Guide for Engineering Students

Engineering Books

The Library uses the Library of Congress Classification system. The general classifications used in engineering are:

Q General Science
QA Mathematics/Computer Science
T General Technology
TA Civil engineering/Engineering Management
TD Environmental Technology
TE Highway engineering
TF Railroad engineering
TG Bridge construction
TH Building construction
TJ Mechanical engineering/Machinery
TK Electrical engineering/Electronics/Nuclear engineering
TL Motor vehicles/Aeronautics/Astronautics
TS Manufacturing

Reference Books

Encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks , guides, etc. can be found in the Interim Library. These reference tools and others help define terminology and provide a context for the subject area. Background reading can help you choose a specific topic to pursue for your research. Reference materials are for library use only and cannot be checked out. Selected reference books are also searchable online using ENGnetBASE.

Circulating Books = Automated Retrieval System

Books that can be checked out are located in the automated retrieval system (ARS). For directions for making an ARS request click here: ARS Request

To find out what we own, use OSCAR, the Library's computer catalog. You can search for books, journals (but not by specific journal articles-search by journal title), microforms, etc. by title, author, subject, and keywords. You can also find course reserve materials on OSCAR by the professor's name and course number. Click "Connect to ERes," on the main OSCAR page.

Engineering Databases

The Library subscribes to hundreds of print and/or electronic engineering journals as well as the online full text collection of IEEE journals and conference proceedings.

Although they are all listed in OSCAR by the title of the journal or the name of the conference, usually you want to identify one particular paper or article. In order to do this, you must use one of our many engineering and technical databases which are available for in electronic format. The major databases are described below.

Applied Science Index
Covers more than 350 international, English-language periodicals in engineering, mathematics, physics and computer technology. Formats include articles, interviews, meetings, conferences, exhibitions, new product reviews/announcements, and more. Coverage goes back to October 1983. The database is updated monthly.
Engineering Village 2
Provides access to abstracts from EI Compendex, INSPEC, the full text of U.S. patents (1976 to date), an index to industry standards and specifications, and the full text of 110+ CRC engineering handbooks. Also includes links to more than 10,000 websites, selected, reviewed, and evaluated by experts.
IEEE Xplore
The IEEE/IET Electronic Library (IEL) is IEEE's complete full-text product on its Xplore platform. It is an online collection of IEEE and IET journals and conferences--plus the IEEE standards. These publications provide 30% of the world's electrical engineering and computer science literature in a single source. There is a full-text backfile for each title to 1988, with selected titles back to 1950.

FirstSearch is an online service which provides access to a range of different databases. You need to enter your name and ACCESS card number (no spaces).
The following databases will be of special interest to engineering students:

PapersFirst
Covers every published congress, symposium, conference, exposition, workshop and meeting received by The British Library Document Supply Centre. Citation records are provided.
Proceedings First
Citations and table of contents for every congress, symposium, conference, exposition, workshop, and meeting received at The British Library. 1993 present.

Does the Library Own the Journal?

Check if a journal is in electronic and/or print format by entering the title under "Journal Finder," which is under the Quicklinks Menu on the left column of the library home page. For more detailed instructions on database searching, and locating journal articles click on: Do we or don't we?

What if the Library Doesn't Own It?

Try LINK+ - a service which allows students, faculty and staff to borrow books from a group of other university, college and public libraries. The books will be available for pickup at the the Library Circulation Desk usually within 3 days. After any search in OSCAR, you may re-do the search in LINK+ by clicking on the LINK+ button at the top of the screen. After finding a needed book, follow the on-screen prompts to make an online request.

We can obtain photocopies of articles and borrow books not available through LINK+ for you through our Bronco Express service. Items such as journal articles can be delivered to your SCU e-mail inbox. Other materials such as books that must come through the mail may take 3-10 working days. If photocopies have to be faxed to us they often arrive in 48-72 hours.

Finding Course Materials

To find items that your professor said he or she placed on reserve in the library, or placed on the library's ERes system, or placed on Media Services' ANGEL system, follow the procedures on this link: Course Materials

Any Questions?

Contact Susan Boyd, Engineering/Math Subject Specialist, (skboyd@scu.edu, 408-554-4067).