Library: Accessible ... Exceptional
Finding Books, Audio, Video, etc.
This is just a very basic "How To" about finding books at the CSU Library. For a more detailed tutorial or help, go to Hands On Library Instruction or Ask a Librarian. You can also watch streaming videos on selected help topics wherever you see this icon: 
To find books in the CSU library, use the SCHOLAR Catalog searchbox above, where you may search by author, title, subject, or keyword.
SCHOLAR also provides access to many types of materials, including sound recordings, computer software, microfilms, videos and films, magazines and journals, as well as electronic resources and web sites.
How do I find the book on the shelves? Once you have found a record for your book in SCHOLAR, make sure to write down the book's call number and note the location code. This will tell you if the book is in the Library or the University Library, and exactly which floor or collection in the University Library. SEE Library Floor Plans, Book Locations by Call Number , and Understanding Call Numbers.
Can't find what you're looking for? If the title you are looking for does not appear in SCHOLAR, of if you are unhappy with your subject or keyword search results, click on the OhioLINK button at the top of the SCHOLAR page. This will automatically take your search to the OhioLINK catalog.
What is OhioLINK? OhioLINK, is a statewide consortium of 85 Ohio colleges and universities. CSU students, faculty, staff, and community users registered with the library may borrow OhioLINK books that are unavailable at CSU because the books are either not owned or are checked out, missing, or "for library use only".
How do I get the book if it is available in the OhioLINK catalog? If a book is available at another OhioLINK institution, you can request it by clicking on the REQUEST THIS ITEM link on the book's record in the OhioLINK catalog. Make sure you select Cleveland State University as your institution and enter you CSU I.D. number when requested. Make sure, too, to specify your pick-up location.
How long will it take to get my book through OhioLINK? In general, it takes 3-5 working days for the materials to arrive. Check your circulation records in SCHOLAR to keep track of your requests. In addition, as a member of the CSU community, you may borrow directly at OhioLINK institutions with a valid CSU ID.
For further research — Scholars conducting thorough research may also want to search WorldCat, an international database of materials published worldwide. In WorldCat, you can search comprehensively for a given topic and find out which libraries own a particular item. If you identify materials in WorldCat that are not available at CSU or in the OhioLINK Central Catalog, you may be able to request these items from our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Department. Read more about our ILL services .
Other Sources You may also want to check the catalogs of local public libraries, or see what kind of electronic books (E-books) are available. See Other Sources of Books.