PCC Library How To Page

How to find books using the LINCCSearch Catalog

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The most efficient way to locate library materials  is by using the library catalog.
	What is a library catalog?

A catalog lists or displays titles, articles, or items of some sort.

Some examples:

• The JC Penny Catalog lists articles for sale at JC Penny
• The PCC College Catalog lists courses offered here
• Lang's Catalog is "of the leading sources of Model T parts and accessories"

So... a library catalog lists or displays the items that are available to patrons of the library

What does a library catalog look like?

Some catalogs come in print form (card catalogs) and some are electronic databases - just like the JC Penny Catalog comes in a print form (big thick book) and the electronic version that you can search on the Internet.

Electronic catalogs are databases...
	What's a database?

A database is a collection of information (data) which has been arranged for easy searching and retrieving of specific pieces of data. Online catalogs (like JC Penny's), electronic phone books, search engines... are all databases.

So... where is the PCC catalog?

PCC's Library Catalog is called LINCCSearch it is accessible through the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You will find a link to the library catalog on the PCC Library Home Page

LINCCSearch is part of the "Library Information Network for Community Colleges". The LINCC database contains records of all the library materials in all the Florida Community Colleges. LINCCSearch can search for library materials (books, videos, music cds...) at the PCC Winter Haven Campus Library or at PCC/USF in Lakeland or at any Florida Community College.

How does it work?

LINCCSearch is simple to use ...

Once you access LINCCSearch you have to make some choices:

1. What word or words are you going to use to search - what's your "search term"?

2. Where are you going to search - Winter Haven, Lakeland, Polk (both WH & LK)?

3. How are you going to search - by author, title, or subject?

Where is the book?

After you have made your choices, click on "search" and LINCCSearch will match your choices to materials in the library. You should receive a list of results that match your search. Click on the blue title to see more information about that title and to find the items "call number". Each item record includes: information about the author, publication, subject headings... at the bottom of the record you will find the LC call number - this is the items "address". The call number tells where the book is located on the library shelves. For more information about LC call numbers see http://lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/lcco.html or http://www.lscc.cc.fl.us/library/guides/callnos.htm

Please feel free to ask the library staff for assistance if you are having trouble locating items.

What if your search yields "no results" ? 

Don't Give Up!

1. Try changing your search term (example: cats instead of felines)

2. Try using a broader term (example: holidays instead of Mother's Day)

3. Ask the Librarian for assistance - they love that, makes them feel needed

Updated: 2/2/2004