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UW Libraries Search

Tips for using UW Libraries Search to find Books & Ebooks
  • Login to your UW NetID to take full advantages of the services provided through your library account.
  • Use quotation marks around your subject's name to search for them as a keyword: "Richard Wright"
  • Particularly if your subject is an author, it can be helpful to use UW Libraries Search Advanced Search to search for them as a subject, rather than just as a keyword. For example: Subject [ Richard Wright ] ; Keyword/Any Field [ political ]
  • Notice how many results you get when you try different keywords and subject terms
  • When reviewing Item Details, note Subjects to identify additional search terms
  • You don't need to use "AND" between keywords in UW Libraries Search
  • Make use of the limiters on the left side of your search page.
  • Click the title link to display item details (library location; call number, availability, etc.)
  • Use UW Libraries Search Advanced Search for complex searches and limits
    For example: Subject [ Civil Rights ] ; Keyword/Any Field [ African-Americans ]
Sample Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • Wright, Richard,-1908-1960-Political and social views
  • African Americans - Political conditions
  • African Americans - Social conditions
  • Asian Americans - Political conditions
  • Asian Americans - Social conditions
  • Chicanos - Political conditions
  • Chicanos - Social conditions
Library of Congress Call Numbers (African Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, Chicanos)
  • Call numbers are both the subject and physical location of items.
  • E184-185.98 "Elements in the Population"

The Internet Archive

How do I search for ebooks?

Note: Some ebooks require you to set up a personal account in order to view them. Many require you to have Adobe Digital Editions installed in order to download the full ebook for offline reading.

How to Find Books

Use UW Library search to find books and other physical materials at UW Libraries and Summit (A consortia of 37 libraries). More.

How Do I Request Books Not Owned By UW?

Sometimes you may discover a book or other materials listed in UW Libraries Search that we do not own. Don’t fret, you may still be able to obtain it through Interlibrary loan (ILL).