Northeastern State University Libraries

The NSU John Vaughan Library owns many paper and electronic books and periodicals on a variety of interior design topics. The most efficient approach for discovering what the library has in terms of paper and electronic books is to consult the online catalog. There are a number of approaches that can be taken when searching for books on interior design topics in the catalog. For example, when searching "Interior design" as a subject the catalog will return a "see" reference to use "Interior decoration." When selecting "Interior decoration" the catalog will then return citations to books on interior design in general, and on many subtopics such as interior design in France, interior design manuals, etc. As another example, if you are searching for books on a specific designer, enter the name of the designer in the catalog's search box. Let's take Frank Lloyd Wright as an example of a designer. To find books in the NSU Library collection about Frank Lloyd Wright, including his life and work, enter his name as a subject in the catalog. When looking for individuals as subjects, it is best to type the last name first. So, Frank Llloyd Wright would be entered as wright frank lloyd.

The NSU Library web site also provides access to a variety of online databases which can be useful for finding periodical literature. This includes ABI/Inform, AH Search (Arts and Humanities Citation Index), America: History & Life, Humanities Full Text, and Social Sciences Full Text. America: History & Life can be particularly useful for finding U.S. history journal articles on interior design topics. If a search of these or other Library databases does not find the needed articles, the Library resource coordinator assigned to Business and Technology can assist in helping to find publications by conducting searches on some of the hundreds of U.S. and international databases which are available to NSU librarians. For example, if the topic has to do with an English furniture designer from the 1700's, the resource coordinator can search a British history journal index, as well as other British periodical databases. The resource coordinator can also help identify books beyond what can be found through the online catalog.

When in the Library you may wish to browse the shelves for books and periodicals dealing with interior design topics. Many of the publications focusing on interior design topics, such as furniture, carpets, home decoration, etc., will be found cataloged in the NK call number area. Material pertaining to architecture is generally found in the NA call number area. Some examples of home lighting and electrical equipment may be found in the TH and TK call number areas. Other call number areas may provide additional material, depending upon your specific topic. To identify other call number areas try conducting a subject or key word search in the online catalog, and then look for consistent call number areas.

When looking for books that are not owned by the NSU Library, you may wish to search WorldCat, which is also known as the World Catalog database. WorldCat is a catalog that indexes millions of books held by libraries throughout the United States and from around the world. WorldCat is linked from the Library databases page.

For research assistance you may contact either the Library reference desk or the Business and Technology resource coordinator. The reference desk is located on the first floor of the Library, and the resource coordinator's e-mail address is found at the bottom of this page. The resource coordinator can be particularly helpful in identifying books and articles not cataloged or indexed in library databases.

Finally, the Interlibrary Loan Department can submit requests to other libraries within the U.S. and around the world on your behalf, to borrow books and obtain photocopies of articles not owned by the NSU Library. To learn about interlibrary loan policies and procedures, and for information on how to utilize this service, please contact either the resource coordinator, stop by the Library reference desk, or call the reference desk at extension 3241. One key to using interlibrary loan successfully is to start your research early so that interlibrary loan requests will arrive in time for your use. On average, it takes about ten business days to obtain material through interlibrary loan. If an item is owned by only one or two libraries in far away places, it may take longer. When thinking about many interior design topics, the use of interlibrary loan may prove crucial in obtaining the material that you need.

• Contact the Subject Librarian for Business - cheatham@nsuok.edu
  
• Gary Cheatham's Home Page
  
• College of Business & Technology Web site