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.
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)
Input below the call number of a book at Ellis Library to receive a map and written directions to the book's location.
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 it yourself
- Look for the reshelving area and check there. Reshelving areas are usually against walls and are marked RESHELVING.
- Go to the shelving room of the 4th floor of Ellis and ask for assistance: Map or Video Directions.
- Ask for help at the Reference Desk.
- Request the Library locate the book and hold if for you at Circulation. This might take several days. Follow the UMLD directions.
- See if book is available on another campus (MOBIUS) and request the book be sent to you.
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. |