How to Use the Library Catalogue

at the

Bermuda College Library

Your catalogue is your friend.

• The OPAC or catalogue at the Bermuda College Library has an index full of information on: – Circulating Titles– Reference Titles– Bermudiana Titles– Rare Titles– Reserve Titles

To search for a book in the collection…

go to the Bermuda College homepage at

http://www.college.bm

Use the Quicklinks drop down to find the library homepage. You do not have to log-in to search the catalogue from home.

On the library homepage is the yellow library catalogue button.

When searching the library catalogue…• There are two types of search formats:– The Simple search and – The Power search

Here you have several search options to choose from. Searches can be done by:

• Title – ie. Bermuda Five Centuries• Author – ie. Rosemary Jones• Subject – ie. History

On the search results page, there are many books to chose from. Some books may be found in several locations in the library.

The search results page will indicate:-The call number of the book

ie. F 1636 .J6 2009 BDA-If copies are available -If the book has been checked out

The call number is useful in helping to find where the books are located on the shelves. Call numbers may also have a special code for their collection: F 1636 .J6 2009 BDA Bermudiana F 1636 .J6 2009 REF Reference F 1636 .J6 2009 Stacks

Understanding Library of Congress Classification

• The Bermuda College Library uses the Library of Congress classification system:

• Each shelf is marked alphabetically with one or two letters. This makes it easier to find which shelf to start with.

• Next books are then arranged numerically, according to the call number.

• Finally, the books are shelved alphabetically by the next letter and decimally by the following number.

Library of CongressClassification

A – General WorksB – Philosophy, Psychology, ReligionC – Auxiliary Sciences of History

(General)D – History (General ) and History of

EuropeE – F – History: AmericaG – Geography, Anthropology,

RecreationH – Social SciencesJ – Political ScienceK – LawL – EducationM – Music N – Fine ArtsP – Language and LiteratureQ - ScienceR – MedicineS – Agriculture

T – TechnologyU – Military ScienceV – Naval ScienceZ - Bibliography, Library Science, Information Resources.

Locating Books

• The Reference Books, Rare Books & Bermudiana are found upstairs in the Reference Department.

• The Stacks or Circulating Books are found downstairs in the Stacks Lending Collection.

• The Reserve Books are found in the Circulation Department and must be requested.

Now that you know how to use the catalogue,

you can enjoy a good read.

Presentation by: Lee-Ann LilesLibrary AssistantBermuda College Library March 2011