Find Homework (K-12) Resources

A library catalog is a listing of all the items held by that library. It will pull up books, movies, video games, journal articles, digital content, and so much more. 

If you know it, you can search for an item by it's title or author. BUT you can also search just using a keyword.

Alvin Sherman Library's Catalog can be found in multiple ways:

• use the url novacat.nova.edu
• OR visit library.nova.edu and make sure the dropdown reads "Catalog" then type in your keyword.

Broward County Public Library's Catalog is separate from ours and can be found at: https://www.broward.org/Library/Pages/Default.aspx

The library catalog allows us to search all of the library's holdings by keywords, author, and title.

You can put just a word in the top search box and pull up everything we have that mentions the keyword OR you can refine your search with the advanced options below.

You can use multiple keywords, limit by format (print material, DVD, Blu-Ray, etc.), or even select a specific location or collection. NSU Media will look only at audio/visual materials, and Children's Collection will narrow the search to materials for children and teens, ages 0-18.

Once you hit "Search" you'll see the search results.

Each listing provides the following information:

• Title, subtitle, and author
  • What is the item called and, if available, who wrote it.
• Call Number
  • This acts as the address for the book on the shelf. It is used to help locate the book
  • This can also help determine the audience for the item
• Format
  • What format is the book in? Is it a Print Material, Video Game, DVD, Blu-Ray, ebook? We have a lot of material options at the Alvin Sherman Library and this small image will help you determine what kind of book it is.
• Availability
  • Whether the book is currently available or not
• Place Hold
  • This will ask the library staff to pull the book for you and hold it at circulation for you to pick up. If it is currently checked out, it will be held when it is returned and you will be notified when it is available
• Access for digital materials
  • For digital materials, there will be icons indicating who can use it and where they can use it. There will also be a link that will take you to the item. You may have to login to your library account to access these materials if you aren't already logged in.

Use the library's catalog to search for materials such as books, ebooks, DVDs, etc., by keyword, author, or title. Click on an entry on the results list to view an item's availability, location, and call number.

1. No results? Check your spelling or the fields you searched in. Selecting different fields will produce different results.

2. Too few results? Go back and expand your search by using synonyms or related terms.

3. Too many results? Go back and use the advanced search filters to limit your search.

Need help? Ask a Librarian!

Call numbers are a method for keep books in order. They work like an address and are used to find a book in the library. We use two classification systems:

• Library of Congress (LC)
• Dewey Decimal

The list below provides a quick guide to where each call number range is located within the Alvin Sherman Library:

Library of Congress Call Numbers:

• A - HD69 .T46 - 3rd Floor (East side)
• HD69 .T46 – PQ - 3rd Floor (West Side)
• PR-Z - 4th Floor (West Side)

Dewey Decimal Call Numbers:

• 000 - 999 (Published after 2021) - 1st Floor (Circulation Room near the library exit)
• 000 - 999 (Published before 2021) - 1st Floor (Public Library Services)
• Children, middle grade, and young adult books - 1st Floor ( Public Library Services)

Open the document below for more specific locations: