Carbondale Library Help: Find Books Fast

The Carbondale Library is a valuable resource for book lovers, students, and researchers in the community. With a vast collection of books, audiobooks, e-books, and other materials, finding what you need can be a daunting task. However, with the right tools and strategies, you can find books fast and efficiently. In this article, we will explore the various ways to search for books at the Carbondale Library, including online catalogs, search engines, and library databases.
Using the Online Catalog

The Carbondale Library’s online catalog is a powerful tool for finding books and other materials. The catalog allows you to search by title, author, subject, or keyword, making it easy to locate specific books or browse through the library’s collection. To access the online catalog, simply visit the Carbondale Library’s website and click on the “Catalog” tab. From there, you can enter your search terms and browse through the results.
Searching by Title or Author
One of the most common ways to search for books is by title or author. If you know the title of the book you’re looking for, simply type it into the search bar and press enter. If you’re not sure of the exact title, you can try searching by author instead. The online catalog will return a list of results that match your search terms, including books, audiobooks, and e-books.
For example, if you're looking for books by J.K. Rowling, you can search by author and browse through the list of results. You can also use the advanced search feature to narrow down your results by genre, publication date, or format.
Search Type | Example Search Terms |
---|---|
Title | "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" |
Author | "J.K. Rowling" |
Subject | "Fantasy fiction" |

Using Search Engines and Library Databases

In addition to the online catalog, the Carbondale Library also provides access to search engines and library databases that can help you find books and other materials. These resources include Google Books, WorldCat, and EBSCOhost, among others. These databases allow you to search for books and articles across multiple libraries and collections, making it easier to find what you need.
Using Google Books
Google Books is a powerful search engine that allows you to search for books and other materials across the internet. You can use Google Books to search for specific titles, authors, or subjects, and even preview snippets of text from the books. To access Google Books, simply visit the Google website and click on the “Books” tab.
For example, if you're looking for books on climate change, you can search by subject and browse through the list of results. You can also use the advanced search feature to narrow down your results by publication date, format, or language.
Some of the benefits of using Google Books include:
- Access to a vast collection of books and other materials
- Ability to preview snippets of text from the books
- Option to purchase or borrow e-books and other digital materials
Additional Tips and Resources
In addition to the online catalog and search engines, the Carbondale Library also provides a number of other resources and tools to help you find books and other materials. These include:
- Library staff: The library staff are always happy to help you find what you’re looking for. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance if you need it.
- Book reviews and recommendations: The library website and social media channels often feature book reviews and recommendations from staff and other readers. These can be a great way to discover new authors and titles.
- Author events and book clubs: The library hosts a number of author events and book clubs throughout the year. These can be a great way to meet other readers and learn more about your favorite authors and books.
How do I search for books in the Carbondale Library’s online catalog?
+To search for books in the Carbondale Library’s online catalog, simply visit the library’s website and click on the “Catalog” tab. From there, you can enter your search terms and browse through the results.
What is Google Books and how can I use it to find books?
+Google Books is a search engine that allows you to search for books and other materials across the internet. You can use Google Books to search for specific titles, authors, or subjects, and even preview snippets of text from the books.
Can I get help from library staff if I’m having trouble finding a book?
+Yes, the library staff are always happy to help you find what you’re looking for. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance if you need it.