COMM 230G: Introduction to Communication Theory: Finding Books

SpartaCat, the NCC Library Catalog, is an online tool that allows you to search for items owned by the Library. This includes books, e-books, encyclopedias, streaming videos, audiobooks, print periodicals, and more.

You have the option of performing many different searches within the library catalog:

Basic Searching in SpartaCat

Keyword: If you are looking for a general topic (like "global warming"), it is best to start here. It will search the title, summary, table of contents, and publication information of each of our books and items for the word or phrase you enter.

Author: If you are looking for books by a specific person, search using this. For example, if you want to find books by Edgar Allan Poe, enter his name like this: Poe, Edgar Allan.

Title: If you know the specific title of a work, choose this option.

Subject: Search the Subject Headings list. These are like #hashtags. They are the main word or phrase used to catalog the book and reflect what it is about, but they may not appear in the title, summary, table of contents, or publication information the way a keyword would.

While these are the most popular, basic types of searches, you could use one of the other options listed (ISBN, Genre, Series Title, Call Number, or Periodical Title) if it fits your needs.

Finding Books in the Library Collections

To find books on our shelves, you will need to know the call number and shelf location of the book. It is also helpful to know its status. You can find this information by clicking on an item in your results list to view its details, and then scrolling to the availability section. 

Common Shelf Locations           

Stacks: The main collection of borrowable books in the libraries. Note the campus location indicated here.         
Reference: An area for multi-volume encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handbooks. These books can only be used in the library, they cannot be checked out or borrowed. Note the campus location indicated here.
Reserves: Items set aside at the Circulation or Information Desk for specific courses. They may be in-library use only, have a shorter loan period, or have other restrictions. Note the campus and desk location indicated here.  
Media Tower: The item is a DVD, VHS, or CD (although children's and young adult materials are in this location too) in the Bethlehem campus library.   
Online: A digitial e-Book or streaming video viewed by clicking the provided access link.            
New Books: A special section of the libraries for recent additions to our collection. Note the campus and desk location indicated here.
Browsing: An area for popular fiction and nonfiction titles and bestsellers. Note the campus and desk location indicated here.
Periodicals: A section of the libraries with print magazines and journals. Note the campus and desk location indicated here.

Common Statuses for Library Items

On Shelf: the item is available or on the shelf. 
Due xx/xx/xxxx: the item is currently checked out and loaned to someone else. It is expected back to the library on the indicated date.

Finding eBooks 

To find eBooks with SpartaCat, after you have started your search, on the results page, use the Limit Search Results options. 

Look for the Item Type search result limiter. 

Select Electronic Books and click Include to add this limiter or filter to your search.

This removes any and all items that are not eBooks from your search results. 

Accessing our eBooks

In the results, eBooks will be tagged with the words Electronic Resource and their location will be Online. To view an eBook from the search results page, use the link labeled Click Here to Read Online. This Click Here to Read Online link also appears on the eBook's Item Details (or summary) page.

Clicking this link will open the eBook in a new screen. You may be prompted to login with your Northampton username and password before you can begin reading the book. 

See a Demonstration

Watch our SpartaCat video tutorial for a search demonstration. 

To borrow a library book or item from our collections, one option you have is to visit the library where the book or item is located in-person. Be sure to have the call number and shelf location for the item, which you will need to locate it in the library. This information can be found using SpartaCat (the library catalog), but library staff can also assist you.  

Once you have found your book or item, bring it to the library Circulation desk at Bethlehem or the Information desk at Pocono. Present your NCC ID, another photo ID, or library card so that library staff can access your library borrowing account to check the item out to you. You will receive a receipt with the book or item's due date on it. 

Another option you have is to use our Library to Go service, which is available for students, faculty, and staff.

Library to Go lets you request items from our physical collections for pickup, interoffice or UPS delivery, or digital access through the Library Reserves in Blackboard. 

Search SpartaCat or work with a librarian to find items. Once you know which items you need, submit your Library to Go request.