Catalogs
To find books, DVDs, maps, sound recordings, manuscripts, and much more - everything except articles - use a library catalog.
OskiCat = most UC Berkeley libraries
MELVYL = all UC campus libraries, including all UC Berkeley libraries
What's the difference? more details here
For each item make sure you know the name of the physical library, call number, and whether or not it's checked out, library use only, etc.
Call numbers are on the spine of the book; learn how to read them so you can find what you need on the shelves.
Searching OskiCat
Sample searches:
1. keywords: robert johnson
refine your search: author: johnson, robert
2. keywords: narcocorrido*
* = truncation/wildcard child* = child, childs, children, childhood, childish, etc.
search for broader terms/use terms you find in official subject headings:
keywords: drug* corrido*
keywords: corridos texts
3. limiting your search:
keywords: footbind*
modify search
select language: english
4. other examples:
blues encyclopedia
blues bibliography
blues biography
blues (pull down "entire collection" menu to sound records)
blues women
blues influence
Try out these OskiCat features:
- limit your search to a type of material (DVDs) or a library location (Doe Reference); limit by language, year of publication, etc. (click on modify search)
- save items to a list you can e-mail/download/print
place a recall request onlinerequest items from storage (NRLF) - view a list of items you have checked out
- send call numbers to your cell phone (see below)
- receive alerts of new items that match your search terms ("preferred search")
Finding DVDs and Videos
Media Resources Center lists of media by subject
Media Resources Center lists of movies (feature films) by Subject
You can also find non-print media of all types in OskiCat; search by keywords, author, subject, title, etc. and pull down the "Entire Collection" menu to the type of resource you want (maps, films, etc.)
