How do I find books?  

This is a basic guide that helps you locate a specific book (when you already have a title in mind) using LINC+, the default library catalogue search in NUS Libraries. 

This consists of the following steps

(i) Searching LINC+

(ii) Checking the physical location of book (Where is the book physically located?)

(iii) Checking the status of the book (Is the book available or checked out?)

(iv) Checkout the book if book is available for loan (How do I check-out the book?)

(v) Placing a hold on item if item is out on loan or in closed stacks (How do I place a hold or request if the book is not on shelf?)

(vi) Recommending the book be purchased or doing a inter-library loan if item is not held in NUS Libraries. (How do I obtain the book if NUS Libraries does not own it?)

If you are looking to browse for books that might be of interest you can do a keyword search or browse the sheves by call numbers. 

Let's say you are looking for a specific book, where you either know the  

(i) Title of the book (e.g. Introduction to Econometrics)

(ii) ISBN (e.g. 0321442539)

(iii) Call number (e.g HB139 Sto 2006)

and enter them into LINC+

Example of titles and ISBNs

Occasionally you will be given a citation like this

J.D.B. Miller, “Hedley Bull, 1932–1985” in J.D.B. Miller and R.J. Vincent, eds., Order and Violence. Hedley Bull and International Relations (Oxford, 1990), p. 5.

The book chapter "Hedley Bull, 1932–1985" is cited, to find it, search in LINC+ by the book title (not book chapter) Order and Violence. Hedley Bull and International Relations. 

Certain book titles have very generic titles such as Introduction to Econometrics . Moreover textbooks are often available in many editions. If you want a specific edition , instead of searching by title you can try searching by ISBN or call number of the book. 

You can also try doing a more specific search in the new advanced search by searching title AND author and limit by year.

If the item is in RBR (Reserve Books/Readings) , a RBR search by module should give you the specific title recommended by the lecturer.

For members of NUS Libraries only

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