Skip to Main Content
We are working to upgrade the research experience by making ongoing improvements to our Research Guides.
You may encounter changes in the look and feel of the Research Guides website along with structural changes to our existing guides. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please let us know.

Library "Do-It-Yourself" (DIY)

I want to find books on my topic

Enter a keyword that describes your topic.
In the FAU Libraries Catalog, it is usually best to keep your search simple.      

Examples: bilingual education; gothic architecture; greek utopias; cochlear implants.

Review the search results page for relevant items. The results page includes basic information on an item like title, publication date, format, and campuses that have the item.

When you find a relevant book, click on the Title to see the full record. 

List of results from library catalog.


The full catalog record includes Subject headings that describe what a book is about. To find more books with the same heading, click on that heading.

See the full record for subject headings.


Write down call numbers of relevant books (or text them to your phone through FAU LIBRARIES CATALOG). 
Books are organized on the shelves by subject, so when you find a book on the shelf browse the section for other relevant books.

Your catalog search may include items with call numbers from more than one area, so you may want to browse more than just one area.

Text the location and call number.