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Communication

Primo: The UCF Libraries Catalog

Primo Search is the default tab on the Libraries' homepage that allows researchers to locate books, multimedia (e.g., DVDs, CDs, streaming videos), journal titles, and other materials owned by the UCF Libraries.

 

Simple Search:
  • To locate UCF materials only, change on the drop-down menu labeled "Available Now: Online and On Shelf," to "Library Catalog."
  • "Everything in Primo" searches the statewide catalog for all Florida publicly-supported university and college libraries (e.g., University of Florida, Florida International University).
  • Primo is not recommended as a tool for locating journal articles, as it encompasses roughly only  50% of the UCF Libraries' journal databases; instead, use a subject-specific database to identify journal articles on a topic.
  • Use keywords or any words to search for topics. Try using two or three of the most significant words from the topic for which you are searching. A keyword search will find all occurrences of a word in a library catalog or a database. What follows are some examples of keyword searches:
    • music wom#n [finds: music AND woman or women, occurrences of all words]
    • child* [finds: child, child's, children, children's]
    • music theory [finds: both words, with "and" implied between words]
    • "music theory" [finds: phrase – must enclose with quotations]
    • city OR cities [finds: either word – must type OR in uppercase]
    • city NOT cities [finds: city only – must type NOT in uppercase]
Primo Search Box Library Catalog

 

Advanced Search:

ARC: Automated Retrieval Center

Over 80% of the UCF Libraries materials (e.g., books, DVDs, Blu-rays) have been transferred into the Automatic Retrieval Center, or ARC for short. The ARC is located behind the Hitt Library and it is not accessible to patrons. All materials in this guide that have been designated "Main Library ARC General Collection" are in the ARC. Therefore, materials located in the ARC need to be requested. Here's an overview of how that process works.

Note in the examples that every title says "Available at UCF ARC Main..." To initiate a request, click on the title look for the "Sign in to see request options" on the record page. For example: 

Note that the item is in place and available to be requested by clicking the sign in option where you'll enter your NID and your NID password. Once you do that, you'll be directed to a page to complete your request:

The final step is to select a pickup location from the menu:

Then submit the request. Requests placed during hours of operation are generally filled in 15-20 minutes. You'll receive an email notification once your book is ready and it will be held at the location you selected for one week.

For more information about the ARC, see this guide, which includes a video of the ARC in action.

Other Catalogs of Interest

https://books.google.com
Searchable by keyword for the full text of some books, magazines, and newspapers.
 
The merged catalogs of libraries around the world, making it the world’s largest and richest database of bibliographic information. You can request items not owned by UCF via inter-library loan.

Communication Call Numbers

Most materials in the UCF Libraries are arranged according to the Library of Congress Classification System. Communication materials, which encompass a wide variety of topics (such as advertising, information theory, interpersonal communication, journalism, and mass media) are found in an equally wide variety of call number areas. For instance, items on interpersonal communication are located in the BF 637 range; items on nonverbal communication are in the P 99.5-99.6 ranges; items on public relations can be found in the HD 59-59.6 and HM 1221 ranges.