Searching the Library Catalog

Tips for Using:

BUSM Portal

For many questions current textbooks may provide the most appropriate information. Using the Library Catalog is the most effective way to locate these pertinent texts.

Search Tips

In the Library Catalog, you can search for materials by author, title, keyword, journal title, or MeSH (Medical Subject Headings).
MeSH is the recommended starting point for your search and will retrieve mainly materials from the Medical Library.
If you are unsure of which MeSH term to use, try looking for a book by keyword. Then look at the "subject headings" section in the book's bibliographic record for a listing of potential MeSH terms.
Unlike journal literature, book literature is indexed very generally. Instead of doing a subject search for a very specific topic, try searching more broadly.

For example, if you're looking for a book on the Ilizarov Technique, a bone fixation technique, it is unlikely that you will find a book by typing "Ilizarov Technique" into the catalog. Instead try searching "orthopedics" as a MeSh term to find orthopedic texts that will discuss this more specific topic.

Narrowing or limiting your search

Use the "Advanced Search" option to:

Limit to a specific language
Select materials only held at the Medical Library
Retrieve books published within a date range
Limit to a type of material

For additional help using the Library Catalog please visit the Library Catalog FAQ page.