Alternatives to the OSU Library Catalog

(or, How can I find stuff when the catalog is down?)

Posted Tue., Dec. 18, 2007 at 8:30 a.m.: The Library catalog will be offline from 9:00 a.m. Tue. Dec. 18 until approximately 7:30 a.m. Thurs. (Dec. 19) for a major system upgrade. We apologize for the inconvenience.

During occasional periods when the OSU Library Catalog is unavailable there are alternative sources that will help you find the information you need. The following instructions will give you some hints and tips to assist you. This outage does not affect access to online journals or to indexes and databases. For assistance please call 405-744-9775.

Search for library materials using our new catalog interface BOSS. (However, availability status will not be updated for the duration of the upgrade).

To access Electronic Reserves go to http://reserves.library.okstate.edu/index.htm.

To renew materials please call 405-744-6812.

When you want to do a keyword or subject search to find a book or journal title the best place to start is WorldCat. WorldCat contains records for books and journals owned by the OSU Library, plus libraries all across the country. The search screen allows you to limit your search to ONLY those items that owned by the OSU Library. This will make your search much more efficient. Simply click in the checkbox as shown below:

Your search results will tell what items the OSU Library owns that match your search terms. The WorldCat results, will NOT, however, give you the OSU Library's precise call number. A Dewey call number may appear in the record, but it is a generic call number that is not specific to the OSU Library. If you like to browse the shelves this call number can guide you to the general location where books on your topic may be found, but not to an exact call number for a specific item.

Indexes & Databases Return to OSU Library Home Page