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PEA_ST 2016 - Democracy and Authoritarianism: Books

Finding Books Using Discover@MU

The Discover@MU search includes our books, DVDs, recordings, and other physical materials, as well as articles, e-books, journals, videos, and other digital materials from library databases. 

Discover-at-MU search box

Find books owned by MU Libraries 
Start with a simple search using the search box on the MU library website. If you know the exact title of the item you need, use quotation marks to search, e.g. “Living Nations, Living Words”.

Choose UM Books to find items at all four campus libraries.

Screenshot of "UM Books" filter on Discover@MU search

 

You may see books available at the other UM Libraries. Click Show More to see the information on MU’s copy.

Locate the Book in the Library

Book results will show you:

  • Which campus library holds the book (look for MU in the location, and if you don't see it, click Show More to see more locations)
  • The Call Number location for the book - be sure to write this down or take a photo, before going to the shelves to find the book.
  • A Place Request button which will allow you to have the book pulled for you (note: this process is not necessarily the fastest way to get the book, as it depends on circulation staff having extra time to retrieve the book for you).

 

Sample Keyword Searches using SU Subject

Line 1: Algeria in SU Subject Terms

Line 2: authoritarian* OR politic* OR govern* OR conditions in SU Subject Terms

Finding and Requesting Books from More Libraries

Sample search in Worldcat for books about the history, politics, or government of a country or regime. Note that both sets of terms are to appear in the Subject terms assigned to the book.

screenshot of Worldcat search: Line 1: Afghan* OR Taliban in Subject; Line 2: politi* OR histor* or govern* in Subject

 

It is advisable to limit search results to books, with content: Not fiction, as well as by year, and perhaps also with additional keywords on a third line (for example: power* OR regime OR state in TITLE).

When you find a book you want to borrow, if it is not marked as being owned by the University of Missouri - Columbia, look for the "Request through ILL@MU" link, which will take you to a pre-filled interlibrary loan request form. Fill out the form, and wait for an email that will inform you when the book is ready for you to pick up at the Circulation Desk.