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Georgetown University in Qatar Georgetown Qatar

Library

First Year Student Guide

Using the Catalog

How to search the catalog

The catalog is where you can find information on all the books, DVDs and other physical materials we have in the GU-Q Library, in addition to those held at the main campus libraries. You will also find all the online resources you can access such as e-books.

You can search the catalog in GU-Q Library's homepage by clicking in the HoyaSearch tab and selecting "Everything" on the dropdown menu to the right. Simply type your search terms in the search box and click "Search".

Next, select the "Qatar Library" filter on the left and click "Apply Filters". Results will be listed according to relevance.

Click on "Available at" to check the location of the item in the library. Some books might not be available because someone else has already borrowed them. You can check the return date in the "Availability" section of the description:

How to Find a Book on the Shelf

What is a Call Number and how to read one: 

  • You will find a call number listed in the library's catalog, corresponding to a number on the spine of a library book or DVD, and indicating the book's location in the library. Think of it as the book's address.
  • The GU-Q Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) classification system, where the call number starts with a letter. High School libraries often use the Dewey Decimal Method which start with a number. The LC system is designed to group library materials of similar subject concentration together. 
  • To read the call number, simply note the first letter or letters of the call number. "LA" would be shelved before "LB", "LC" before "LD", etc.  Numbers follow the initial letter or letters. These numbers are read as whole numbers. A call number of "LA2" will be shelved before "LA4".

Here's an example of a call number on a book spine:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://library.nd.edu/howdoi/libcongress.shtml

Your Library Account

In your Library Account you can see all the items you have checked out and can renew your books without having to come to the Library!

  • Click on My Account in top right hand corner of the GU-Q Library website 
  • Enter your GU-Q NetID and password
  • On the upper right corner click on your name and select My Library Account

How to Use Call Numbers