Library Guide to

MOBIUS Union Catalog
(Web Interface)

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Database Description

The MOBIUS Union Catalog includes the holdings found in a consortium of academic libraries in the state of Missouri designed to allow direct patron-initiated borrowing from member library collections.

For an online tutorial, please go to: http://www.nwmissouri.edu/library/catalog/mobius/WELCOME4.HTM

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How to Connect

Connect to http://library.umkc.edu/ and choose "MERLIN Catalog." Scroll down until you see the title "MOBIUS Union Catalog. Choose MOBIUS.

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Search Options

Keywords	Words next to each other are searched as a phrase. Use "and" to look for words without indicating order. Type significant words from the title, subject, series, conference or organization name and press Enter. Example: old and man and sea
Subjects (Library of Congress)	Type the subject heading and press Enter. Example: korean war
Medical Subjects (MeSH)	Type the medical subject heading and press Enter. This search is used primarily for items at the Health Sciences and Dental Libraries. Example: neoplasms
Exact Title	Type the exact title, or as much of the title as you know, and press Enter. Example: adventures of huckleberry finn
Author	Type the author's last name first, then the first name or initial, and press Enter. This search includes conferences and organizations. Example: sagan c or university of missouri kansas city
Author/Title	Type the author's last name first, then the first name or initial, and press Enter. Then type in a word from the title and press Enter again. Example: faulkner william then fury
Journal, Magazine, & Newspaper Titles	Type in the exact title of a periodical or newspaper and press Enter. Example: new york times or journal of adolescent research
Disconnect from the MOBIUS Union Catalog	Return to the MERLIN Library Catalog.

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How to Understand Your Results

To Read a List of Titles or Subjects

• The first 12 subject headings or titles will be listed on a screen that has four columns.
• The first column is the number of the entry (1-12 listed first).
• The second column allows you to mark the box for further printing, downloading or emailing (see below).
• The third column gives you a hot link to the title or subject and, if it is a title, lists what libraries hold the book.
• The fourth column gives you the publication year of the title. To see complete information about the title, or to see additional titles under a subject, click on the subject or title hot link.

To Locate the Item

If the item is held by the library: A box on the screen for the item shows you location, call number and status of the book. If you are searching University of Missouri-Kansas City Libraries, the item can be at one of four locations at UMKC:

• UMK MNL is Miller Nichols Library at 800 East 51st Street.
• UMK HSL is the Health Sciences Library at 2411 Holmes, 2nd floor of Medical School.
• UMK Dental is the Dental Library at 650 East 25th Street, 3rd floor of the School of Dentistry.
• UMK Law is the Law Library at 500 East 52nd Street in the Law School.

If you are searching the MOBIUS Union Catalogs, and the item you want is not held at UMKC: You can click on the "Request this Item" hot link at the top of the page to request the item from another location.

If no MOBIUS library has the item: The message "your title (or subject) would be here" is listed in the center of the screen of titles alphabetically near your title or subject. You may request the item from another library by filling out an interlibrary loan form at https://library.umkc.edu/forms/ill.htm.

To Change Your Search

At the top of every screen after you have put in a request, you will see a box that tells you

• your type of search (keyword, exact title, etc.)
• your search term
• the library you searched.

You can change your search by

• typing in a new search term and/or
• clicking on the pull-down arrows to choose a different type of search and/or library.

You also can limit your search.

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Tips on Searching the MOBIUS Union Catalog

Limiting	You may limit your search by any of the following: year of publication language material type (recording, video/proj medium, score, etc.) publisher words in author, title or subject Limiting may be applied after your search by choosing the "Limit/Sort"and following the menu choices.
Emailing, Exporting, and Printing	Click the box next to the title when you are in a list of titles or subjects. Click on Save Marked Records.(Remember to click on Save Marked Records on each page of records you are marking before marking additional records on the next pages). When you are finished marking all records, click on Export Saved List at the top or bottom of your screen. Complete both Send List To and Format of List choices. Send List To browser (to print), email or local disk. Under Format of List, choose full display if you want call numbers. Choose Pro-Cite or End-Note if you have this software. Click on Continue. If you have emailed or sent to local disk, you will receive a message confirming receipt. If you are printing, use your Web browser's print icon.
Number Searches	It is also possible to select a search by call number, Government Document Number, ISBN, ISSN, Music or OCLC numbers. Select the menu option for the appropriate number search.

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MOBIUS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I request books?

• Start your search in MERLIN with the University of Missouri - Kansas City library catalog. If the title you want is not available at UMKC, transfer your search request to the MOBIUS Union Catalog. When you find the item you want, click on the line indicating "# MOBIUS libraries have this item" to find out where the item is located. If the book is not available at UMKC, choose REQUEST THIS ITEM to get the item from another library. You will be asked to identify your institution (MERLIN) and to enter your name, ID number, and the pickup location where you want the item to be delivered. "Submit" the request and it will be forwarded to one of the libraries which has an available copy.

Why can't I request University of Missouri - Kansas City books through the MOBIUS Union Catalog?

• Requests through MOBIUS are for the purpose of borrowing from another library items which are not available at the local library. You must retrieve items in Miller Nichols Library yourself.

How long may I keep books?

• The loan period for all MOBIUS materials is 3 weeks. If you do not return books promptly, you will be billed and your borrowing privileges will be blocked. As a cooperative arrangement, the success of MOBIUS depends on the cooperation of all participants.

How many books may I borrow through MOBIUS?

• Faculty, graduate students, and staff are allowed a maximum of 20 requests or checkouts at any time. Undergraduates are allowed a maximum of 10 items.

How will I know when the items I requested have arrived?

• The library you chose as a pickup location will notify you when the item you requested arrives. You can also use the View Your Library Record function in the MERLIN Library Catalog to check on the status of your requests.
  

The MOBIUS Union Catalog is still under construction and has many options for display and searching. Should you have questions about how to use the MERLIN Library Catalog, please ask for assistance or call the Miller Nichols Library Reference Desk at (816) 235-1534, the Health Sciences Reference Desk at (816) 235-1880, or the Dental Library at (816) 235-2030.

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For further assistance, please contact the
Miller Nichols Library Reference Desk at (816) 235-1534.

Guide compiled by Laura Gayle Green