Find a Book
How to Find a Book
- Search the Catalog for Books
- On the result page, filter the results by Format books in the Library Location you want, e.g.: MU Ellis Library
- Location: Which library the book is located
- Call number: Where the book is exactly on the shelves
- Status: Whether the book is available, checked out, or missing.
- Consult the book location guide.
- Input below the call number of a book at Ellis Library to receive a map and written directions to the book's location.
Locate Your Book
After you search and find a book in the catalog, you need three pieces of information to locate your material.
LOCATION | CALL NUMBER | STATUS |
Find an Ellis Library Call Number
(WARNING: this will NOT work for other libraries on campus)
Use one of two methods:
Video by MU Librarian Michael Muchow
Still Can’t Find a Book?
First:
- Make sure you are looking in the correct library. Check the library location.
- Check the call number.
- Make sure the book is not already checked out. Check the status.
Options:
-
Look for the book yourself
- Look for the reshelving area and check there. Reshelving areas are usually against walls and are marked RESHELVING.
- Go to the shelving room near the elevators on the 4th floor East and ask for assistance.
- Ask for help at the Checkout and Information Desk near the north entrance of Ellis Library on the 1st floor.
- Use the Retrieve from Shelf Service.
- See if book is available on another campus (MOBIUS) and request the book.
Find Call Numbers in Ellis Library
Call Number Ranges (click on range to view map) |
Location |
AC → AP![]() |
4 East |
AS → AZ![]() |
4 East |
B → DA![]() |
3 East |
DB → DF![]() |
3 East |
DG → DR![]() |
3 East |
DS → HE![]() |
3 East |
HF → L![]() |
2 East |
L → LT![]() |
2 East |
M → M 991![]() |
4 East |
M 1000 → N![]() |
4 East |
N → NX![]() |
4 East |
P → PG![]() |
2A West |
PH → PQ 2999![]() |
3 Central |
PQ 3000 → Q![]() |
2 East |
Q → QD 380![]() |
2 East |
QD 381 → QK![]() |
2 East |
QL 100 → QR![]() |
2 Central |
R → RZ![]() |
2 Central |
S → SK![]() |
2 West |
T → UH![]() |
1A West |
V → VM![]() |
1 West |
Z → ZA![]() |
1 West |
Special Call Numbers
Call Number/Collection |
Location |
001 → 353.7![]() |
3 West |
353.8 (Government Documents) | 1 East |
353.9 → 999![]() |
3 West |
Special Locations
Collection |
Location |
MU Library Depository (UMLD) | MU Depository |
SPEC![]() |
4 North West |
Reference![]() |
1 East |
Reserve![]() |
1 North |
DVD Collection![]() |
1 Central |
Federal Goverment Documents![]() |
1 East |
Missouri State Documents![]() |
1 East |
Current Periodicals / Journals![]() |
1 Central |
Juvenile![]() |
3 West |
Maps, Locations, & Floor Plans
Library | More Information… |
MU Archives | University Archives |
MU Depository | Request delivery from off-site storage |
MU Engineering Library | Engineering Library & Technology Commons |
MU Geology | Geological Sciences Library |
MU Health Sciences Library | Health Sciences Library |
MU Journalism | Journalism Library |
MU Law Library | MU Law Library |
MU Math | Mathematical Sciences Library |
State Historical Society-Columbia | State Historical Society of Missouri |
MU Veterinary Medical Library | Veterinary Medical Library |
Status Code | Meaning |
AVAILABLE |
If the book is still on the shelf, it can be checked out for a shorter amount of time because of a pending request on it. |
BILLED | A patron has kept it past the due date. |
DUE |
Checked out until the listed date. If a book you want is currently checked out, you can learn how request the book from:
|
IN PROCESS |
Is being processed to be added to the library. It will soon be available to check out. |
IN TRANSIT |
Not available to check out. It is being transferred between libraries. |
LIB USE ONLY |
May only be used inside of the library. This code is usually reserved for Reference Books and books in Special Collections. |
MISSING |
Is lost. |
NEW BOOKS | On a new book shelf in Ellis or a branch library. |
NOT CHECKED OUT | In the library and available to be checked out. |
ON HOLD | Has been recalled by a patron. |
ON HOLD SHELF | Being held at the circulation desk for the patron who has requested it. |
PAGED + ONE HOLD |
The item has been requested (paged) and has not yet been pulled from the shelf. |
UNDER CONSIDERATION | In the approval room for the Library to evaluate. It will most likely be added to the library and soon be available to check out. |