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Find Homework (K-12) Resources

What is a catalog?

library catalog is a listing of all the items held by that library.

shelves of books

You can search for specific items by their title or author, or you can search for items on a specific topic using keywords.

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Call Numbers

Call numbers tell you where to find a book in the library. You can find the call number on the spine of the book. Depending on the type of the book it is, the call number will look at a little different!

Look at the examples below. Where would you find each book?

Picture Books: E + author's last name

don't let the pigeon drive the bus call number


Readers: RDR + author's last name

Cat in the Hat call number


Chapter Books: J FIC + author's last name

wings of fire call number


Graphic Novels: J GRAPHIC + author's last name (+ volume number)

drama graphic novel call number


Non-Fiction Books: J + number + author's last name

cool inventions call number


Biographies: J BIO + subject matter's last name

MLK book call number

Practice Using Keywords

Play Search Shark by Common Sense Education to learn how to choose effective keywords for searching online and finding the right information! 

Search Shark game image

Related Library Guides:

Searching the Catalog

Use the library's catalog to search for materials by keyword, author, or title. Type in your keyword(s) in the search bar. The catalog is not case-sensitive, but spelling is important!

Using search bar screenshot


 

To view items that are only available in the children's section, click on the drop-down below the search bar and select Children's Coll, Sherman Library. Then click the blue Search button next to the search bar.

filter to children's collection screenshot

 

Your new results should include items that have a call number beginning with the letter "J," which stands for Juvenile (another term for children).

juvenile results screenshot


 

In the Search Results, there is an icon that tells you what kind of item it is. If it says "Printed Material," it may refer to a book. 

You can also see if the item is available in the library, or if all copies are in use. 

search results item type and availability screenshot


 

You may place a hold on an item if it is currently checked out by clicking the "Place Request" button. If it is available and you want to find the book in the library, note the call number, which gives the location of the book. 

call number


 

Click on the title of an item to learn more information, including a summary of the book. 

item record screenshot