Scout simultaneously searches the library catalog, databases of scholarly work (e.g., JSTOR and RILM), electronic collections (e.g., HathiTrust), streaming media (e.g., Naxos and Alexander Street Press), and much more. Because Scout casts a wide net, many students like to use it as a starting point for their research. While Scout may be useful as you begin gathering resources, please note that you will probably need to search the appropriate subject databases to adequately cover your topic.
The Libraries' Catalog is a "traditional" library catalog of local holdings. The catalog may be used to find print books, sound recording, films, and scores, as well as some e-books and streaming media assets. When using the catalog, we recommend starting your search from the "Advanced Search" tab.
HathiTrust is a partnership of research institutions committed to digital preservation of the cultural record. The Digital Library provides access to public domain and some in-copyright content from a variety of sources, including Google, the Internet Archive, Microsoft, and in-house partner institution initiatives.
Materials are available to the extent permitted by copyright law.
HathiTrust catalog records are included in Scout, but not in the Libraries’ Catalog.
WorldCat is a shared international library catalog documenting the holdings of libraries across the United States, as well as many international institutions. If you would like to expand your search for resources beyond the items available locally at the University of Alabama, WorldCat is an excellent resource. Just like our local library catalog, WorldCat can be searched by keyword, author, title, subject heading, and more. Items may be requested through ILLiad, our InterLibrary Loan system.
If an item is not available at the University of Alabama libraries, you may request it through ILLiad, our InterLibrary Loan system. Visit the libraries' ILLiad page and login with your myBama username and password to make a request.