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University of Texas University of Texas Libraries

U.S. History

This guide provides useful print and online resources to help people doing research in the History of the United States of America, defined broadly.

Books and Book Reviews

Finding Books on U.S. History and Culture

Do you have a call number, but don't know where to find it in the library? 

Browsing

Print books at UT Libraries are arranged by Library of Congress call numbers. Although history is covered in many other disciplines (e.g. women's history may also be located in women's studies call numbers while medical history may be in medicine call numbers), the major sections for U.S. History are listed below. 

After you identify the call number, use this chart to find the book's location in the PCL stacks. 

Table of U.S. History Call Numbers

E11-E143
America
E75-E99
Native Americans
E101-E135
Early European Expeditions and Encounters
E151-E889
United States
E186-E199
Colonial History
E201-E298
Revolution
E456-E665
Civil War
E740-E837
20th Century
E838-E889
Late 20th Century
E895-E904
21st Century

Search for a Book

From the UT Libraries' homepagetype the book title or keyword you are searching for in the search box. You'll find results across many different library resources.

homepage search box

When your results load, select "Library Catalog" from the dropdown arrow to narrow your results to include books and media

Understanding your Results 

After searching, you need to look for four details:

Catalog record with details numbered

1. Is this book in print or is it electronic (an ebook that you can access online)?

2. If the book you want is a physical book, log into your account and look for the pick it up button. 

Location of the Pick it up button, under "get it" after you log in to your account.

3. Is the book AVAILABLE? If not, there will be a due date. Click the Pick it Up Button to request it and select the library location where you'd like to pick it up. Keep in mind that if there is a due date, it will take several days for the current borrower to return it. Wait for an email telling you your books are ready before you come get them!

4. Are you ready to check out? Either get the book off the shelf yourself, or click the Pick it Up button and a library staff member will get the book and bring it to the library location you selected to pick it up. Wait for an email telling you your books are ready before you come get them! It will take 1-2 business days.

Checking out Books

All you need is your UT ID! If you forget your card, you can use your virtual ID. 

I really want this book, but it is checked out. Is there anything I can do?

Yes! If you would like to get a hold of a book that has been checked out, you can request the book. The library will then change the due date so that the current borrower has to return it earlier. To request a book, go to the library catalog, click the Pick it Up button, log in with your UT EID, and then request the book. You can learn more about this feature here.

 

Pick It Up?

Pick It Up is a free service that allows you to request a book to be retrieved from the shelf and delivered to the UT library of your choice. It can take an 1-2 days for your book to be retrieved, and you'll receive an email when it's ready for pick up at the library's front desk. You can learn more about it here.

 

Need a more advanced search?

If you need more options to search, you can click on the Books & Media option on the Libraries home page and choose Advanced Search.

 

LIB USE ONLY? 

LIB USE ONLY means library use only. When a book has this label under its current status, you can only access and read the book at its library location. 

 

I checked out a book, and I am not ready to return it. What can I do?

You can renew it! You can renew your book at any library location or online, through My Account.  To access your account, click on My Accounts, located on the upper right-hand corner of the screen on the library home page.

 

I can't find the book that I need. What can I do?

If the UT Libraries doesn't have a book you need, you can request it through InterLibrary Loan. The service is free and unlimited. Click on the link below to create an account and request a loan.

How to Read Call Numbers and Find That Book!

Getting Books Not Available at UT

Interlibrary Loan:

  • Interlibrary Loan (ILL) can be used to request physical items like print books, microfilm, AV material, and conference proceedings. Direct questions to: ilsreq@lib.utexas.edu.

Get a Scan

  • Scans of book chapters, journal and newspaper articles are available to UT-Austin users with a 3-5 day turnaround time.

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