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Library Research Tools and Assistance

Search Catalog USMAI

About Catalog USMAI

Catalog USMAI is the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions, a consortium of eighteen academic libraries in Maryland. Catalog USMAI is a combined database of all items in these library collections 

Use Catalog USMAI when you wish to focus your search on items in specific library collections (Reference, Media, Government Documents, etc.) or formats (DVD, music scores, etc.).   

While some eBooks may be found in Catalog USMAI, items from Ort Library's article and reference databases are only available by searching in OneSearch or directly through individual databases from the A-Z Databases list. 

Anybody may search Catalog USMAI either on or off campus without logging in.  However, a login will be required to request items from other campuses or to open one of the Ort Library's eBooks. 

Students, faculty or staff members will then need to use their 14-digit library barcode number and their last name to login. The 14-digit library barcode number is located on the FSU ID card and is also available in PAWS. 

Searching in Catalog USMAI

Catalog USMAI is the older search system listing books, government documents, periodical holdings (journals, magazines, newspapers), videos, audio materials, and other non-print items owned by FSU and the other University System of Maryland (USM) campuses and Affiliated Institutions. Catalog USMAI can't be used for searching specific articles.

At the Basic Search screen, use the pull-down menu to select the type of search you wish to conduct (word, author, title, etc.):
To find books about a subject, person, place, or event:

  • Word/s anywhere – Retrieves words, places and dates from the title, subject headings and other parts of the catalog record.  This type of search allows for the most flexible method of locating materials on a topic.

  • Subject beginning with –This type of search uses Library of Congress Subject headings and is very useful for narrowing broad topic areas, or browsing by subjects such as Mexico– History – 20th century

  • Subject word(s) - Type in a subject keyword to retrieve a list of books

At the Advanced Search Screen, you have multiple boxes with pull down menus for power searching. You can also limit your search to a specific format (book, dissertation, film/video, etc.) or a specific collection.

Borrowing Books from other USM Libraries using Request an Item

If you are a registered Library borrower, you may request that circulating materials from other USMAI Libraries be sent to the FSU Library for you to check out. To place a request for a book, follow these steps:

  1. Click on Choose Campus at the top of the screen.
  2. At the upper left, select the Catalog link under USMAI (all campuses).
  3. Conduct your search and click on the title of a desired book.
  4. Click on the Availability link next to all locations.
  5. Click on the Find It button or Request link on the next screen and follow the instructions.
  6. You will need to log in using the barcode number on your FSU ID card.