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Search Library Catalogs: | UC Library Search (UCSD catalog) |
Circuit (SD area catalog) |
Start your search - Use UC Library Search
The Library's home page has a nice big search box but since you are here, a search box is below. You can limit to just UC San Diego collections from the Advanced search page. See what the UC systems has in different formats: books, articles, periodicals, film, music, maps and all other materials collected by the libraries.
UC Library Search, accessible from the search box on the library's homepage, helps you locate books, film, music, maps, and various other materials at the UC San Diego Library and beyond. It also contains a limited number of online journals and newspaper articles. You may search by keyword, title, and author, and filter your search to what is available online. You can also place an interlibrary loan request through UC Library Search for materials at other UC campuses or libraries worldwide using your Single Sign-On credentials.
UC Library Search does not include all the content to which the Library subscribes. To extend your search, try a database. The database you use depends on the topic or subject you have chosen and the type of information you need to access. You may choose among broad subject areas (e.g., biology, art, political science, etc.), as well as interdisciplinary databases or ones that search across multiple disciplines.
You must also be logged into the VPN to access the information for any database with a blue lock icon.
All the Things you Need to Know
There's a link to the catalog on the top of every library web page. You will find print and electronic books in Roger, as well as periodicals, film, music, maps and all other materials collected by the libraries. Here we'll focus on books.
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.:
Narrowing your search using Subject Headings:
A keyword search is great when you're starting out, but to get a more specific set of books on your topic try using subject headings. Subject headings use a set vocabulary to group together books on the same topic.It's a more organized way to search. Starting out a new topic though, you probably won't know the subject heading terminology to use. A great trick is to do a keyword search, find books that meet your needs and look for the subject headings.
In the following example I started with a keyword search "green building" and of my results list (482 items) I clicked on a promising title to get to this full-page description. The subject headings are the blue hyperlinks near the end of the description:
Click on the hyperlinked subjects to get a new set of results, all with the same subject heading. Hint: Consider right-clicking on the hyperlink to open the subject heading results in a new tab or window so that you don't lose track of your initial search results.
How do I locate a book once I’ve found it in Roger?
From your results list, click on the title to view a full record of the book. We'll use our "green building" search again. Look for three key pieces of information for locating it in the library: Location, Call Number, and Status:
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. |
How do I check out the books once I find them?
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.
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!).
Link to Circuit and Melvyl from your search results in The Library catalog
Look for the links on the right-hand side of the page, the system automatically repeats your search in the Circuit or Melvyl catalogs:
Place Your Request
Both of these additional catalogs provide a tool for requesting the book you want.
Select your location and enter your information including your UCSD PIN - for details on creating it, see My Library Account tab.
You will need your library barcode (21822 ... on the back of your campus ID), select a pick up location, and enter your email address so we can alert you when the book is received.
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: |
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. |
Use Roger to find which 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. Keep in mind that many important and useful books in the library are only available in print format.
For a tutorial and additional details, see the link below.
Search for e-Books in Roger
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Where do I go?
Check out books at the main circulation desk in each library building. But we also have do-it-yourself, Self-Checkout machines.
What do I need?
UCSD ID card is your library card; you can use that or your driver's license to check out books.
How long can I have the book?
Loan periods vary by items and also on whether you are faculty, staff or student. Be sure to ask when you check out. If you forget the due date simply check your account in UC Library Search.
How can I renew my books?
Most library material (excluding course reserves) may be renewed online, over the phone, or in-person.