Contents:

The Resources (Library catalogs & ebooks)
Searching for eBooks — try a search
Searching for Books located in the Library
     — Library of Congress Call Number System
     — Where to Get a Book's Call Number  — try a search
     — How to Read A Call Number
Locating the Book in the Library
     — How Books are Arranged on the Shelves

Note: The ebook collections are unique; they are not duplications of the Library's hardcopy (print) books.

Use the Library Catalog to find and access ebooks

The ORU Library subscribes to two ebook collections, eBrary and NetLibrary. Titles from both ebook collections (and links to the ebooks) are included in the Library's catalog.

When searching for ebooks in the Library catalog use the 'Limit by' feature and select 'Electronic Resources' to have only ebooks displayed in the result list. (Note: If there are no ebooks in your result list none will be displayed.)

Then, to access an ebook simply click on the link provided in the record.

Search the ebook Databases

To search within an ebook collection (database), go to the ORU Library home page, click 'Database List', and then click either eBrary and NetLibrary.

Books and other materials in the ORU library are primarily organized using Library of Congress (LC) call numbers. Each item in the ORU Library has its own unique call number on a label that is usually taped on the spine of the book (or other item).

To find an item in the library you need to know its call number, which is found by a search in the ORU IPAC catalog.

Before you search for books, knowing something about the LC call number system is helpful in understanding the organization in the library and how to find books.

There are 21 major categories, or divisions, in the LC call number system, represented by English letters.

The first letter of the call number represents the major category. The second letter of a call number represents the specific sub-section within the general subject area. Books about similar subjects will have a similar call number. For example, books that begin with the call number "BR" are on the subject of Church History, a subdivision of Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, and Theology. The first and second letters of a call number represent only the first line on the call number label. Additional numbers and letters that further define a book are usually included in the call number.		Partial List of LC Subject Categories  A  General Works: Encyclopedias, Indexes, Almanacs, etc.  B  Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Theology BF Psychology/ Parapsychology/ Occult BJ Philosophy, Psychology BM Judaism BR Church History BS The Bible BT Doctrinal Theology BV Practical Theology  C  Auxiliary Sciences of History: Archaeology, Archives, Genealogy, Biography  D  History: General/Eastern Hemisphere  E  History: Western Hemisphere
View the LC Classification Outline as modified and used by ORU. View the complete Library of Congress Classification Outline.

To find the call number of a book you will need to search IPAC, the ORU library catalog. If you have a topic, or know the author's name or part of a title you can do a Subject Keyword, Author, or Title Keyword search, respectively. In addition, IPAC allows you to search for reserve materials, review your library account, renew books, and much more.

Call numbers are read one row at a time, as shown in the chart below.
Example: The Revell Bible Dictionary, call number BS440.R484 1990

Once you have the call number you will need to find the book on the library shelves. It is important when reading the book's record in the library catalog to note the location code, which may identify its location in a special collection.

Books and other library materials are arranged alphabetically according to LC call numbers as shown the examples below.

If you need assistance searching the library catalog, accessing ebooks, creating ebook accounts, or locating a book in the library, help is available at the Reference Desk, LRC-4th floor. You may also call the Reference Desk at (918) 495-6887 or email a Librarian.