Begin at the Curriculum Library's homepage. This is your gateway to the resources and information that you will need to complete your assignments.
In the middle of the page, click on the link to WestCat. WestCat is WIU's library catalog and contains records of all of the books, teaching aides, and audiovisual materials in the library's collection.
The Curriculum Library defaults to the advanced search tab. Here you are able search by:
You can even access your WestCat account online to check due dates and renew library materials!
To start from the WestCat page click on the "Curriculum Library" button in the search for section.
In the "Search by" box, click on "Title." To search for the title, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," type <very hungry caterpillar> in the "Search for" box. Note that you do not include "The" -- initials articles such as "a" or "the" are not included in title searches. I always change the second drop down box to use "including this phrase".
Click the "Search" button.
The resulting screen shows the records for the item. If you click on one of the records it will show the bibliographic detail of the item.
Which is a book in the Curriculum Library's collection. The record describes the item in great detail: author, title, physical description, contents, etc. The information in the record will help confirm that this is the item that you need.
At the bottom of the screen, you'll see important information describing where the item is located. The location indicates that it is kept in the Curriculum Library stacks section of the Curriculum Library, which is in Horrabin Hall. The call number, CURRLIB. 028.5 C278ve, is the library's way of providing a unique address for the item so that you can find it on the shelf!
To find out what items the Curriculum Library has by a specific author or illustrator, choose the search by author option. Be sure to enter the last name, followed by the first name. For example, to search for items by Eric Carle, type <carle eric> in the search box.
The first line of the results screen indicates how many items the Curriculum Library has by this author.
Begin scrolling down the list, paying attention to the author listed under the title. You will see items that are by other authors, were your individual may be the illustrator.
Subject word is a form of keyword searching. Subject words allow you to search for keywords and limit results to specific formats or locations.
For example, to find books on dogs, you would type "dogs" into the search box after limiting your search to the Curriculum Library.
Subject word searches work best when you use the simplest terms.
This brings you back all results, both fiction and non-fiction, for your subject area.
To Find only fiction/non-fiction items add the following criteria to your subject search:
Fiction:
* Use your subject term in the first box (dogs) and search by subject words. Use the conjunction "and" in between the fields.
*In the second line type fiction and search by subject words. This will result in only the fiction items being returned.
*Note: In either a fiction or non-fiction search both poetry and folk lore will show up.
Non-Fiction:
Use your subject term in the first box (dogs) and search by subject words. Use the conjunction "not" in between the fields.
*In the second line type fiction and search by subject words. This will result in only the non-fiction items being returned.
*Note: In either a fiction or non-fiction search both poetry and folk lore will show up.
You can check due dates and renew library materials online! On WestCat, click on the "Sign In" button in the upper right hand of the screen.
Once you sign in to WestCat your name will appear in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Click on your name and select My Account from the drop down menu.
Your "My Account" screen will list items that you have checked out, along with other University Libraries related information.
