Get Help
Skip to Main Content

Need a Topic?

Resources for exploring and choosing a topic for your research paper or speech

Find Books: Search the catalog and watch how-to videos

Search OneSearch, the library catalog

To find books, eBooks, videos and other materials that LMU owns or subscribes to.



How to: Search for Books Video


How to: Find Books in the Library

Not in OneSearch? Get it delivered with LINK+

Not at LMU? Fill out a book request form in ILLIAD* and have it delivered to LMU.

*Please note it can take up to three weeks for a book requested through ILLiad to arrive at LMU.


How Are Books Organized?

Library of Congress Classification System

  • The Library of Congress classification system organizes books by broad subject area.

  • Each item is assigned a call number, which is like the book's address.

  • Each call number begins with a letter or multiple letters, followed by numbers and additional combinations

  • Sample Call Number:   HQ784.V53 A53 2007

  • The beginning letters of a call number represent a broad subject area (ie HQ784 is "child development")