Frequently Asked Questions
Finding and Checking Out Books
How do I find books?
To find books and other resources such as videos, maps, and music recordings in the UWM Libraries' collections, search PantherCat, the online catalog. You can search for a specific book by title or author. Use the keyword search if you are looking for books on a specific topic. For more information, check the Guide to Searching PantherCat, use the Help pages available in PantherCat, or see the Using PantherCat tutorial.
As you identify titles of interest, examine each book's record for location, call number, and status:
- The location "Stacks" indicates the general collection. The "Stacks" are areas of shelving located all over the library. Use the first letter of the call number to determine where to go in the building. For call numbers starting with:
In location you may also see a number of special areas in the building, such as Music Library, Reference, Archives, etc. Ask a librarian at the Information Desk for help if you are unsure where to go.A-L, P go to the 3rd floor M go to the 2nd floor and across to the east wing N, Q, R go to the 2nd floor - west wing S-Z go to the lower level - east wing. - The call number is essential to locating any item. For most books, the libraries use the Library of Congress classification system, which consists of letters and numbers. The first letter or letters represent a subject area. Within a broad subject area, the books are arranged in numerical order. Since books on the same subject are given similar call numbers, once you locate a call number, browse the shelves to find more books on the same topic. See below for more information regarding call numbers.
- The status indicates whether the book is available to be checked out. If the status says "Not checked out," the book should be on the shelf. You can check it out at the circulation desk in the lobby of the west wing with a valid student, faculty, or staff ID. If the book is checked out to another user, you may place an online "Recall Request" via PantherCat. For more information about online recall requests, check PantherCat Help.
Electronic book information is available on the Electronic Books page.
Does the library have books for UWM courses?
Usually not; library collections do not in general overlap with what is available in the UWM Bookstore. Our collection development budget could not withstand ordering dozens of copies of books every few years (as new editions are released) for each UWM class.
You may search the library catalog using these instructions to check if the library has any book title. UW System Borrowing may also be used to obtain course books, however the Interlibrary Loan Office does not provide textbooks that are required for classes.
Course materials are occasionally placed on reserve by instructors. Select the Course Reserve link on the homepage to search for these items.
You can see which books are required for classes online, via the bookstore's textbooks information. The library also provides links to several online booksellers, which may be used to search for the best price for course books.
It is the responsibility of students to acquire textbooks required for courses. You can discuss your options with your instructor.
What are call numbers and what do they mean?
In order to locate a book, or any item, in the UWM Libraries, you need to know its call number. What is a call number? Here is an example:
- BF5153 .V58 1994
Library materials are shelved in order by call number. For example, all the items with call numbers beginning "BF" will be together. These letters represent a subject area, in this case, Psychology. This system of arranging materials is called the Library of Congress classification system.
Within a broad subject area, books will be in numerical order using the number following the first letter or letters. For example, a book with the call number BF5153 will be shelved far after a book with the call number BF578, since 5153 is much greater than 578. Once you find the location of BF5153, several books may have call numbers beginning "BF5153..." These books will be in order according to the letters and numbers after BF5153. For example all these books will come before our book, BF5153 .V58 1994:
- BF5153 .R33 1998
- BF5153 .R45 1996
- BF5153 .S64 1985
To find call numbers for library materials, search PantherCat, the UWM Libraries' online catalog. You can search PantherCat to find a specific book or journal, like The Grapes of Wrath or Journal of Literary Criticism, or search to find books about a topic like computer programming. When using PantherCat, you can click on "Help" at any time to access online help screens. You can also come to the Information Desk, first floor West wing, or call [414] 229-4659 during scheduled hours and a librarian will help you.
Help! I can't find this book or journal on the shelf.
Double-check the location, call number, and status in the online catalog (see above). Additionally there are sorting rooms on each floor and nearby book trucks holding titles waiting to be re-shelved.
If the item is labeled "In Process" you should fill out the In Process / On Order Book Request form. If you still cannot locate the item, check the Trace A Missing Item page for further instructions. If the book is truly lost, it is often quicker to request the item from another library. See How do I find materials the UWM libraries do not own? for help with this process.
How do I check out books?
Your UWM ID is also your library card. For most library materials, take the item to the Circulation Desk in the main lobby of the west wing with your ID card. For items from special areas, such as the Music and Curriculum Libraries, take the item to the service window in that particular area.
Some library materials cannot be checked out. See the library Circulation Policies for more information.
How do I renew books?
To renew a book, you can log in to your library personal record via PantherCat, the online library catalog. From there you can view your library fines (if any), see what books you have checked out with their due dates, and renew materials. See the PantherCat help pages for full instructions on renewing materials online.
Question #6
How do you find a call number for a material?