Are all of the Law Library’s treatises located on the main floor? What does the location signify in The CAT? Where exactly are those locations in the library? You found the book you would like to use, but what is “1st Floor – Reference”? Some of these questions sound very simple, but because they are shelved in different areas there may be some confusion when you are searching for books in our library.
When using The CAT, in the quick search box select browse, type in the title or author, and use the default “In libraries — all”. When you find the book, note the call number located on the record and its location.
If we don’t have it here in Carlisle, you can “I Want It” from another Penn State library.
Treatises are marked by a spine label with a call number. These numbers are assigned according to the subject of the book; make note of the location and the call number (on the spine label) of the book. That will determine which floor of the library your book is shelved. A majority of the treatise print collection is located on the lower level of the library (all of the call numbers, except KFP). You can access this level by the library elevator or the stairs just beyond the back of the circulation desk. Once on the lower level, use the stack end guides with your call number to locate the section the book is shelved. The movable shelves move by pressing the flashing reset button, then the directional grey arrow depending on the aisle where the book is shelved.
Treatises may be shelved in Reference, so make note from your CAT search of the book’s location (“1st Floor – Reference”) and call number. Reference books are also marked with a bright orange 2 hour loan label on the book spine.
The Law Library shelves all of our Pennsylvania-related books in one area on the 2nd floor. This library map shows the area designated as the Pennsylvania Collection. The collection, LC-classed call numbers starting with KFP, appears in The CAT as 2nd fl.- Penna collection. Unclassified materials (statutes, Pennsylvania bulletin, etc.) are shelved at the beginning of this section. These books do not have a spine label call number on them.
After you have retrieved the book, please go to the circulation desk to check it out. Treatises from the stacks and Pennsylvania collection are loaned for the semester. Reference books are loaned for 2 hours.
For more information, please check out this University Libraries’ guide, Starting Library Research.