This tutorial is quite lengthy so you may want to print this page to follow along as you search for books. We have provided the following topics in this tutorial:
1 - Introduction to searching for books
2 - How do I search for books (and other material)?
3 - Viewing the results
4 - How do I request books (but NOT other material)?
5 - What is my account?
6 - What if I can't find the book (or other materials) I want at NLU?
1 - INTRODUCTION TO SEARCHING FOR BOOKS:
What is I-Share?
I-Share is an online catalog used to locate books and other library materials in Illinois. There are 65 academic libraries, including NLU, participating in a consortium called Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI). Currently there are over 22 million items in I-Share available to you. The I-Share Catalog includes:
Books
Journals
Websites
Videos
Audio Cassettes/CDs
2 - HOW DO I SEARCH FOR BOOKS (OR OTHER MATERIALS)?
1. Identify keywords in your topic sentence. (Example: depression, teenagers)
2. Click on the "Book Search" link on the menu bar to the left.
3. Click on the link, "NLU Book Catalog."
4. Click on "Advanced Search."
5. Type a keyword in the first search box.
The dropdown menu to the right will give you the choice to search for "all of these", "any of these", or "as a phrase". These choices are irrelevant if you have only entered one keyword in each box.
"All of these" - The computer will search for records that contain all of the keywords in the search box, but not necessarily in the order you specified. For example, if you enter the keywords "mental health", the computer will search for all records that contain both words, but not necessarily together.
"Any of these" - The computer will search for any of the keywords in the search box, but not necessarily all of them. For example, if you enter the keywords "mental health", the computer will search for any record with the word mental and any record with the word health, but the records may not contain both keywords.
- "As a phrase" - The computer will search for all of the keywords in the search box in the order in which you entered them. For example, if you enter the keywords "mental health", the computer will search for all records that contain the keywords "mental health", in that order.
6. Choose a field to search by clicking on the down arrow in the "Search by" box (see image below). If you searching subjects and are using your keywords, keep "Any Words" which will search all fields. If you want to search for a particular author, change this box to "Author Words". If you want to search for a specific book, change the box to "Title Words".
7. Type another keyword in the second search box.
8. Click on "Search" or hit the Enter key.
3 - VIEWING THE RESULTS:
Once you have completed your database search, you will have a list of titles. The results will come up as a list of brief citations. The results will also include information about which campus has the book, called "Library Location" or "Multiple Holdings".
1. Click on the underlined title of a book that seems to fit your topic. 2. Look at the record. Notice that the full citation provides more information than just the author and title. Some records include content notes. These notes are often the titles of chapters of the book and can help you decide if this book is right for your research.
3. Notice the other keywords that you may use to refine your search. These keywords may be called "Subject: (LCSH)" or "Subject (MeSH). Combine these keywords with keywords from your topic sentence to retrieve a variety of titles. If you choose to click on one of these keywords, it will execute a search for titles with ONLY that keyword.
4. Click on the "Titles" link in the navigation bar at the top to return to the list of brief citations.
A NOTE OF WARNING: I-Share will time out if you do not perform any key strokes within four minutes. You will lose your search information. You will have to start over by clicking on the "National-Louis University" banner at the top of the "time out" page.
4 - HOW DO I REQUEST BOOKS?
Other materials like videos, audio material, etc. usually cannot be checked out from other libraries.
1. If the book you want is not on your campus, click the "Request" link on the navigation bar at the top of the screen.
2. If you have not previously logged in, the Login screen will appear. Enter your "Library Borrower ID" is: 19 (9 replaces the "N" in your NLUstudent ID) + Your student ID + 2840 (Example: 19233548742840) and "Last Name" in the appropriate fields and then click "OK."
3. Once the Login is confirmed, ignore the drop-down menu and click "OK."
4. On the next screen, go to the drop-down menu in the "Choose pick-up library:" box and select the campus library at which you'd like to pick up the book or select "NLU Mail" if you would like the book mailed to you.
5. Enter your "Library Borrower ID" again.
6. Click the "Submit Request" button to submit your request.
7. The next screen will say, "Your request is now in process." You now can check its status by accessing your patron information from the "My Account" button.
5 - WHAT IS MY ACCOUNT?
My Account displays information about your library record and activity. If you have not already logged in, you will be asked for your "Library Borrower ID" and your "Last Name."
--Verify your personal information (address, phone, email address, etc.)
--See what titles you have requested ("Request Information")
--See items you have checked out ("Charged Items")
--See what fines you owe ("Fines and Fees")
--Renew books
--Cancel last book requests made online
If you encounter any problems with your Account, call 1-800-443-5522, x5503 for assistance.
6 - WHAT IF I CAN'T FIND THE BOOK I WANT AT NLU?
1. If you do not find books at NLU in I-Share that satisfy your topic, click on "I-Share Catalog" in the navigation bar at the top of the screen.
2. Search in the same manner as you did in the catalog for National-Louis University (see steps under "How Do I Search for Books?" above).
4. Once you find a book you want, click the "Request" link on the black navigation bar at the top of the screen.
5. Select your "Home Library" by choosing National-Louis University in the drop-down menu. Enter your "Library Borrower ID" and "Last Name" in the appropriate fields and then click the "Login" button.
6. Once the Login is confirmed, ignore the drop-down menu and click "OK."
7. Enter your "Library Borrower ID" again.
8. Make sure that "National-Louis University" is listed in the "Library where you will pick up item:" box.
9. Go to the drop-down menu in the "Desk/office where you will pick up item:" box and select the campus library at which you'd like to pick up the book or "NLU Mail" if you want the book mailed to you.
10. Click the "Submit Request" button to submit your request.
11. The next screen will should say, "Your request is now in process." You now can check its status by accessing your patron information from the "My Account" button.
NOTE: This process could take 2-4 weeks, so start your research early!
Created by Tracy Ruppman and Victoria West-Pawl
Updated 5/31/06-tjr
