Whether navigating the library system is completely new to you, or different from what you are used to, this page will provide you with information about using the University Library System and getting the books and legal material you need.
Interactive modules and tutorials on accessing the resources and services provided by the Barco Law Library and the University Library System (ULS) are provided at the bottom of this page or visit the Barco Law Library Tutorials page.
PittCat is the main searching tool for all of the materials owned by the University, including books, ebooks, journal articles, ejournals, government documents, microfilm, audio recordings, and even movies. Make sure to sign into PittCat located in the upper right hand corner of your screen to access the most results.
You can begin your search in a number of ways. Whether you're looking for a specific title or broad topic, start by typing it out in the search anything box. You can utilize the advanced search features if you'd like to specify certain fields like title, author, genre, or the ISSN. You can also indentify material type and language. After you start your search, if you want to narrow it down even more, and can indicate particular libraries, journal titles, and whether it's available online, peer reviewed, open access, or held in the library. There is also a Course Reserves option that will help you find materials put on reserve by instructors for a specific course.
When you have chosen a title, you can get a detailed overview of where the item is located, various citations, and most importantly, requesting it. If you aren't familiar with navigating the library (read the navigating the stacks to learn more), or if the book is not located at Barco, you can utilize our Get-It System.
The Get-It System allows you to get the books directly delivered to your preferred library. Your request will be processed and the material will then be available at the circulation desk upon delivery.
There may be times when you find PittCat does not have the resources you are looking for. Fortunately, Pitt is a part of a couple of services that allow students to request materials from other university libraries and repositories. Two of the services we offer are EZ borrow and Interlibrary loan (ILL). We encourage students to first check EZ borrow before requesting through ILL; EZ borrow tends to be a faster and more consistent service, but ILL offers more resources from a wider range of libraries.
This tutorial demonstrates how you may discover and access items within the University of Pittsburgh’s online catalog, commonly know as “PittCat".
By the conclusion of this tutorial, you will have attained the following learning objectives:
Effectively search PittCat using simple search techniques.
Interpret catalog item records to identify relevant resources.
Locate physical items within the Barco Law Library and University Library System.
Request physical items within the Barco Law Library and University Library System using Get It.
Access digital resources through PittCat's online databases and electronic journals.
In order to test your abilities, please access the tutorial in the external Panopto browser to take assessment at the end of the video or below.
This tutorial demonstrates how you may utilize the advance search feature on PittCat to better discover and access more specific resources relevant to your research or interests.
By the conclusion of this tutorial, you will have attained the following learning objectives:
Identify and use various search fields and operators available in the advanced search interface of PittCat.
Construct complex search queries using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine their search results.
Apply filters and limits, such as date range, material type, and language, to narrow down search results.
Assess the relevance of search results based on the criteria of their research needs, including authority, accuracy, and currency.
Modify search strategies based on initial search results to improve the relevance and specificity of their results in PittCat.
In order to test your abilities, please access the tutorial in the external Panopto browser to take assessment at the end of the video or below.
This tutorial demonstrates how you may access the EZBorrow system to request books and other materials not available through ULS.
By the conclusion of this tutorial, you will have attained the following learning objectives:
Understand how EZBorrow facilitates access to materials beyond the ULS collection.
Access and request materials through the EZborrow system through the University of Pittsburgh Barco Law Library website.
Request materials through EZborrow, including selecting the correct item and submitting the request.
Understand the loan policies associated with EZborrow.
Understand procedures for picking up and returning materials borrowed through EZBorrow.
In order to test your abilities, please access the tutorial in the external Panopto browser to take assessment at the end of the video or below.
This tutorial demonstrates how you may request Interlibrary loans to request books and other materials not available through ULS.
By the conclusion of this tutorial, you will have attained the following learning objectives:
Understand the purpose of ILL and its role in accessing materials beyond the ULS collection.
Access and utilize the ILL request form at the University of Pittsburgh Barco Law Library to request materials.
Proficiently use WorldCat to search and locate needed materials available through interlibrary loan repositories.
Accurately enter relevant information about requested materials, such as title, author, and year of publication, into the ILL request form
In order to test your abilities, please access the tutorial in the external Panopto browser to take assessment at the end of the video or below.
As you use PittCat more, you'll start to notice specific sites to that hold eBooks. Common resources for law students are listed below. For more information on general databases, visit the Databases page in this guide.
For more information on eBooks available through Pitt, check out the guide below!