University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
The basic Library Catalog search is a keyword search--you simply type your search terms into the box, and the catalog retrieves all the items that have your search terms in their catalog records.
Searching by subject is another way to find materials that focus on your topic. Each item in the Library Catalog has one or more subject terms (headings) assigned to it, When you search by subject, you retrieve only the items that have the subject for which you searched. To make a subject heading more specific, subheadings are added after it. A subheading is separated from the main heading by a double dash (--).
Headings by Discipline
You can search by broad discipline to find books on general topics. These headings will typically produce hundreds of results.
Nuclear Physics
Quantum Theory
Physicists
Physics
Physics--History
Relativity
Once you have your subject terms, to search by subject in the Library Catalog, in the dropdown list under "Search for," select "Subject."
To find subject headings for a subject you are studying, first use keyword searching to find some books on your general topic. Then look at their records and see what subject terms they have. You can use the subject links in the catalog records to retrieve all the items with the same subject. However, this linking scheme has some quirks, so if it seems like it is returning far too many (or too few) items, try using the Library Catalog (aka Advanced Search) screen and a Subject or Subject Phrase search with your terms.
If you want to browse the library stacks, you can use these call numbers to find books on physics:
Q Science
QC Physics
QC 1-75 General
QC 81-114 Weights and Measures
QC 120-168.85 Descriptive and Experimental Mechanics
QC 170-197 Atomic Physics
QC 221-246 Acoustics
QC 251-338.5 Heat
QC 350-467 Optics. Light
QC 474-496.9 Radiation Physics
QC 501-766 Electricity and Magnetism
QC 770-798 Nuclear and Particle Physics
QC 801-809 Geophysics
QC 811-849 Geomagnetism
QC 851-999 Meteorology & Climatology
These books can be found on the fourth floor of the library stacks. Remember that given the interdisciplinary nature of liberal arts studies, you may find useful books with other call numbers too.
To find books from thousands of other libraries and request them through interlibrary loan, use WorldCat FirstSearch. You can search for books, journals, audiovisual materials, dissertations, and many other material types. When you find a resource you think would be useful in your research, you can fill out an interlibrary loan form, and Nash Library will request the book from another library.
