Literature Research & Critical Theory

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: Dickens and literary criticism

                Dickens and Great Expectations and literary criticism

You can combine as many terms as you wish using "and" but the more terms you use the less results you will get.

Use "or" to expand or broaden your search. "Or" is generally used with synonyms.
Example: Great Expectations or A Tale of Two Cities
You can combine as many terms as you wish using "or" and the more terms you combine the greater your results will be.

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

Advanced Search allows you to search by Title, Author, Subject, ISBN.

To find books by an author, select Author from the pull-down menu and enter the author's last name first followed by the first name.
Example: Dickens, Charles

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.

This screen captures a simple search for "The Grapes of Wrath". The results appear on the right panel and the filters to modify or expand the search are on the left panel.

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.

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.

Ground floor: 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 & Information Desk on the first floor.