Library Catalog Search Tips
Keyword
AND, OR, NOT (Boolean operators)
Author
Title, Journal Title
Subject Headings
Search Strategies
Use the KU Library Catalog to find books on your topic.
Identify Keywords: Before searching the Library Catalog or other databases, choosing the right keywords is essential. Take a few minutes to write down all the words that describe your topic. For more help go to Search Strategy Worksheet (WCSU Libraries).
Follow the Bibliographic Trail: One proven method for gathering reliable information efficiently is to follow the citations or references from one source to another. The footnotes and/or references in a bibliography can lead you to other sources on the topic.
Browse Topics in the KU online catalog: Search for terms in the "Subjects" field. Then, click on the "Subjects" link to see other books about related topics. Examples are given below:
Diplomacy, Human geography, International cooperation, Nationalism.
Can't find it at KU? Search WorldCat, then borrow via Interlibrary Loan.
Find Books with Call Numbers