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Library Resources for Communication Classes: Finding Books

This guide will help students in any COMM class that need help finding Communication resources for research from the BC Library.

Using the Library Catalog

You can search for books and eBooks in OneSearch by clicking on the link below.

Don't forget!  You can browse the shelves in both the Reference and General Collections in the following sections:

        Communication & Mass Media= P 87-96

                   Interpersonal Communication= P 94.7

                   Oral Communication & Speech= P 95-95.6

Subject Headings

The online library catalog (OneSearch) uses specific labels for subject headings/topics, and books are "tagged" in the computer by those terms according to their topics.  The online library catalog is expecting you to use those specific search terms when you do a "Subject" search.

If you need help figuring out the right words to use, ask a Reference Librarian!

        
 

Helpful Search Terms for "Subject" Search in OneSearch

Communication [has subtopics]

Communication and [lots of topics follow and]

Communication and culture

Communication in [lots of topics follow in]

Business communication [has subtopics]

Intercultural communication [has subtopics]

Interpersonal relations [has subtopics]

Oral communication [has subtopics]

Public speaking [has subtopics]

Speech

Voice

Mass media [has tons of subtopics]

Mass media and [lots of topics follow and]

Information Needed from OneSearch to Find Book on Shelf

Once you have search results, click on one of the books.  A screen for that book will pop upbook info page, with info on availability, collection, and call number highlighted

For each book you will see the citation information, description, collection, call number, and status. 

Always check the status first to make sure it says "Available" before you get too excited about a book. 

Then check which collection it can be found in.  If it says "General Collection" it is in the white-labeled bookcases, and if it says "Reference Collection" it is in the green-labeled bookcases. If it says "Delano  Library", it's at the Delano Campus. 

Lastly, always write down the entire call number!  See the box to the right about how to use that to find the book on the shelf. 

Books

Finding Books on the Library Shelf

Call Number= the address of the book on its spine

The signs on the end of the bookcases only refer to first two lines of a call #.

Pay attention to "collection" on the book entry in the catalog:  

REFERENCE= Green-labeled bookcases

GENERAL= White-labeled bookcases

Once in correct aisle, read call number, matching one line at a time, until find the right book.  Browse the shelves around it for possibly more books on your topic.

eBook Tutorial