Finding Books
Here are some places to look for books on your research topic:
Also: learn how you can use an Interlibrary Loan to get a book or article you need that's not owned by your local library.
If you find a book which is really useful, have a look at its bibliography. The bibliography can provide a wealth of leads to further sources of useful, relevant information on your topic.
WorldCat
What is WorldCat?
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WorldCat represents a “collective collection” of the world’s libraries. WorldCat.org lets you search the collections of libraries in your community and thousands more around the world.
What's in WorldCat?
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When you search in WorldCat you'll find all of the physical items you're used to getting from libraries - books, music CDs and videos—and new kinds of digital content, such as downloadable audiobooks. You may also find article citations with links to their full text; authoritative research materials, such as documents and photos of local or historic significance; and digital versions of rare items that aren't available to the public. WorldCat libraries serve diverse communities in dozens of countries, so resources are available in many languages.
How Can WorldCat Help Me?
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You can search many libraries at once for an item and then locate it in a library nearby. A WorldCat record always lists which libraries hold any particular item, showing the libraries that are closest to you first.
What If the 'Closest Library' Holding an Item Isn't My Public Library?
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If you need a book or other item for your research that's held by a library other than your own public library, you can request an Interlibrary Loan.
Interlibrary Loans
What is an Interlibrary Loan?
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An Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a service where a patron (user) of one library can borrow books or receive photocopies of documents that are owned by another library.
How do Interlibrary Loans work?
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The patron makes a request with their local library. This local library identifies the institution that owns the desired item (probably using WorldCat!), places the request, receive the item, makes it available for the patron to pick up at their closest branch, and arranges for the return.
How long can I keep an Interlibrary Loan?
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The lending library determines the loan and renewal period for the item. If you need an ILL item longer, you should contact your local library at least three business days before the due date and ask them to request an extension from the lending library.
Can anything be borrowed with an Interlibrary Loan?
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Some libraries have items in reserve or reference collections that cannot be borrowed. If the item you want is owned by a library that you could visit on your own (for example, at the University of Washington) you should plan for a research visit to look at the resources you need, take notes, and make photocopies.
How long does it take to get my Interlibrary Loan item?
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Plan ahead! If the lending institution agrees to loan the item you want to your local library, it could take three weeks or more before the item actually arrives at your local branch, ready for you to pick up.
How much does an Interlibrary Loan cost?
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Good news! An ILL is a free service provided to library patrons. The only cost will be if the lending library charges your local library a processing fee for microfilm or copy requests.
See below for links to Interlibrary Loan request forms for regional libraries.
KRL Interlibrary Loan Request - Book/Audio/DVD/eBook
Online form for requesting an Interlibrary Loan for an item not held by Kitsap Regional Library. You'll need to have a KRL library card number to fill out the form. You can also indicate a "needed by" date so that the librarians can know how soon you need the item.
KRL Interlibrary Loan Request - Magazine or News Article
Online form for requesting an Interlibrary Loan for a magazine or news article not held by Kitsap Regional Library. You'll need to have a KRL library card number to fill out the form. You can also indicate a "needed by" date so that the librarians can know how soon you need the article
PTL Request for Library Materials - Book, Audiobook, DVD (Interlibrary Loan)
Online form for requesting an Interlibrary Loan for an item not held by Port Townsend Library. You'll need to have a PTL library card number to fill out the form. You can also indicate a "needed by" date in the Comments section so that the librarians can know how soon you need the item.
PTL Magazine Article Request Form (Interlibrary Loan)
Online form for requesting an Interlibrary Loan for a magazine or news article not held by Port Townsend Library. You'll need to have a PTL library card number to fill out the form. You can also indicate a "needed by" date in the Comments section so that the librarians can know how soon you need the article
Google Books
Google Books is a database of published books that have been scanned by Google and made available in Google search results or from the Google Books site.
You can browse books online, and...if the book is out of copyright, or the publisher has given Google permission, you'll be able to see a preview of the book, and in some cases the entire text. If it's in the public domain, you're free to download a PDF copy.
Google Books come from two sources: the Library Project (scanned books from Harvard University Library, New York Public Library and other prominent libraries) and the Partner Program. In the Partner Program, authors and publishers are able to use the Google Books site to gain wider audiences and recognition for their works.
