to first select Books & Media from drop-down, then type into search box, then click search

From the results page, use the filters on the the left to tweak your results. For example, you can limit your search to show only materials Available Online.

book search results and filters

Searching for Journals

To access the Online Journal Search, click Online Journals link on the Libraries' homepage.

arrow pointing to the online journals link below the search box

From the Online Journals search, you can search by category or search for a specific journal or article by title or DOI.

online journal search options

Searching for Articles

To begin your search for articles, 

  1. Visit the Libraries' website to access the online catalog.
  2. Select Articles from the drop-down menu.
  3. Use the search box to search by title or keyword.
  4. Click the Search button to run the search.

arrows showing to first select Articles from drop-down, then type into search box, then click search

From the results page, use the filters on the the left to tweak your results. For example, you can limit your search to show only Articles from Peer-reviewed Journals.

article search results and filters

Requesting Physical (Print) Materials

Most print materials can be requested to be placed on hold for a specific patron. "On hold" simply means that the material is set aside, usually at the front desk of a selected library, for a short period of time until the requestor can check it out. It can be a good way to ensure that the materials you're interested will be available for you to check out when you go to look for them and saves time since you don't have to browse the shelves yourself. 

To request an item, you'll need to click on the "Physical Available at..." link from the catalog listing.

catalog listing with arrow pointing to the physical available at link needed to request material

Note: If you don't see this link, it's likely the item is not available to be placed on hold. 

The following screen will show you the item location and whether or not the item is loanable, or available for check out.

To access the request options, you'll need to click on the Sign in link and sign in using your Purdue Career account login information.

catalog listing with a square around the location information and an arrow pointing to the sign in link

 

Once signed in, you'll be be able to view request options. To submit a hold request, click on the Request link. 

catalog listing with an arrow pointing to the request link

Fill out the request form by choosing a pickup location, then click on the Send Request link to submit your request. Be sure to enter the correct mailing address when choosing Personal Delivery.

request form with required field circled, annotation for the address field, and an arrow pointing to the submission link

Once the request has been filled, you'll receive an email that the item(s) you requested are available for pickup or being prepared for shipment based on the selection you made.

successful material request message

Searching for Databases

The Libraries' provides access to an extensive list of subscription databases on our A-Z Database List

  1. To access the A-Z Database List, visit the Libraries' homepage. 
  2. Then, click on the Databases link located below the Library Search box.

arrow pointing to Databases link below the search box