BOOKS IN THE UWP LIBRARY: Use the Library Catalog to identify and locate books owned by this Library.
General strategy (simple search): Use the simple search option. Start with a keyword (And/Or/Not) search. Carefully review the records you retrieve. What alternative keywords do you find? What subject headings are used for this topic? Revise your search, incorporating keywords you come across, especially those in subject headings. As you do more research, it will get easier because you will learn to let what you find help you find additional sources. The hardest part is always the beginning of a search for information on a new topic, so do not get frustrated if you do not get immediate results.
REQUESTING BOOKS FROM OTHER LIBRARIES IN THE UW SYSTEM:
No library has every book that will prove useful to your research! Even so, you need not be limited to books in this library. Because all of the libraries in the University of Wisconsin System (UWS) have cooperative borrowing agreements, it is easy and to request books from other UWS libraries. Search for books in other UW libraries using the "MultiLibrary Search" link at the top of the Library Catalog screen.
If you wanted to borrow any of these items you retrieve, click on the Patron Requests link at the top of the screen. The system will prompt your through the borrowing process. Make sure your have/know your RangerCard number (the P# on the bottom of your ID card). Items usually arrive within three working days (Monday through Friday) at the UW-Parkside Check-out Desk. Click on the Patron Record link to check on the status of your requests. Be advised that while most campuses will also lend audio/video items, UW-Madison sometimes will not.
For a step-by-step look at requesting items from other UW libraries, see our tutorial here.
REQUESTING BOOKS FROM LIBRARIES OUTSIDE OF THE UW SYSTEM:
Although it is fastest to retrieve a book from another UW System library, you are not limited to books from these libraries. There is another system, called Interlibrary Loan, which permits patrons at any library in the country to request books from any other library. Although most libraries participate in this exchange, a few do not. To receive items not available from another UW system library, you'll need to place an Interlibrary Loan Request. You can place a request online. The Interlibrary Loan office will notify you via your Parkside email account when your items are available for pickup. You can pick up your books at the Circulation Desk. These books MUST be returned to the Interlibrary loan window, not with other books to the circulation desk.
Please note: all article requests must be placed through Interlibrary Loan.
For a step-by-step look at using the Interlibrary loan system, see our tutorial here.
BOOKS IN OTHER WISCONSIN LIBRARIES USING BadgerCat:
To find out about books available in Wisconsin public and academic libraries including but not limited to the UW System, use BadgerCat. Find this on the Collections page, under Other Library Catalogs.
If you find an item you'd like to have, look to see who owns it by clicking on the Wisconsin Libraries link. If another UW library owns it, request it through UW System Search (see above for instructions). If a public library or academic library outside of the UW system owns it, simply request a copy through Interlibrary Loan (remember, it will take longer to receive items through ILL than through UW System Search!).
BOOKS IN ANY LIBRARY CATALOG USING WORLDCAT:
To find out about books available in libraries worldwide, use WorldCat. Find this on the Collections page, under Other Library Catalogs.
Both WorldCat and BadgerCat have special features including the ability to limit to specific format types (books, visual materials, etc.) by marking the checkboxes in the limit type to: area of the search screen.
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