Guides: Introduction to Research: Find Sources: Books

Finding Books

On this page, you will find:

How to Find Books in WPI Library Search

To find books at the Gordon Library:

Enter your keywords into WPI Library Search
On the search results page, click on Resource Type on the left, and then select the Books filter
To limit your search to online books, go to the Availability filter on the left and select Available online
To limit your search to print books, go to the Availability filter on the left and select Available on shelf

How to Access Books

Ebooks: Many of Gordon Library's books are available digitally, and you can access these via the links in WPI Library Search. For example:

Print books: Print books in the library are organized by call number. When you find a print book in the WPI Library Search, look for the book's call number:

Call numbers A-N are on the 2nd floor of the library. Call numbers P-Z are on the 1st floor. (Please note that the main entrance to the library is on the 2nd floor.)

You can check books out at the information services desk on the main floor. Your WPI ID is your library card.

ILLiad: Borrowing from other Libraries

Is there something you need that the WPI library doesn't have? Our Interlibrary Loan service allows WPI students and faculty to request items from other libraries free of charge.

Search in WorldCat to find books available at other libraries:

WorldCat.org This link opens in a new window
Catalog of books (and other materials) in libraries worldwide.
Coverage: 1200-
Full Text: No

Electronic Book Collections & Databases

These eBook collections & databases allow reading through your browser, and some allow downloading chapters or complete volumes for offline reading.

ACLS Humanities Ebook Collection (HEB) This link opens in a new window
The ACLS Humanities Ebook Collection (ACLS HEB) presents thousands of foundational books in the humanities and social sciences from hundreds of publishers, with 150-200 new titles added annually. ACLS HEB is a collection curated by scholars for scholars; members of ACLS learned societies nominate books for inclusion.
Cambridge Core e-Book Collection This link opens in a new window
ebook collection of over 27,000 titles from Cambridge University Press; available in html format or downloadable PDFs.
Early English Books Online (EEBO) This link opens in a new window
Early English Books Online (EEBO) is the definitive online collection of early printed works in English. With over 125,000 titles from before 1700, the EEBO contains virtually every work printed in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and British North America and works in English printed elsewhere from 1473-1700.
Ebook Central (ProQuest Ebook Central) This link opens in a new window
200,000+ full text books on many topics: Business & Economics, Computers, Technology & Engineering, Humanities, Life & Physical Sciences, Social & Behavioral Sciences. For help using Ebook Central: https://proquest.libguides.com/ebookcentral

You must either be on campus or using the VPN if off campus to connect with this content.
>>In case of difficulty, try clearing your browser's cache.<<

Coverage: Current
Full Text: Yes
For most titles users can download chapters or sections by page range to PDF. Whole book downloads available for up to 3 weeks via Adobe Digital Editions. Access the site from your tablet or phone, and download eBooks for offline reading.
eBook Collection (EBSCOhost) This link opens in a new window
Search and browse 12,000 full text eBooks.
Full Text: Yes
Elgar Online Ebooks This link opens in a new window
Two ebook collections from Elgar Publishing: Sustainable Development Goals Essentials and Climate Change Essentials, plus 111 open access titles from Elgar.
Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Search Gale eBook reference content such as Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America, Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History, Major Acts of Congress, Encyclopedia of Bioethics and 20+ other titles.
Coverage: 2000-
Full Text: Yes
Titles Included
Content can be downloaded, typically as an HTML file. However, some are available as a PDF.
JSTOR e-Book Collection This link opens in a new window
Browsable collection of e-books from JSTOR. Downloadable PDFs available at the chapter level.
Knovel This link opens in a new window
Collection of critical science and engineering handbooks.(Subscription includes: General Engineering & Project Administration section; Mechanics & Mechanical Engineering section; Chemistry & Chemical Engineering section; ASM International Handbooks Online). Access provided by a gift from the Victor E. Kohman, ’43 Memorial Fund.
Coverage: Current
Full Text: Yes
Titles Included
Individual chapters are available to download as PDFs. However, Knovel recommends limiting downloads to 10% or 25 pages of content per title.
MIT Press Direct Ebooks Collection This link opens in a new window
Access to 3000+ ebook titles from MIT Press. Key subject areas covered in the complete collection include art and architecture, biomedical sciences, business and finance, computer science, cognitive science, design, education, environment, game studies, humanities, information science, linguistics, neuroscience, new media, philosophy, and social sciences.
Morgan & Claypool Synthesis Collection (e-books) This link opens in a new window
Searchable collection of 50- to 100-page electronic books in Engineering and Computer Science that synthesize important research or development topics, authored by a prominent contributor to the field.
Oxford Reference This link opens in a new window
Contains 100+ dictionary, language reference, and subject reference works full text and searchable.
Coverage: Varies
Full Text: Yes
O’Reilly Books This link opens in a new window
The O’Reilly digital platform includes more than 38,000 book titles and more than 30,000 hours of video. Topics range from programming to IT networking to project management to graphic design to business strategy. The content includes code snippets, certification preparation materials, practice exercises, training videos, and much more. Users can search thousands of books simultaneously online, saving time and quickly finding the information they need.
See https://proquest.libguides.com/oreilly for further information.

***To view and download O'Reilly eBooks, WPI community members must create a personal account with their @wpi.edu email account.
Project MUSE Open Access Books This link opens in a new window
Collection of over 4000 Open Access ebooks from Project Muse
SPIE Digital Library (Books) ( 1989 - 2017) This link opens in a new window
Coverage from 1989 - 2017. A collection of top optics and photonics titles from SPIE. Spotlights: Concise, topically focused, peer-reviewed mini-tutorials covering a technology application or technique.Press Monographs: Authoritative reference works, texts, and handbooks.Tutorial Texts: Works covering fundamental and emerging topics at introductory and intermediate levels.Field Guides: Concise quick-reference guides to key information that students, practicing engineers, and scientists need in the lab and in the field.
SpringerLink e-Books This link opens in a new window
e-Book collection of over 75,000 titles from Springer; most books can be downloaded in PDF format by chapter or book.
Taylor & Francis E-book Collection This link opens in a new window
Over 3000 e-books from Taylor and Francis; items can be read online and downloaded in PDF format by chapter or full e-book.
De Gruyter Open Access eBooks This link opens in a new window
Collection of over 3000 Open Access e-books from De Gruyter Publishing.

Introduction to Research: Find Sources: Books

Finding Books

How to Find Books in WPI Library Search

How to Access Books

ILLiad: Borrowing from other Libraries

Electronic Book Collections & Databases

Related Guides