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This page has been retired. Please visit its replacement: Clinical Essentials Guide
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This page explains how to locate books in the UCSD Libraries and beyond. Whether in print or electronic format, the UCSD Libraries have hundreds of thousands of books to help you with your studying and research needs. You can even request books from other libraries if UCSD does not have what you need.
Use this page to learn how to:
Don't forget to check the right-hand sidebar for tutorials and FAQs:
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There's a link to the catalog on the top of every library web page. You will find print and electronic books in Roger.
The default search screen is a basic keyword search- great when you are starting out your search for books on a new topic. If you know a particular author or title you want to search, you can choose Title or Author from the drop down menu for a more precise search, e.g.:
A keyword search is great when you're starting out, but how do you narrow down all of those results to get a more specific set of books on your topic? Use Subject Headings. Subject Headings draw upon a pre-defined vocabulary so that you can search in a more focused manner. Starting out a new topic, you probably won't know the subject heading terminology to use. A great trick is to do a keyword search, find a few books that seem like what you are looking for and then look closely at the description.The subject headings are the blue hyperlinks midway or so down the page:
If you see a term that seems to match what you are looking for, click on it for a new set of results with that same subject heading.
From your results list, click on the title to view a full record of the book you’ve found in the Roger catalog. There will be three key pieces of information for locating it in the library: Location, Call Number, and Status:
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Tip: Each library will have maps and signs to point you toward the call number you need. Please ask library staff for help if you have any questions. Until you're used to the system, it can seem a bit strange. |
All regular students, staff and faculty at UCSD may check out materials marked “Available” in the Roger catalog. Just bring your books to one of our Circulation Desks or Self-Checkout stations. Your UCSD ID card is also your library card, and the barcode on the back is your library card number.
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ: Checking out Books in the right-hand column of this page.
Help! The book I need isn't here - what can I do? If the the book you need us checked out or just not available through UCSD don't give up! You have options. You may 1) request it from another library or 2) place a hold to put your name on a waiting list for the book.
1) Find and request books from other nearby libraries. You can use two other library catalogs, Circuit or Melvyl, to find books and request delivery to UCSD (free of charge!).
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| Books usually delivered to UCSD Libraries within 48 hours, M-F. | Books usually delivered to UCSD Libraries within a week. |
| Searches the holdings of UC San Diego, SDSU, USD, Cal State San Marcos and the San Diego County Library system. | Searches the holdings of all 10 University of California campuses plus libraries worldwide. |
Link to Circuit and Melvyl from your search results in the UCSD library catalog. Look for the links on the right-hand side of the page:
2) Get on a waiting list for the UCSD copy:
Getting a copy from another library is generally the fastest strategy but another option is to add your name to a waiting list for the UCSD copy by placing a hold request.
Placing a hold request prevents the person with the book from renewing it. In some cases it may also shorten the due date so that person must return the book sooner. Once the book is returned the next person on the list will be notified that the book is on hold for them.
| To place your hold request just look for the request button in the online catalog: |
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Tip: You will need the barcode on your student ID/Library Card for all of these services. For Circuit and to place a hold request on the UCSD copy you will also need a PIN. To learn
how to set up and use your PIN go to the My Library Account tab at the top of this page. |
Where do I go?
Check out books at the main circulation desk in each library building. In Geisel it's the one across from the entry doors. If the line is long, or if you're more of a do-it-yourself person, use the Self-Checkout machines:
What do I need?
UCSD ID card is your library card; you will need it to check out books.
If you have a hosptial ID badge instead of the typical campus ID, please stop by WongAvery Library and we can add a barcode sticker to your hospital ID. You will need to barcode for some of our services like interlibrary loan and My Library Account.
How long can I have the book?
Lending times will vary between libraries, but for books from WongAvery Library, the loan period is 4 weeks and it can be renewed up to three times.
How can I renew my books?
Most library material (excluding course reserves) may be renewed online, over the phone, or in-person.
Use Roger to find e-Books the library owns. Books in both print and electronic format are included in the online catalog. The largest number of e-Books are on
science-related topics, but an increasing number of Social Science and Humanities e-Books are also available.
View a 2-minute tutorial demonstrating how to search for e-Books in the catalog.
Use the libraries subject specific lists of e-books:
| Science & Engineering | WongAvery Library |
| Social Science & Humanities | Selected e-Book Collections |
Our e-books come from different companies that have different policies about their use. Check out this e-Book overview, which includes help in printing, downloading, and terms of use information.
