Finding books (or videos, CDs, maps, DVDs, manuscripts, etc.) at Dartmouth

• The Dartmouth College Library Catalog contains everything owned or licensed by the library: books and journals, both print and electronic, videos, CDs, maps, manuscripts, scores, sound recordings, and more.
• Search the Library Catalog by author, title, subject, keyword.
  • Title search example: cat in the hat
  • Author search example: shakespeare william
  • Keyword search example: election and president*
• Search catalog help to learn more about how to use the library catalog.

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I found a book in the Dartmouth Library Catalog, now how do I get it?

• Search the Dartmouth Library Catalog to find location and call number.
  • What does the status message mean?
  • About the Libraries at Dartmouth
  • Campus map of libraries
  • Stack Guides and Floor Plans of campus libraries
• Look at the location in the catalog and this will tell you where on campus the book is located.
• Go to the library, find the book, and check it out. 
• If the book you want is at the Storage or Matthews-Fuller Libraries, then we'll get it for you.  Use Request Selected Item from the catalog.  (you'll  need a PIN number to use this service.)
• If the book you want is already checked out you can either request it from BorrowDirect or Recall it.

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Finding books outside of Dartmouth's collection

• Search across many library catalogs at once using WorldCat; Worldcat allows you to find books in 9,000+ other libraries from around the world.
• For more options look at this list of library catalogs.

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I found a book that Dartmouth doesn't own, now what do I do?

• First try BorrowDirect; if the book is not available there...
• Then we'll get it for you.  Request the book through DartDoc.

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Other helpful things to know

• How long can I keep my books?
  • Borrowing privileges and loan periods
  • Renewing books
    • (PIN number - what is it, why do I need it and where do I get it?
• Books that are checked out to someone else can be recalled for you:
  • Recalling books: instructions for Students & Guest Borrowers
  • Recalling books: instructions for Faculty & Staff
  • Can't find the book on the shelf?  Go to a circulation desk and  Library staff will help you.
• The Catalog and eResources - What's the Difference?
  • The catalog is the access point to everything the library owns.  Search for books and journals, both print and electronic, videos, maps, manuscripts, CDs, DVDs, and more.
  • eResources is an organized collection of all web-based resources owned or licensed by the library: online encyclopedias, electronic journals and books, indexes to journal articles, databases, and more. Available from your computer 24 hours a day, eResources are arranged so that you can browse by subject or search for a specific resource by title.

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Need Help?  Ask us! 

Librarians are available to help guide you no matter what you're looking for:

• Email  us to ask a question or get more information.
• Phone a reference librarian.
• Visit a  reference desk to talk with a librarian.
• For help from another student, visit RWIT, the Student Center for Research, Writing, and Information Technology.