Catalog

The TCC Library's Catalog--sometimes referred to as the iPac (Internet Public Access Catalog)--lists books, ebooks, web sites, reserve items, video recordings, DVDs, CDs, slides and syllabi. It also lists the titles of periodicals (magazines, journals and newspapers) if the library has print subscriptions-- it does not list over 4700 additional titles that are available in electronic form only. It is also important to know that although the catalog lists the titles of some of our magazines and newspapers, it does not provide access to individual articles; that access is provided through our periodical databases.

Here are a few of the Catalog's features:

Search limits

• You may click on tabs at the top of the catalog's search screen to limit searches to the "film collection" (DVDs and video recordings), reserve items, selected Internet sites, or syllabi

The Quick Search

• Use this search when you are not certain of the exact title, author, or subject heading.
• The "words or phrase" search is a good place to start: the computer will search for the words you enter in the author, title, subject and tables of content fields. If you use common words, this search can result in too many hits. If this happens to you, try the next bullet idea or an alphabetical browse search in the advanced search screen.

The Advanced Search

• If you know more specifically what you want, you may choose (from the drop down menus ) author, title, subject, series or periodical title
• Use the second set of drop down menus to limit and sort your search with a variety of options

Alphabetical or "browse" searching

• This causes the computer to search through and display an alphabetical list of authors, titles, subjects or series. It will display the part of the list that is closest to your entry. Click on a listed author, title, or subject heading in order to display one or more individual items.
• The call number search displays items in the order you would find them on the shelves

Results of a search

Once you find an item you are interested in retrieving, look for the following information:

1. Call number: make a note of this; it is the specific address for the item you are seeking
2. At the bottom of each entry, if you see the words "available in...," the item should be on the shelves (not checked out, missing, lost, on order, or in cataloging)
3. Location: any of the following locations may be listed
   • Career Center: a separately housed collection in the Career Center (north end of building 7)--ask there for circulation rules
   • Display Material: display shelves on south side of library--items may be checked out
   • ESL (English as a Second Language): low book shelves on south side of library--items may be checked out
   • Film Collection (DVD's and videorecordings)--ask at the circulation desk; these items are for in library use only
   • Online: may be an electronic book, a link to a web site, or a link to an electronic syllabus
   • LangCenter (Language Center): a collection for use in the Language Center (southeast corner of building 7) only
   • Leisure Library: low books shelves on south side of library--items may be checked out
   • Reading Room Stacks: tall book shelves, south side of library--items that can be checked out. If item is a music sound recording, ask at the circulation desk.
   • Reference Stacks: low book shelves, north side of library--most items cannot be checked out
   • Reserve Desk: ask at the circulation desk--items may be checked out per instructor's directions--usually 2 hours or overnight
   • Teaching Learning Center: a separately housed collection--primarily of interest to staff and faculty, but students may borrow items--ask a librarian for help
   • Writing and Tutoring Center: items are housed upstairs in building 7--for use in the Writing and Tutoring Center only

_{Last updated December 21, 2007}