How to find a Book in the Collection
Trinity's Library has an OPAC (for "online public access catalog"). The online catalog is available from the computers in the main reading area of the Library (to get to it, double click on the Internet Explorer icon.). It is also accessible via the Internet, which means you can search it from home using the address www.catalog.tesm.edu or by pointing your browser to the Library page of Trinity's web site www.tesm.edu.
Not all of the Library's holdings are as yet in the online catalog, so you may also have to use the card catalog to find all the books you need or by browsing the shelf for books in close physical proximity to your subject. Please see a member of the Library staff for help in using either the card or the online catalogs.
In both the online and card catalog, books are listed by author, title, and one or more subjects. For example, you would find John Stott's The Authentic Jesus: the Certainty of Christ in a Skeptical World, under the headings:
- Author
- Stott, John R. W., 1921-
- Title
- The Authentic Jesus: the Certainty of Christ in a Skeptical World
- Subject Heading
- Jesus Christ -- Person and offices
For some subjects, the catalog gives you a "See" note that points you to the proper subject heading. For many subjects, it also gives you a "see also" note that points you to related books.
You may also find the book through a keyword search by using "Jesus and Stott" in case you only know bits of information about the book. But with this search strategy you may have to scroll through several items until you find the title. Click here for a fuller description of online catalog searching strategies.
The results screen will show the book's record. This is important because it will tell you if the book is available or checked out and it provides the location (such as circulation collection) along with the Call Number (such BT202 .S749 1985). If you need a book that is not a part of the Trinity Library collection you may be able to get it through Interlibrary loan.
Circulating collection
These are books you can check out. They are arranged under the Library of Congress' system, whose call numbers arranges books by letters and numbers. For example, books on biblical studies begin with "BS" (although there's no correlation between the call number and the name of the subject). The circulating collection starts with the call numbers beginning with "A" in the room to the rear of the first floor.
Reference collection
These are books of information — encyclopedias, bibliographies, dictionaries, and the like — that you must use in the library. The reference area is now in the room across from the circulation desk. Reference books have "REF" at the beginning of the call number. These books may not be taken from the library. However, we have added some popular reference works — IVP's dictionaries, for example — to the circulating collection as duplicate copies.
Oversize collection
These are books in the circulating collection that have to be put in a different place because they are too big for the shelves. These are also to be found in the room across from the circulation desk, in the reference book area. Oversized books circulate in the same way as regular books. Oversized books have "OVER" at the beginning of the call number.
Reserve collection
These are books professors have set aside for current courses. The reserve books used to be found in the first aisle on the left side of the room across from the circulation desk. However as of Fall, 2003, these books will be stored behind the circulation desk and students must ask the circulation worker to retrieve the item. Students may not go behind the desk for the books. Check out procedures are like other books, with the exception that they are only available to check out for 3 hour periods (renewable provided no one else requests it) and overnight if checked out in the last hour of library service provided it is returned within the first hour of library service the next day. Click here for more information about course reserve policies.
Please see a member of the Library staff if you have any questions about finding a book.
