Q&A for How to Find Books in a Library

Books are usually sorted by subject using the Dewey Decimal System. That way, you're able to find a lot of books about similar topics just by knowing the number.

Some libraries have an app, which you can find on their website or the app store. If your library doesn't have an app, you will have to visit the library website using the browser (e.g. Safari) on your iPhone.

You can ask a librarian to show you the fiction section. If you have already found a book and are not sure if it is fiction or not, you can check a few places on the book to see. These include the cover, many times a book will say "A Novel" if it is fiction, and the back side of the title page. Look at the Library of Congress Cataloging Publication Data, after the subject there will be a dash, then the word "Fiction" if it is a fiction book.

That depends on the library. Many libraries have a separate section for biographies, which are sorted by the last name of the person they are about.

Yes, it is free to borrow a book from the library. If you don't return it on time, though, you may have to pay a fine.

There is a section just for non-fiction books, where they are ordered by their Dewey or LCON call number.

Usually in a library there is a catalogue that lists all the books in circulation at a time. Using this catalogue, look up the book you would like to check out and look at its information. There is usually a count of how many copies the library owns and how many are checked out; if there is less checked out than the library owns, the book is still available for checkout.

The numbers are a way a library sorts books and is called the Dewey Decimal system. These numbers tell not only where the book should be housed on shelves, but what kind of material it contains. For example, books 000-099 are classified as Generalities, and usually consist of Encyclopedias, Newspapers, etc., while books 100-199 are Philosophy and Psychology, and so on.

If you have no intention of checking out the book, there are usually librarians who can reshelve the book for you around. Attempting to reshelve the book yourself often can lead to the book being misplaced and lost for a while.

The circulation section of a library has many functions and is one of the key components of a library. Some functions include lending material, checking in material, maintaining shelves by replacing checked-in material and solving any conflicts that may appear, i.e. inappropriate patron actions, open drinks and/or food, high noise levels, etc.

Most library catalogs will allow a search by author. You can also ask a librarian who can tell you if the book is available at that library or not.

It often depends on what library you are in. Start by asking a Librarian or Library staff member. Some libraries segregate their oversized books to their own section, some shelve near where it would normally be if it were not oversized (like the very bottom or very stop of a shelf unit) and some lay the book sideways within its normal range on the shelf.

If you are a library guest, you can request the item, in which case the librarians will locate it for you. If you are a librarian, then unfortunately the only answer is to do a thorough search! This is why you should be shelf-reading (checking that everything is in order and putting books back where they should be if they're out of place) regularly.

You can often search for graphic novels, manga, comics, etc. by the titles just like you would a traditional book. If your library does not have a dedicated section for these, then they will probably be shelved with the regular books and you will need to get the the call number (label number) by using the catalog or asking a librarian.

Yes. If by, "reference number," you mean the number on the spine of the book, then you would use that number to locate the book.

A card catalog's purpose is to help you locate what book you are looking for in a library.

This is more of an art than a science, but here are methods I use for finding "lost" books. First, if the person shelving is still there, ask them to retrace their steps with you. Often if they do this, you will run across it. Next, go to the location where it should be shelved and look in the area. Often the person shelving will misread one number and shelve it just a shelf or two above or below. If that fails, place a formal request through the library's hold system. When they process their holds, library staff who are experts at tracking down "lost" materials may be able to locate the item.

Ask a librarian or volunteer for help if the book is missing on the shelf where it should be. They will provide assistance, and if that is not enough then you can ask for an interlibrary loan to get the book you want if another library has it. This is done online.

Yes, you can. Just make sure to have a librarian reshelve it for you, don't put it back yourself. There's usually a place to put books that need to be reshelved, or you can just hand it to a librarian when you're done reading.

Search the catalog for the title, author, and call number. Check the section where it belongs, like fiction or non-fiction. Follow shelf labels to the right area. Scan book spines first, then look at covers. Ask a librarian if you need help.

To retrieve a book from a shelf, find the call number in the library catalog, check which section the book is in, follow the shelf labels, and look in order by numbers or letters. Gently pull the book from the spine and use a step stool if the book is high up.

To get reading materials from the library, first obtain a library card with your ID. Search for books in the library or online catalog. Check if the book is available or needs to be requested. Borrow it at the checkout desk or self-checkout. Follow the loan rules and due dates, and renew if you need more time. Return the book on time to avoid late fees.

Check these places: the hold or reserved section if someone placed it on hold; the return cart or reshelving area if it was recently returned; the reference or special collections if it's restricted; another branch if it's available at a different library; or ask a librarian if it's misplaced or in use.

Many libraries exist within each state. You just have to find out where each one is by searching for it on Google.

Some libraries have book-borrowing stations, where you take the book and process it yourself. If you have trouble using the station, ask a member of the staff for help. In other libraries, you take your desired book to the front desk where they will scan it for you or tell you how to do so.

Some libraries have programs to help job seekers. You can ask a librarian at your library, who may be able to find resources for you.

If you don't know the title or author of a book, but remember the summary of it, or what the book's cover looks like, you may be able to ask a librarian about it, and see if they can help you find the book.

The title of the book, the author's name and the call number of the book.

Use the library's online catalog. You can search the title and see if it is available to check out.

Search online for "public libraries near (your location)." Also, check in the back of a phone directory for "libraries."