Library Catalogs
The Cornell University Library now has two catalogs for searching library materials:
Library Catalog - searches Libraries Worldwide, Cornell University Library, or Borrow Direct
Classic Catalog - Our older catalog interface; searches only Cornell's holdings.
Finding Books - Searching help for both catalogs
Search Tips: Which catalog will do the best search for my needs?
Use the Library Catalogs to:
- Find records for books, journals, maps, government documents, DVDs, databases, networked resources (e-journals, e-books, digital collections), sound recordings, etc.
- Link to full text digital materials from their catalog records.
Finding the books on the shelves - Using Library of Congress call numbers to find materials at their physical locations in our 20 libraries.
Research Strategies
If you are having trouble locating resources in the Library Catalog, try switching back to our Classic Catalog, or Ask a Librarian for assistance.
Library Catalog: Use the pull down menu at the top of the search results screen to select Libraries Worldwide, Cornell, or Borrow Direct.
Borrow Direct is a specialized interlibrary loan service for BOOKS. If a book is not available at Cornell, see if it can be borrowed through Borrow Direct, and if not there, regular Interlibrary Loan.
Borrow Direct books are delivered to Ithaca within four business days.
Journal articles not available at Cornell can be requested through regular Interlibrary Loan. (Requested articles are then e-mailed to you.)
See Introduction to Research: Searching for Books for more information about searching in both the Library Catalog and the Classic Catalog.