Skip to Main Content
Oklahoma City Community College Keith Leftwich Memorial Library

Library Research Help

Learn how to use Library resources during the research process.

Reasons for Using Books

  1. Detailed Information
  2. Broad Overview 
  3. Overview of the Big Issue
  4. Background Information

Find Books, eBooks, Online Films, and More

Search Books, eBooks, and More in the OCCC Library Catalog

Use the OCCC Library Catalog to identify OCCC books, eBooks, and more on your topic. Here are some tips for searching in the OCCC Library Catalog: 

  • Keywords: Use keywords, not sentences like you may do in Google (example: wound care NOT how do you treat wounds)
  • Add Keywords: You may use multiple keywords when doing a search. Start with one and add others as needed to narrow your search (example: stroke and rehabilitation)
  • Publication Date: Be aware of the publication date. After your initial search, update the publication date to get rid of older titles in your results list.
  • Material Type: If you are looking for a specific material format, select from the "Material Type" list under "Limit Search Results" on the left.

OK-Share

Students may check out books from libraries of other higher education institutions in Oklahoma using an OK-Share Card. OK-Share cards are only valid for the current semester and may be used in most Oklahoma college libraries. Once an OK-Share card is received, you may go to any OK-Share participating library to utilize their facilities and borrow materials from their library. For more information, please visit the link below.

Interlibrary Loan

If the OCCC Library does not have the book or article that you need, you may be able to use Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

What is ILL?

  • ILL is a free service available to OCCC students, faculty, and staff.
  • It allows the OCCC Library to borrow books and articles we do not own from libraries across the U.S. 

ILL links libraries across the nation for sharing resources, based on the principles that no single library can acquire everything and that furthering knowledge is in the public interest.

Searching the Online Library Catalog Video (2:24)

Don't like Video Tutorials? Follow these steps:

Step 1: To search for books, eBooks, DVDs, etc. in the OCCC Library, visit the OCCC Library Catalog. You will find the Library Catalog link on the Library's website.

Step 2: After you get to the Library's catalog, you can do a title, author, ISBN, etc. search. The default search is "All Fields" which is a keyword search.

Screenshot of OCCC Library Catalog search

 

Step 3: After you hit "Search" you will be taken to your results page. Use the "Limit Search Results" column on the left to limit by material type, home location, publication date, etc. 

Screen shot of limit search results in OCCC Library Catalog

 

Step 4: For more information on a title, click on the item's title (blue link). You will see the detailed information, a summary of the title, the table of contents, and sometimes, a review. Note: at the bottom you will find the location (where in the Library the item is) plus the call number (the shelf number's specific location) to find the title.

Image of detailed record in OCCC Library Catalog