Autobiography/Biography/Memoirs

Use SouthernSearch to locate information in our library. SouthernSearch provides simple, one-stop searching for books and e-books, videos, articles, digital media, and more.

Enter your search terms in the search box provided and click on Search. The default is to search "Everything at SCSU." You can click on the down arrow next to "Everything at SCSU" for other choices such as SCSU Catalog and Collections, Articles and e-books, Course Reserves, and CT State Colleges and Universities.

When searching by keyword use "and" to combine your search terms for more precise results.

 Example: Martin Luther King and biography

You can combine search terms to make your search more effective.

              Example: Oprah Winfrey and (biography or autobiography or memoir)

Using "or" between search terms helps to expand your search. "Or" is generally used with synonyms.

To locate an autobiography select Author search in the library catalog and type the person’s last name followed by the first name to see if we have anything the person has written.

               Example: Angelou, Maya

Use Advanced Search for more search options to limit or focus your search.

Searches will retrieve articles and other materials as well as books. To limit your search to books, use the options on the left after you receive the initial results.

For the most part, basic searches will retrieve the results you need. Use Advanced Search for more search options to limit or focus your search. Advanced Search presents limiters and expanders to help refine your search. The advanced search option, for instance, allows you to combine multiple search terms with "and" or "or" for more effective searches.
Example: Facebook and (privacy or security or identity theft)

The advanced search option allows you to limit your search by date, by format, and by language.

Call numbers indicate where in the library books are shelved:

• A-PL: 2nd floor.
• PM-Z: 3d floor.
• REF: Reference section on the 1st floor of Buley Library. 
• Media Collection: 1st floor, just past the big staircase.
• JUV and CURR: ground floor.
• Oversize books and the thesis collection: 3d floor.

Here's a floorplan indicating where materials are shelved on each floor of the library.

Circulating books are checked out at the Check-out desk on the main floor with a valid SCSU ID. Books can be checked out for 28 days with the option to have them renewed if no one else has requested them. Reference books cannot be checked out.

Several IT printers on the first floor allow you to scan books or documents. There is a printer located by the IT Help Desk and another printer near the reference stacks. Scanning to your email is free. Copying and printing is 5 cents for a single side black and white page and 8 cents for a double-side page. Color printing is 25 cents for a single page and 40 cents for a double-side page. Assistance with scanning using the IT printers is provided by the IT Help Desk on the first floor.

A book scanner is available on the ground floor of the library. Users can scan to a flash drive for free. You cannot print from the book scanner. Assistance with scanning using the book scanner is provided by the Research Desk on the first floor.

Hoot Loot card holders can add to their account from the Card Value Center in Buley Library which is located opposite the Check-out counter on the main floor.

From another CSCU library:

• If another library in the CSCU System has a book that is not in Buley, you can request it through SouthernSearch.
• Select  CT State Colleges and Universities from the pulldown menu that says Everything at SCSU.
• Enter your search terms and execute your search.
• Once the results list appears, you need to sign in to your library account to see which library has the book. You will see the name of the library that has the book and "available" if the book is available to be loaned.
• Click on "available" and you will see more information about the book and option to "request" the book.
• Click on "Request" and then select Southern Connecticut State University from the Pick-up institution list. (The Pick-up list defaults to the institution that has the book so you will need to click on the down arrow and select Southern Connecticut State University from that list).

From anywhere else:

If a book is not available from any library in the CSCU System, you can use Interlibrary Loan to request it. The book will be sent to Buley. Ask for the book at the Check Out desk when you receive an email telling you it has arrived. Please call 203 392-7038 for assistance.