Book Discovery Tools

One of the interesting and sometimes challenging aspects of our work in libraries is to match a library user with the texts that he or she will most want to read, be it for research or entertainment.

If you intend to also read for fun this summer, chat with us, check out our Pinterest Boards, or try some of the tools, below. Each one enables you to explore a genre or factor a recommendation based upon authors or books you already enjoy.

Fiction Connection

Novelry (New! Sign up for its July launch)

Which Book?

Goodreads and Shelfari (for those who appreciate the added social networking)

Locate available copies of books on campus or within the UW-System by using the library catalog and its UW System search feature. The Madison Public Library, as part of the South Central Library System, is also an amazing resource for satisfying popular reading interests--search its catalog to locate items of interest. 

And, if you haven’t yet discovered it, Steenbock Library hosts its very own "Little Free Library" in which you can also freely exchange popular reading materials.

A Cozy Winter's Reading...

Are you looking to dig into some reading (apart from your required texts)?  If so, take a break and consider the list of titles generated by campus librarians during their annual book discussion.  While you wait to dig out, use the bibliography to find something to distract you from the anticipated local wintry scene.

Consult with your campus or public libraries to find available copies.

Handy links:

UW-Madison Library Catalog
Don’t forget the option to borrow from UW System Libraries!

LinkCat, South Central Wisconsin Library System Catalog

WorldCat (find library copies nationally, some internationally)

Extend Your Reach with Public Library Collections

Madison Public Library invites all Madison residents to sign up for its free library card. This additional library card will give you access to the public library system’s materials and resources which include its research databases, job and business resources, magazines, media, and popular reading collections.

Each Madison branch location, and its surrounding network of county libraries, supports a special collection of resources. See the list of libraries and collections. For instance, close to campus, the central branch (201 W Mifflin) boasts a small business collection and Monroe Street (1705 Monroe) a robust collection of audio books.

While campus and public library systems are not set up for mutual book retrieval and return, there are many public branch libraries throughout the city to make for a convenient visit. Within its own network of libraries, resources can be delivered to the branch location nearest to you.

The public library system is a great way to extend your reach to library materials and to supplement that which you obtain from our campus system.

For more information on signing up for a library card, visit one of Madison’s nine public branch libraries or visit its FAQ page for borrowing materials.

Openly-Accessible Resources

One of the many questions we receive at Steenbock Library is how one can access research-quality information online when one is not affiliated directly with the university (that is, as currently-enrolled students, faculty and staff). Visit this list of resources to find quality online content. While some of these resources will supply full-text content, others will serve as indexes to information that can be sought using your local public libraries and their respective Interlibrary Loan services.

Additionally, there are services available to alumni. Visit the Wisconsin Alumni Association Library Access page for information about publicly-available online collections and association membership benefits that include online access to two article databases.

Information is also available from our libraries’ website about borrowing privileges for residents (Wisconsin) and fee-based document delivery services.

Textbooks, Options & Alternatives

Need textbooks? Visit My UW Textbook list (Academics tab) or the University Bookstore Text Department site to see what texts may be required for your classes this coming term. In addition to the campus bookstore, you may also be able to purchase necessary texts from your local and/or independent new and used booksellers.

In addition to that which could be purchased, the frugal student may also wish to consult campus libraries and Reserve collections. Depending upon what your required reading may entail, some texts may be available in campus libraries. Search MadCat or expand your search to the UW-System to find items to borrow. Please do realize that while you may be able to renew those items from our campus and UW-System collections, demand for a particular item may initiate a recall in which you would be prompted to return the item so that another library user could also view the text.

Many texts are also placed on Reserve in campus libraries. Visit My UW (Academics tab) or Learn@UW to find information about all reserve items that may be available for your class—either in a digitized format or held physically at a library location. (In this latter instance, you can also search for Reserve items using the MadCat Course Reserve search).

Library Resources for New Grads

If you have completed your university studies--we congratulate you on that achievement. And, do you know that there are library resources you can continue to access once you have left UW-Madison?

