All Library resources, whether in print or electronic format are listed in the catalog. If you are having difficulty using the catalog or you want to confirm the availability or location of a book, please contact the Reference department at 773-702-7715.

1. Print Books
2. Electronic Books
3. What if the book is off the shelf?
4. What if you don't own a book I need?

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1. Print books

Most books you need will shelve on the second floor by the call numbers QH (Natural History/General Biology) to R (Medicine). A guide to the call numbers by floor is available.

However, there are five areas in the John Crerar Library where you can find books in the biomedical sciences. In four areas, books will have a Library of Congress number.

1. (Sci stacks) QH - R = second floor
   - see example
   
   
2. (Sci stacks) Any other Library of Congress number, for example laboratory animals (SF), biotechnology (TP)= third floor
   - see example
   
   
3. Reference (SciRef) = first floor, west of the Reference counter
   - see example
   
   
4. Reserve (SciRes) = first floor, behind the Circulation/ Reserves counter
   - see example
   
   
5. Dewey Stacks = lower level. Take the stairs at the west end of the building, and turn left. Note: You cannot access the Dewey collection from the lower level next to the USITE Crerar Lab. Books are arranged in compact shelving. If you need help operating the shelving go to the Circulation/Reserves counter.
   - see example

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2. Electronic books

Electronic textbooks, like their print counterparts, are listed individually in the catalog. Most electronic books in biology are from the NetLibrary collection. For example, look up this book in the catalog: Lung biology in health and disease. Vol. 126, Pediatric asthma [computer file] / edited by Shirley Murphy, H. William Kelly. Imprint: New York : M. Dekker, c1999.
- see example

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3. What if the book is off the shelf?

If you've looked for a book that that is supposed to be on the shelf ("not charged") try these steps:

1. If the book is checked out place a recall to have it returned.
2. Look in the re-shelving areas behind the Circulation/Reserves counter and on the book trucks at the top of the stairwells on the second or third floors, depending on call number.
3. Look in both photocopier rooms on each floor
4. Check at the Reference Desk to be certain of your information
5. Stop at the Circulation Desk and fill out a Search Form. (We'll do the looking from this point on.) Searches take between 1-5 working days.