Skip to Main Content

Mat-Su College: Human Services

A guide for Mat-Su College students taking Human Services courses.

What is the library catalog?

You can find print books using the library catalog. The library catalog is an online list of all the books, movies, CDs, video games, and other physical items our library owns. It can also show what other local libraries have.

Using the library catalog to find physical items

Start by going to the Mat-Su College Library webpage. Do this by clicking the "Library" link at the top of any Mat-Su College page:

Screenshot of Mat-Su College webpage with Library link on top highlighted

Next, enter your search terms in the "Just Mat-Su" search box:

Screenshot of library page with the Just Us option selected and the term Political Anthropology entered in the search box

Press enter. In the search results page you will see matching items at the Mat-Su College library:

Catalog search results showing two books held at the Mat-Su College library

To find an item in the library, use its call number (listed underneath the Call # heading). If you're not sure how to use a call number, just ask a librarian for help.

Finding items at other libraries

In the library catalog, you can switch from searching only the Mat-Su College library to searching most Alaska libraries. Do this by using the drop-down menu next to the search bar. Select "All Collections":

Screenshot of library catalog with search location drop-down menu open

Now try your search again using your original (or new) search terms. You now see items from other libraries. Click "Place Hold" next to an item to have these sent to Mat-Su College for free.

Screenshot showing Hold button in catalog interface

You will be asked for your University username and password. After logging in, choose which library to have the item delivered to. Make sure to choose Mat-Su College or whatever library you prefer:

Screenshot showing "Pickup library" menu in place hold dialog

Once the item gets here, we'll call to let you know you can pick it up.

Getting the book you want when it's not in the library catalog

What should you do when the item you want isn't in the library catalog? Don't fret -- you can still get it!

Just click the "Interlibrary Loan" link on the library website, as seen in the screenshot below.

MSC library page with Interlibrary Loan hilighted

Then fill out the Interlibrary Loan form with your name, library card number, and information about the item you want. The item will be obtained from whatever library has it. This is a free and relatively fast service.