Searching: Getting Started: Books at Roosevelt

When you click the link to the RU Catalog, you are taken to what we call the Classic Catalog. The Classic Catalog is a good option for very specific searches, for instance when you have a specific title or author in mind.

Your other option for searching the catalog is VuFind. When you enter the Classic Catalog, you will see a link next to the words New Catalog Interface; clicking that will take you to VuFind. The VuFind catalog is very useful when you are doing a general search, for example, when you don't have a specific book in mind and would like to browse a variety of books.

VuFind also allows you to create a free account. You can use this account to store your RU ID number and easily request books. It also allows you to save books in a Favorites folder, lets you comment on books, and also creates RSS feeds so that you can subscribe to a search that you have tried in the catalog.

If you have questions about either catalog, be sure to ask a librarian!

The quickest option for finding books is to look in the RU Catalog to see if the library owns a copy of the book you need.

1. Go to the library's home page
2. Click RU Catalog
3. If you know your book's title or author, type it in the box, select title or author from the drop-down list, and click Search.
4. If you aren't looking for a specific book and simply want to browse either type some keywords in the box and click Search, or type a keyword and select Subject to see a list of subjects.

When you have found a book in the RU Catalog, pay attention to the Location of the book, as well as its Call Number and Status:

• Chicago Circulating Books--Auditorium 10th Floor
  • These books are located in the Auditorium Building and can be checked out.
• Schaumburg Campus Library--Room 140
  • These books are located at the Schaumburg campus library and can be checked out, except for those with call numbers starting with REF or PERIODICAL.
• Oversized Books--Ask at Auditorium Reference Desk
  • These books are located in the Auditorium Building, and can be accessed by walking to the end of the library's circulating book collection. These books can be checked out.
• Performing Arts Library--Chicago--Auditorium 11th Floor
  • These books are located in the Performing Arts Library, on the 11th floor of the Auditorium Building, and can be checked out, except for those with call numbers starting with REF or PERIODICAL..
• Chicago Reference-- 10th Floor---Non-Circulating
  • These books are located in the Auditorium Building and cannot be checked out.
• Center for New Deal--Auditorium Bldg--Non-Circulating
  • These books are located in the Center For New Deal Studies and cannot be checked out; to view a book from the Center, inquire at the library reference desk on the 10th floor.
• Available online to current RU users
  • Books with this location are eBooks that can be read fully online. To access an eBook, click the "Connect to Resource" link to view.

Other locations: Contact us by phone, IM, email, or in person for help if a location not listed above appears.

By Phone

Audtorium Building 

Reference: 312-341-3643
Circulation: 312-341-3639

Schaumburg

847-619-7980

Performing Arts Library

312-341-3651

Gage Library

312-341-3198

By E-Mail

Click Here to open our e-mail form; we will respond in 1 - 2 business days