NOTE: This cooperation in the Partner Program results in Google Books having some nonfiction titles from self-published authors that are less than credible sources for serious research. Before using a book from Google Books in your research, check to see if it's held at any public or university libraries and if it has been reviewed in any of the major publishing or library journals. If in doubt, check to see if the book is listed in WorldCat!
Search the WSA Library Catalog
Find books, digital resources (ebooks), WebPath Express websites, and Open Educational Resources (OER).
Search the WSA Library Catalog
Reference eBook Databases
Why search here?
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Gale eBooks (formally Gale Virtual Reference Library) is a searchable online general reference collection. You can search across all the reference books or select a subject area.
What's included?
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Gale eBooks includes titles in the arts, biography, business, education, the environment, history, information and publishing, law, literature, medicine, multicultural studies, religion, science and the social sciences.
How do I cite it?
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Look for the Export button on the right. Choose Direct Export to NoodleTools, and import the citation directly to your open NoodleTools project. If you choose to copy and paste it instead, be sure to grab the "Permalink" as well, and put that in the URL box underneath the quick cite box in NoodleTools.
Why search here?
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World Book Advanced is a multimedia resource for students in middle school through high school.
What's included?
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It has reference articles, eBooks, primary source databases, a dictionary and atlas, interactive maps, and access to current news publications.
How do I cite it?
Click the Tools and Settings icon at the top right, then Citations to get an MLA citation to copy and paste into the quick cite box in NoodleTools. If your project is in Chicago, in NoodleTools, choose Database. Determine what you are looking at, then do your best when filling out the form.
Regional Libraries
Kitsap Regional Library (KRL) has nine community libraries in Kitsap County. KRL has more than half a million physical items in its collection, bolstered by online access to downloadable e- books, audiobooks and music, and free access to dozens of online research tools.
The Port Townsend Public Library has print and digital books, magazines, and audio books, along with as subscription databases for research.
Kitsap Regional Library (KRL) cardholders can get a free Seattle Public Library (SPL) card. Bring your KRL card, valid identification and proof of home address to any SPL location.
University of Washington Libraries
Links to resources held at the 18 libraries at the University of Washington, including articles, encyclopedias and dictionaries, research guides, collections and archives.
Search the WSL's digital collections (historic newspapers, historic maps and photos, full-text eBooks on Washington history), state and federal government publications, Washington state newspapers, and more.
Digital Libraries
Cambridge University Library has built a vast collection over the past six centuries, with an extraordinary accumulation of books, maps, manuscripts and journals. The Foundations of Faith strand of content includes important works from many religious traditions, particularly Judaism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism. The Foundations of Science content begins with the papers of Isaac Newton, includes the papers and drafts that led to Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species, and also the Papers of the Board of Longitude.
Digital Public Library of America
DPLA brings together the riches of America’s libraries, archives, and museums, and makes them freely available to the world. The portal provides innovative ways to search and scan through the united collection of millions of items, including by timeline, map, virtual bookshelf, format, subject, and partner. "Discover 29,316,627 images, texts, videos, and sounds from across the United States."
Library of Congress Digital Collections
Access to print, pictorial and audio-visual collections and other digital services of the Library of Congress, including American history and culture (from American Memory), historic newspapers (from Chronicling America), historic sound recordings (from National Jukebox), collections, articles and special presentations on music, theater and dance materials (from the Performing Arts Encyclopedia), prints and photographs (with over 1 million digital images), Veterans History Project, U.S. Legislative information, and collections of archived web sites.
National Science Digital Library (NSDL)
Provides high quality online resources in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Search by grade level, subject (STEM) and resource format. Users need to register with the site to download and save resources.
University of Washington Digital Collections
A-Z listing of the UW Digital Collections, covering a wide range of topics and media, including historical photographs, architectural drawings, historical books, musical scores, a moving images collection, and materials related to important historical events in the Northwest, including the activities of the Industrial Workers of the World, the lumber and fishing industries, and the building of Grand Coulee Dam.
Washington State Library Digital Collections
Digital collections include: full-text eBooks on Washington State history; historical newspapers, maps, and photos; Washington State Governor's database; and Washington Rural Heritage.
