How can I find books?

  1. Connect to the Library Catalog catalogusmai, the online catalog for the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI). [link will open in a new window]
    For more information about using the Catalog, please view the Library Catalog: catalogusmai Tutorial [1:40] download Flash Player
  2. Select a search type:
    Use Word Search when:
    • You are looking for information on a subject using keywords (see: How can I find information about my topic?)
    • You are looking for a specific item and know the subject heading, and some words in the title
    • You are looking for a specific item and know the author's last name and the subject of the item
    • You know the last names of two or more authors or editors of an item
    For more details see: Word Search instructions
    Use Browse Search when:
    • You have an exact title, or the beginning of the title
    • You have the author's last name and first initial (or full name)
    • You are looking for information on a subject and know the correct subject heading
    • You have the call number of an item and want to find other items on the same subject
    For more details see: Browse Search instructions

  3. Use the call number to find your item in the library.

    Items in the following locations can be checked out:

    • Stacks – Books on floors 3 - 7
    • Stacks - Folio – Over-sized books on floors 3 - 7 (southeast corner)
    • Media Stacks – Videos, DVDs and CDs kept on the 2nd floor

    Items in these locations cannot be checked out:

    • Serials Stacks – Journals, magazines and newspapers kept on the 2nd floor
    • Reference – Books on the first floor
    • Reference - Ready Reference – Books kept at the Reference Desk on the first floor
    • Government Documents – Located on the first floor (many government documents are also available online)
    • Special Collections – Located in the Special Collections department on the first floor

    see also: Locations: Subjects by Floor & Locations: Floors by Subject


Now that you have your sources, what do you do if you need to request books from another USMAI library...

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How do I...

Pick a Research Topic

Find Information About My Topic

Understand Periodicals

Find Journal Articles

Find Books

Request Books From Other USMAI Libraries

Use InterLibrary Loan

Trust My Sources

Cite My Sources

Use EndNote Web


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