Searching the Library Catalog

The quickest way to find books is by searching the catalog on the main library website.

From the UW-Madison Libraries homepage, choose “Catalog” from the drop-down menu.
Type a book title, author name, or other subject keywords into the search box and press “Enter” on your keyboard.
You will be directed to a results page with a list of items resulting from your search terms.
If you click on a book title, you can look at its full record, which provides more information about the book, as well as where to find the book.

If you want to have more control over search results, you can try an “Advanced Search” within the library catalog
- On the UW-Madison Libraries homepage, the “Advanced Search” option is in blue text in the right-hand corner under the Catalog search box.
- The options within the advanced catalog search window allow you to limit searches by:
  - Subject
  - Call number
  - Publication Year
  - And more…
There is a “Format” list to your right on the advanced search page screen. It is underlined in blue. This list will give you options for limiting the format of media sources returned with your search results.
Above the “Format” option, on your right, there is the option to select “Locations,” including specific UW-Madison Libraries and other UW campuses’ libraries. You can limit searches to a specific library or libraries by clicking on “Locations,” clicking on a UW campus, and then clicking on a library.