Love Browsing Library Shelves? Do It Virtually at SU Libraries

Nov. 18, 2020, midnight

Screenshot of Browse This Shelf feature with five book covers over photo of a bookshelf

Updated on June 26, 2024

The opportunity for users to find materials serendipitously by browsing our physical shelves is still a favorite way for some users of the print collections to locate just the right material. While it may not replace all the pleasures of using the book stacks in our physical libraries, you can simulate the browsing experience virtually from the book’s online record in Libraries Search.

The “Virtual Browse” feature is located at the bottom of the item record and allows users to scroll along the virtual shelf by Library of Congress call number. Since this feature includes not only print books, but ebooks, journals, microfilm, maps, and other items that may be physically separate in different Libraries’ locations or only exist online, it improves upon in-person browsing by bringing together more materials on the same topic.

Hover your computer mouse over a book cover to see title, author, copyright year, and call number. Google Books’ Limited Preview is available for some titles, allowing access to parts of the book’s content, as well as a link to reviews and other information if they exist. Click on the book cover to see full information about that title.

After browsing, users with a valid SU ID can request any print books they locate for pickup at Bird Library or delivery via UPS to residences in the U.S.

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