While many research studies are published in academic journals, others are published in book collections. Technology has made it possible for almost anyone to become an author, and the publishing world is experiencing an explosion of self-published works! Many of these works are not edited for accuracy, readability, or authenticity, so it makes our job as researchers more challenging! At the SKC Library, we do our best to purchase only quality materials, but it’s best to evaluate the information just as you would for a website or journal article.

The SKC Library uses the Library of Congress classification system to organize our books. Medical items are shelved in the R section, which is broken down into smaller groups. Some subgroups that might interest you are:

  • RA Public aspects of medicine
  • RB Pathology (Study of Disease)
  • RC Internal medicine
  • RD Surgery
  • RE Ophthalmology (Eyes)
  • RF Otorhinolaryngology (Ear, nose, throat)
  • RG Gynecology and obstetrics (Women’s Health and Pregnancy)
  • RJ Pediatrics (Children)
  • RK Dentistry
  • RL Dermatology (Skin)
  • RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
  • RS Pharmacy and materia medica
  • RT Nursing

(University of California- Santa Cruz, n.d.)

When you find a book in SKC’s online catalog, you will get a call number that is a mix of letters and numbers. To find it, use the system shown in the image to the right.