Visit the Wisconsin Alumni Association Library Resources page for information about publicly-available online collections and association membership benefits that also include online access to two sizeable, article databases.

Information is also available from our libraries’ website about borrowing privileges for residents (Wisconsin) and non-residents and fee-based document delivery services.

If you remain in the state of Wisconsin, you will also be able to use Badgerlink, a project of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning that supports access to quality online information resources. See the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

Wherever you go, get to know your local public and academic libraries where you will be able to visit and to access many of their resources, in-house and online.

Equipment Checkout System

Need to borrow a laptop computer or camera equipment?

Visit the Equipment Checkout System to find available laptops (Macs or PCs) and camera equipment (still or video) from campus lab locations.

The system site will indicate a location and the number of laptops or cameras available from that location. Tabs link to policy information and to a search form for confirming the return date.

Should you need access to other or additional audio-visual equipment, College Library maintains a useful list of contacts and services.

Extend Your Library Access

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month with Madison Public Library!

Madison Public Library invites all Madison residents to sign up for its free library card. This additional library card will give you access to the public library system’s materials and resources which include its research databases, job and business resources, magazines, media, and popular reading collections.

While campus and public library systems are not set up for mutual book retrieval and return, there are many public branch libraries throughout the city to make for a convenient visit. The public library system is a great way to extend your reach to library materials and to supplement that which you obtain from the campus system.

During September, Madison Public Library will also be giving a small gift to everyone who signs up for a new library card.

For more information on signing up for a library card, visit one of Madison’s nine public libraries or visit its FAQ page for borrowing materials.

Reading the Body Eclectic

Campus librarians gather annually for a book-sharing event, replete with discussions and recommendations. If you are looking for something to distract you from the local wintry scene or simply need to come up with that 'little something' for a friend or family member, consider this year’s eclectic body of titles (generated December 2008).

Consult with your campus or public libraries to find available copies.

Handy links:

MadCat
Don’t forget UW System search and borrowing options!

LinkCat, South Central Wisconsin Library System

WorldCat

Textbooks

Need textbooks? Visit the University Bookstore Text Department site to see what texts may be required for your classes this coming term. In addition to the campus bookstore, you may also be able to purchase necessary texts from your local and/or independent new and used booksellers.

In addition to that which could be purchased, the frugal student may also wish to consult campus libraries and Reserve collections. Depending upon what your required reading may entail, some texts may be available in campus libraries. Search MadCat or expand your search to the UW-System to find items to borrow.

Many texts are also placed on Reserve in campus libraries. Visit My UW to find information about all reserve items that may be available for your class—either in a digitized format or held physically at a library location. (In this latter instance, you can also search for Reserve items using the MadCat Course Reserve search).

Library Resources for New Graduates

If you are completing your university studies—we congratulate you on that achievement. And, did you know that there are library resources you can continue to access once you have left UW-Madison?

Visit the Wisconsin Alumni Association Library Resources page for information about publicly-available online collections and association membership benefits that also include online access to two sizeable, article databases.

Information is also available from our libraries’ Website about borrowing privileges for residents (Wisconsin) and non-residents and fee-based document delivery services.

If you remain in the state of Wisconsin, you will also be able to use Badgerlink, a project of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning that supports access to quality online information resources. See the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

Wherever you go, do acquaint yourself with your local public and academic libraries where you will be able to visit and to access many of their resources, in-house and online.

Library Resources for the New Grad

If you have just completed your university studies—we congratulate you on that achievement. And, did you know that there are library resources you can continue to access once you have left our institution?

Visit the Wisconsin Alumni Association Library Access page for information about publicly-available online collections and association membership benefits that also include online access to two sizeable, article databases.

Information is also available from our libraries’ Website about borrowing privileges for residents (Wisconsin) and non-residents and fee-based document delivery services.

If you remain in the state of Wisconsin, you will also be able to use Badgerlink, a project of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning that supports access to quality online information resources. See the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.


Wherever you go, do acquaint yourself with your local public and academic libraries where you will be able to visit and to access many of their resources in-house and online.