If you want to see what print books are available from within the CWU Libraries' system, go to OneSearch, type in your search term(s) and hit enter. For more information on how to search in OneSearch, go to the "What is Onesearch?" tab in this research guide.
Next, go to the Tweak my results section located on the left-hand side of the results page. Under Availability, select Available at CWU and under Resource Type, select Print Books. If you require books that were published within a certain date, go to Publication Date and enter a date range. Once you have finished tweaking your results, select Apply Filters.
Your results list will now show print books that are located in the James E. Brooks Library, the CWU-Lynnwood Library, and the CWU-Des Moines Library.
Once you have found a book that interests you and is available to loan, you can request to have the book available for pickup by selecting the Request Item button. Once your item is available the libraries will contact your CWU email for your preferred pickup/delivery method. Home delivery and local pickup options are available. Most books are available for 6 month loans to all CWU students, staff, and faculty.
If the book or item you want is checkout from CWU Libraries, or if it's not available from CWU Libraries, you can request it though the Orbis Cascade Alliance system. The Orbis Cascade Alliance is a resource sharing service that allows you, as a member of CWU, to borrow print materials and media quickly and easily from 37 academic libraries located throughout the Pacific Northwest. Requests submitted through the Alliance are referred to as Summit requests. An eligible Summit item will have "Check for available services" listed as its item location.
After you have selected the book you want to attain, select Get It under the Additional Options section. A Summit request will be placed and you will receive your book within 3-5 days.
Books, media, and articles not available at CWU Libraries or through Summit may be requested through interlibrary loan. You can request these materials by filling out the interlibrary loan request form.
CWU Libraries use the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system to organize their physical collection (books, DVD's, CD's, etc.) by assigning them call numbers. A call number can be considered an item's "home address" since you can use it to physically locate an item on the shelf. Watch the video below to understand how the LCC system works as it will help you learn how to successfully find books and other materials at Brooks Library
What is OneSearch?
OneSearch is a single search interface that allows patrons to simultaneously search several article databases, catalogs, and other data sources for books, journal articles, videos, scores, maps, and more! This catalog is shared by members of the Orbis Cascade Alliance (Summit), a consortium of 37 academic libraries across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. OneSearch contains 8.8 million titles and over 26 million resources.
What can it do?
OneSearch offers our users major advantages, such as:
How to use OneSearch
Watch the videos below to learn how to conduct searches in OneSearch or learn all there is to know about how to conduct effective searches in CWU's OneSearch Research Guide. If you would like further research assistance, you are also welcomed to schedule an appointment or drop in to meet with a reference librarian. On the left side of this page you'll find the contact information for your Law & Justice liaison librarian, Bridgette, though you are welcome to work with any librarian you prefer.
Ask CWU Libraries