The CCA Libraries Catalog is an online database you can search of all the items held in the CCA Libraries collection. Every item has a record in the catalog that tells you where it is located in the library and if it is available for check out.

You can search for:

• Books
• Periodical Titles
• Audiovisual Materials (DVDs, CDs, etc.)
• Sound Recordings
• Electronic Resources
• Maps
• Music Scores
• CCA Theses
• Course Reserves
• Archives and Manuscripts

You can access the catalog from the CCA Libraries homepage (http://libraries.cca.edu) from any computer that has web access.

The catalog record for each item will always give you its Location, which lets you know a) whether your item is at the Meyer Library in Oakland or the Simpson Library in San Francisco, and b) in what area of the library your item is (i.e. SF Stacks or Oakland Videos).

Use the item’s Call # to find its exact location on the shelf.

By clicking on the item’s Location you can bring up a general location map that shows where your item is shelved.

Every item held by the CCA Libraries is assigned a unique combination of numbers and letters called its call number. An item’s call number works like an address, telling you where to find it on the shelves.

Call numbers are assigned based on subject matter and other characteristics like author’s last name and year of publication. Generally, items on the same subject are shelved together, alphabetized by author’s last name.

An item’s call number will be given in its catalog record and taped somewhere prominent on the actual item. Be sure to write down the call number before you try to locate the item.

In the item’s catalog record, check its Status.

Items can have the following statuses:

• Check Shelf: it should be in the library and available for check out
• Due Date: it's checked out, is/was due back on listed date
• In Transit: it's on its way from one library to the other
• On Order: it's been ordered, but not yet received
• In Process: it's been received, but not ready for borrowing
• Billed: the item is seriously overdue
• In Bindery: the item is damaged, awaiting repair or rebinding
• Library Use Only: it's in the library but may not be checked out

Go to the CCA Libraries Course Reserves page and select one of the following:

• Instructor's Name - enter last name first.
• Course Name - enter the course title and/or number.
• Course Reserves are shelved behind the circulation desks at Meyer and Simpson libraries, ask for them by the call number.

Note: There's a link to the Course Reserves page on the navigation bar for the catalog

Use the CCA Library catalog Video Search page (there's a link to it on the navigation bar of the Catalog).

You can also do an advanced search of the catalog and limit your results to the Material Type for Video/DVD.

Go the CCA Libraries Theses Search page (there's a link to it on the navigation bar of the Catalog) where you can search for theses by student name or by program.

You can also browse all of the theses using the dropdown menus for MFA and MA degree programs.

Theses are library-use-only; ask for them at the circulation desk.

No, you can search the catalog for journal or periodical titles, but you cannot search for specific articles within the journals or periodicals.

For more help finding articles, please see the CCA Libraries Articles and Periodicals Search Help page.

Items may be renewed online, over the phone (Call 415.703.9558 or 510.594.3658) or in person.

To renew online: From the CCA Libraries homepage, select Renew Books from the Quick Links list. From there, login to your account by entering your name and your CCA library barcode, which is on the back of your CCA ID.

Books can be renewed up to three times, and magazines and videos can be renewed once, providing no holds have been placed on them. Reserve materials may not be renewed. Alumni are allowed one renewal. Regardless of where they were checked out, items may be renewed or returned at either library.

Yes, you may request up to three books per day via the circulation desk. If you need help determining the specific item to request, ask a reference librarian for advice. Delivery takes 24-72 hours. Some rare items, reference books and some periodicals are not available via this service.

Searching the catalog, you may have noticed the options to “Save to List” or “Save Marked Records.” One feature of the catalog is the ability to save a list of records.

As you search the catalog, you can check-mark the box next to any record you’re interested in saving then click “Save Marked Records.”

Or, from within an item’s record, click the “Save to List” option.

At any point you can click “View Saved List” to see what you’ve saved so far and email the search results to yourself or someone else.

Keyword searching is what you are probably already familiar with from using web search engines like Google. You think of words or phrases relevant to your topic and enter them in the search box. A keyword search will look for those words anywhere in the title, author, subject and notes fields of catalog records.

Subject searching allows you to look for items based on categories or subject headings. Every item in the catalog is assigned at least one subject heading, which comes from a predetermined list of possible terms. The CCA catalog uses Library of Congress Subject Headings.

Research Tip: Keyword searching tends to give you a lot results, but often you’ll find that many of those results are irrelevant. Subject searching, on the other hand, is more precise, but LC Subject Headings can be difficult to use because the terms aren’t always obvious or intuitive.

A good strategy is to start with a keyword search and look at the best results from the keyword search to discover appropriate subject headings to use in a subject search.

Library staff are available during library hours if you need more help searching the catalog.

• Use the contact form to reach a staff member online
• Call SF (415.703.9574) or Oakland (510.594.3658)
• Come to the libraries and visit with a librarian in-person!