Library Research Tips for Graduate Students

WorldCat is a global catalog of library collections that enables users to search for articles, archival materials, books, journals, maps, music, videos, and other resources available in libraries around the world. This means items you find in WorldCat may or may not be owned or subscribed to by the Rutgers University Libraries. 

If the book you want is not available in your library, but is available through another Rutgers library, you can have it delivered to you at your library, free of charge:

1. From within the QuickSearch system, search for the book.
2. Sign in to view request options, then click the Request Item button. 
3. For Pickup Location, select your preferred library - or choose Personal Delivery to your Home Address.

If Rutgers University Libraries does not own or subscribe to the book you want (or it's already been checked out by someone else), see if it is available through E-ZBorrow.  If not, see if it is available through UBorrow.  If you are unsuccessful in finding the book in either system, request it via Interlibrary Loan.

Reference books such as encyclopedias are a great place to do some preliminary research.  You can get a good overview about your topic, perhaps narrow down your topic if it was too broad before, and most importantly, identify seach terms to use when you begin your search for books and/or articles.

While the Rutgers University Libraries have many print reference books available, if you are currently off-campus, you may find it more convenient to use our online ones:

If you are interested in browsing the shelves of the library for books, keep in mind the Library of Congress classification system:

• A -- GENERAL WORKS - WP version - Word version
• B -- PHILOSOPHY. PSYCHOLOGY. RELIGION - WP version - Word version
• C -- AUXILIARY SCIENCES OF HISTORY - WP version - Word version
• D -- WORLD HISTORY AND HISTORY OF EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, ETC. - WP version - Word version
• E -- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS - WP version - Word version
• F -- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS - WP version - Word version
• G -- GEOGRAPHY. ANTHROPOLOGY. RECREATION - WP version - Word version
• H -- SOCIAL SCIENCES - WP version - Word version
• J -- POLITICAL SCIENCE - WP version - Word version
• K -- LAW - WP version - Word version
• L -- EDUCATION - WP version - Word version
• M -- MUSIC AND BOOKS ON MUSIC - WP version - Word version
• N -- FINE ARTS - WP version - Word version
• P -- LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - WP version - Word version
• Q -- SCIENCE - WP version - Word version
• R -- MEDICINE - WP version - Word version
• S -- AGRICULTURE - WP version - Word version
• T -- TECHNOLOGY - WP version - Word version
• U -- MILITARY SCIENCE - WP version - Word version
• V -- NAVAL SCIENCE - WP version - Word version
• Z -- BIBLIOGRAPHY. LIBRARY SCIENCE. INFORMATION RESOURCES (GENERAL) - WP version - Word version