BSU 1-800-322-1248 fax 765-285-3783 sisbsu@bsu.edu

PU 1-800-347-2948 fax 765-494-4175 sis@purdue.edu

1. Getting Started With Your Search: Click the ONLINE CATALOG link to your right to enter. Select either
   Ball State Univeristy-SIS or Purdue University-SIS based upon proximity.
   
   
2. How to Search? There are several ways to conduct your search within Shared Information Service's new catalog system. Know that you may search materials at both locations regardless of the location chosen. Once within the catalog, select "LOOK IN - ALL STATE LOCATIONS."
   
   * Conduct a GENERAL SEARCH for materials through Keywords, Authors, Titles, Subjects, and Series. If you are unsure of a complete title, simply add an asterisk (*) to the end of initial words and the catalog will perform all search for anything beginning with those words.
   * POWER SEARCH. A Power Search is the most effective way to search with keywords and to create a bibliography of several books addressing similar subjects.
   * VISUAL SEARCH or CATEGORY SEARCH by browsing pre-arranged collections. If you have a specific book in mind, you may also search by ISBN or LCCN number.
   
   
3. After You Have Entered Your Search Criteria: You will see a list of books that match your search criteria. To the right of these listings, there is information regarding copy availability. CLICK ON A CHOSEN TITLE to further review its complete information, such as title, author, description, call number and notes. The records for the materials will present information regarding available copies of materials. You may add books that you wish to request to "MY LIST." You can add as many books as you'd like to your list.
   
   
4. HELP: If you need help using the online catalog while you are searching, click the small, gray question mark at the end of the words "How Do I Find . . . ?" on the upper right corner of the screen.

1. Who to contact: Some materials are not available at both sites. Please note, however, that regardless of your location within the state, materials from either location can be delivered to you through a request sent to either of the SIS locations.
2. E-mail or Call: Once you have found the material in which you are interested, you can put it in your "MY LIST" by clicking on the "Add to MY LIST" icon. When you are finished searching, you can print off your list and/or copy/paste it into an email or document. Call or e-mail either location. If you have never requested materials from SIS before, be ready to supply appropriate information (home & work address & phone, etc.).
3. Click “Locations” for library contact info.
   
   *PLEASE NOTE: You may place holds as requests for materials ONLINE directly! Call your local SIS center for information regarding how you might attain a USERNAME and PASSWORD that will give you special SEARCH and HOLD capabilities and privileges.