2.4.1 Library catalogues
A library catalogue is a searchable collection of records referring to:
- reference material
- books
- periodicals (newspapers, magazines and journals)
- conference proceedings
- videos, DVDs and CDs
- other materials in the library's collection whether they are in print or electronic format.
Using other libraries
If a book or journal article is not available at the USQ library, you might obtain a copy from another library.
To search the online catalogues of other libraries: follow the link from the USQ library catalogue to Queensland library catalogues.
The Library can obtain material from other library collections, for eligible staff and students of USQ via a document delivery service called DocEX. Visit the DocEx web pages for more information.
Tips for searching library catalogues
TIP #1: Be broader with your search terms in a library catalogue than in a database or Internet search tool.
| For example: Chardonnay is a type of grape used for making white wine. In a library catalogue, a search for chardonnay would return few, if any, results. You would get more results from a search for wine or grapes. |
Why?
- It is unlikely that a whole work, such as a book or video, has been dedicated entirely to chardonnay.
- It is more likely that a work has been dedicated to wine, with a section on chardonnay.
- When you search a library catalogue you should search the broad subject area of your topic (e.g. wine), and then use the index in the back of the book to identify any content on your specific topic (chardonnay).
TIP #2: Use the subject heading links in the library web catalogue.
Identify a relevant record in a catalogue using a keyword search and look at the subject headings in the record. These headings contain links to subjects that will probably have other books and items on the same topic. This is demonstrated in 2.3.1 Keyword or subject searching?
