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Finding Audio/Visual Materials in the Catalog

Where are the Library's AV items listed?
Using the online catalog to find AV items
Where are the AV items stored?
How are AV items arranged?
What if an AV item is not on the shelf?
What if the Library does not own an AV item?
Where else can I find an AV item?

Where are the Library's AV items listed?

All audiovisual (AV) items in the Library are listed in the Library's catalog which is available from any Internet-connected computer. AV items consist of videotapes, audiotapes, CDs and DVDs.

Using the Online Catalog to Find AV items

Spelling is important. Capitalization is not. Punctuation may be. Write down all call numbers before going to the shelf.

A quick way to see which videos the library owns is to use the Basic Search and enter one or two keywords and then limit the search to videorecordings by using the Quick Limits box at the right of the screen. You may also browse the audiovisuals by author, title, subject, and call number.

Note: In addition to the call number, an AV item has letters in front of the call number, indicating that it is shelved in a special place. For example, A.V. PN1997 .J38

Where are AV items stored?

Audiovisual items are stored in one of two closed areas in the Library.

You may view the more popular titles in our collection in two glass cabinets in the Grand Hall. The remaining videos, tape recordings, etc. are kept in another closed area.

Please ask for assistance to retrieve all audiovisual materials.

Arrangement On the Shelf

AV items are arranged according to the Library of Congress System of Classification which uses letters and numbers in combination to identify and group books by subjects. This call number usually appears on the spine of the case in a vertical manner, as shown below.

QC(Broad Subject)
851(Specific Subject)
L43(Author Code
1978(Date Published)

What if an AV item is not on the shelf?

If an AV item is not on the shelf, check the online catalog again to be certain the call number is correct, the location says AUDIOVISUALS and the status is "On Shelf".
Check at the Circulation Desk to see if it is about to be re-shelved.
If an AV item is not found in any of these areas, ask the Circulation staff to place a hold on it, or, if it has been missing for a while, request that a search be conducted for it.
If an AV item cannot be located, you may want to try to obtain it from another library by making an Interlibrary Loan Request.
The AV item may also be available in another library within driving distance. Try searching other library catalogs for the item.

What if the Library does not own an AV item?

Ask for assistance from a Library staff member.
It may be possible to locate the AV item in another library's collection and borrow it through Interlibrary Loan.
The AV item may also be available in another library within driving distance. Try searching other library catalogs for the item via WorldCat.

Other Places to Find AV Items

Another way to find AV items is to search WorldCat, a worldwide online catalog. This catalog contains listings for millions of items, including AV materials owned by libraries around the world, including Logan Library.
Items not owned by Logan Library may be obtained by making an Interlibrary Loan Request.