The library's main search tool for books, articles, and more. Use this tool to find both print and e-books available at UMSL.
Option 1: Basic Keyword Search
- Type in your search terms.
- Click Search.
- Under "Limit By Source Type" (on the left side of the screen), select Books or eBooks (you can select both). Some digital resources may show up in the Books category.
Option 2: Advanced Search
- Select Advanced Search.
- Type your terms into the search bars - e.g., the title of the book or author's name
- Select your search field in the drop-down menu to the right of the search bar (e.g., Title or Author)
- Adjust any relevant limiters below the search bars (e.g., Publication Date)
- Click Search.
- Under "Limit By Source Type" (on the left side of the screen), select Books or eBooks (you can select both). Some digital resources may show up in the Books category.
Finding a Book Using the Online Record
E-Books
Look for access links with text such as PDF Full Text, EPub Full Text, etc.
Print Books
Records for print books you find through Discover@UMSL tell you where to find the book on the shelf. Books are organized using the Library of Congress classification system. For example:
- Location tells us the book is on Level 4.
- Call # helps us find the book on the shelf. Books are first organized alphabetically, so look for the section with books labelled ML (between MK and MM). Then, use the following numbers and letters to search numerically and alphabetically for the right book. The book may or may not have a publication year at the end.
- Status tells us the book is available, i.e., not currently checked out.
Other books nearby on the shelf will also be about the same or similar topics! Use this information to browse for books you may not have found in the online catalog.
Can't find it on the shelf? Check with the front desk!
Browsing the Stacks
Explore the following sections (on Level 4 of TJ Library) for books about music:
M: Music
- ML: Literature on music
- ML159 - 3785: History and criticism
- ML159 - 161: General works
- ML162 - 197: By period
- ML198 - 360.6: By region or country
- ML385 - 429: Biography
- ML430 - 458: Composition and performance
- ML459 - 1380: Instruments and instrumental music
- ML1400 - 3275: Vocal music
- ML3300 - 3351: Program music
- ML3400 - 3465: Dance music
- ML3469 - 3541: Popular music
- ML3544 - 3776: Folk, national, and ethnic music
- ML3780: Music on particular topics
- ML3785: Musical journalism
- ML3797 - 3799.5: Musical research
- ML3800 - 3923: Philosophical and societal aspects of music. Physics and acoustics of music. Physiological aspects of music
- MT: Instruction and study
- MT5.5 - 7: Music theory
- MT18: Music in college and universities
- MT40 - 67: Composition. Elements and techniques of music
- MT70 - 74: Instrumentation and orchestration
- MT85: Conducting. Score reading and playing
- MT155: Music theory for children
- MT170 - 810: Instrumental techniques
- MT820 - 915: Singing and vocal technique
- MT918 - 948: School music
- MT955 - 956: Musical theater
