Get Started with Library Research

Encompass Search finds information by searching through a massive collection of books and scholarly journals, as well as newspapers and magazines, dissertations, conference proceedings, music, video, maps, and more.

To limit your results to just books, use the "Book" limit on the left sidebar of your search results page. You can also further limit just to "Print books" or "eBooks."  Many items in your results will be available in Trexler Library; note the call number and status of the item to check its location and availability.  

Ebooks available at Trexler Library will display a red "View ebook" link. Click on the link to be taken to the online resource.  If you are off-campus you will need to authenticate by logging in using your Muhlenberg credentials.  For specific information on finding and using ebooks see our Guide: Finding and Using Ebooks at Trexler Library.

Items not in Trexler Library will state "At other libraries worldwide."  To use Interlibrary Loan to request a copy from another library, click on the title you need and select "Request item through Interlibrary Loan" located under the Access options at the top right hand side of the display.

• If you are looking for a particular book and already know its citation information (i.e., title, author, etc.), search Encompass Search for the title or author.
  • TIP: enter the search phrase in quotes to search for the exact phrase in that order (not a 'keyword' search)

• If Trexler Library has the book, use the call number to locate the copy in the library. 

• If Trexler Library does not have the book or if the library's copy is checked out, request a copy of the book on Interlibrary Loan.

Need more help with this?  Ask a Librarian.

Need help with writing?  Contact the Writing Center.