Books and
Related Materials
What are Books and Related Materials?
This guide discusses tools to use to identify books, journal titles, recordings,
manuscripts, or any other types of materials cataloged by libraries. The books
and related materials can be owned in the RIT Library, or can be owned by
any other library. The guide will also discuss ways of obtaining materials not
owned by this library. (See related information for distance
learners enrolled at RIT).
What sources do I use to locate books and journal titles
owned by RIT Library?
- The primary and most reliable tool for locating materials owned by RIT Library is the Library's On-line Public Access Catalog (OPAC), called Einstein.
Einstein contains a record for each item owned by this library, including
which journals and mgazine titles the library owns (but not the articles in
them). The Einstein record indicates whether or not the item has been checked
out and provides a Library
of Congress call number for each item. The call number indicates its location
in the library.
- Another source which can be used to identify material owned by RIT Library
is the database WorldCat. WorldCat is available through the FirstSearch
database. Worldcat represents the holdings of libraries from all over the
world (including RIT Library (code RVE) and consists of over 35 million records.
Any record that contains the phrase "Your Library (RVE) MAY Own This" or shows
RVE in the holdings is likely to be a record of material that can be found
in RIT Library. Be aware that the best choice for determining what materials
the Library actually owns is Einstein.
- What sources do I use to locate books and journal titles
owned by other libraries.
-
- There are endless choices of databases and catalogs to search. Access
through the web to individual library catalogs is available through the
library's Electronic Resources page, or link directly to the Other
Library Catalogs page. Also, you will find a link to the Library of
Congress' retrieval systems.
- LIBRA, the MCLS (Monroe County
Library System) is also available electronically. Once in the MCLS you
will be able to choose "Other Library Systems" to search libraries across
the country.
- Rochester Regional Library Council (RRLC) web page provides access to
regional libraries, libraries in New York State, and New York State information,
in addition to linking to other libraries and Federal information. The Rochester
Regional Library Council works to make all library materials in Rochester
more accessible. Most local libraries participate in this effort, which
has resulted in the RoaringCat database . It is available on the WWW from
the RIT Library's Electronic Resources
page, or by linking directly to RoaringCat.
- One popular catalog of books is the Books-In-Print resource. Contained
in this source are citations to books which are currently being published.
RIT Library has this source electronically in the Firstsearch
database. Most libraries and bookstores also have a copy of this tool in
either print or CD-ROM. It is searchable by title, author, or subject and
can help you identify currently published book titles.
How do I get material not held in Wallace?
- Identifying books and related materials not owned by the RIT Library
leaves you with at least three choices in retrieving them.
- RIT Library maintains a page of library
weblinks to Library Catalogs of Area Colleges, the library of Congress
and Directories in the United States and other countries. Check the regional
or local libraries in your area by using one of the sources listed in the
above section and obtain the material yourself if you meet the lending criteria
of the library.
-
- Or, request the material through Interlibrary loan. If you request materials
through Interlibrary Loan, allow 3 to 5 days for delivery. There is no need
for you to identify a library which owns the material, just be complete
in filling out the interlibrary loan
form through IDS Express and we'll find it for you. There is no charge
for this service. Instructions and a help menu for answering questions regarding
Interlibrary loan
is also available.
Maintained by: Margaret Bartlett
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