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Find Books on Your Topic

Online Library Home > Help Doing Research > 6 Steps to Research

Books often provide information that is comprehensive whereas a journal article discusses a specific aspect of a topic. Use books to see how your topic fits into the "bigger picture."

  • Locate relevant e-books on your topic by searching in the E-Book Catalog.
  • To find out which libraries might have a print book you want or what books have been written on a topic, use the WorldCat database. There are step-by-step instructions on that page.
  • To identify libraries that are close to where you live or work, explore the links provided in Locating a Nearby Academic Library. From there, you may be able to connect directly to that library's online catalog.
  • If you live near a SUNY (State University of New York) or CUNY (City University of New York) library, you can go in person to the library that has the book and sign it out using an Empire State College photo ID with a valid expiration date and student number under the SUNY Open Access Policy.
  • Your local public library may be able to get a book from a distant library through interlibrary loan. Empire State College currently piloting an interlibrary loan service for faculty and graduate students only.
  • To purchase a book, check out one of the online bookstores under the Online Bookstores link.
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