Chat with a librarian by clicking on the chat box on the upper right of the screen on most browsers
Submit a question to be answered through email.
Make an appointment with a librarian.
Visit us at the Help Desk on the 2nd floor of the library
Cadets: Contact your Company Librarian
Call the Library Help Desk at x8325
Computer Help: USMA IT Service Desk
Goldcoat support for Cadets: Goldcoats Contact Information
There are several ways to find books owned by the library. We have both Ebooks and physical books in our collection. You can search for both in SCOUT.
You have access to Ebooks with your westpoint.edu credentials so make sure you are signed in to access them.
This is an example of a book we have in the library on the shelf and available to check out. The long number in parenthesis is the book's call number and this is what you will use to find the book on the shelf.
Finding a physical book in the library may be a little difficult if you aren't used to using the Library of Congress System. However, basically the books are in alphabetical order. Don't spend too long looking! We librarians are more than willing to help you find what you need.
Click here to help locate the area of the library where a call number can be found. In general, you will find books about chemistry in the following areas on the East Wing of the 5th floor:
| QD 1 - 65 | General Chemistry |
| QD 71 -142 | Analytical Chemistry |
| QD 146 - 197 | Inorganic Chemistry |
| QD 415 - 436 | Biochemistry |
| QD 450 - 801 | Physical and Theoretical Chemistry |
| QD 625 - 655 | Radiation Chemistry |
| QD 701 - 731 | Photochemistry |
| QD 901 - 999 | Crystallography |
There are several different ways you can go about finding journal articles. One is to do a general search in SCOUT which includes results from a large number of databases but not all of them and will also include books, videos, etc. unless you filter them out.
Another method is to search only in specific chemistry journals. This link will take you to a search page where you can click on a journal, search in that journal, and get results from that specific journal. Be aware that the top search box is for journal titles and subjects not articles. You need to click on a journal first to search.
The library provides access to a number of different chemistry databases. This is another method you can use to search for articles but instead of searching in the library's entire holdings or only in a specific journal, a database will give you results from a number of different journals. You can also look at a comprehensive list of our chemistry and life science databases.
If you are in a hurry, try one of these "best bet" databases.
If you already have a SciFinder account, you will be able to log in to SciFinderⁿ via the new platform and do not need to set up a new account. If you are new to SciFinder, set up an account using this link: (You must be on campus or VPN for this link to work.)
PubChem is the world's largest collection of freely accessible chemical information. Search chemicals by name, molecular formula, structure, and other identifiers. Find chemical and physical properties, biological activities, safety and toxicity information, patents, literature citations and more.
Jove is an incredible resource for watching science experiments and learning about specific topics. There are more than 18,000 videos of experiments available and searchable by type. You can find lab manuals and core concept videos as well as well. You can find more information by clicking on JoVE on the side navigation or clicking here.
You can find an excellent overview of citations styles, academic integrity, and plagiarism here.
Consider using an online citation manager. Zotero Is free, open source citation management tool that comes as a Firefox or Chrome extension or a standalone program for other browsers. It offers plugins for MS Word and Open Office so you can insert citations as you write your paper. You can also create groups to save references for projects to be used by all group members.
In addition, here are links to two important, chemistry-specific citation and scholarly communication sites.
The ACS quick citation guide
The ACS Style Guide is the definitive source for all information needed to write, review, submit, and edit scholarly and scientific manuscripts. See Chapter 14 for citing and referencing guidelines.
Hutchinson Trends In Science by 
Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia by
Extensively updated and revised, this outstanding reference remains the definitive scientific resource for both academic and professional environments Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the most important comprehensive general scientific references available. Substantially revised to cover the many developments since the Eight Edition in 1994, this Ninth Edition ranges across all scientific disciplines as well as many areas of engineering and technology. Topics covered include animal science, anatomy, astronomy, atmospheric science, chemistry, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, earth science, energy sources, information science, life science, materials, mathematics, mechanical engineering, medicine, mining, physics, physiology, planetary science, plant science, power technology, space science, structural engineering, and a host of other subjects. Existing material has been extensively revised for this new edition, and numerous new articles bring the Encyclopedia up-to-date on the latest developments and state-of-the-art knowledge in every discipline. An expanded subject index makes information easier to find. An extensive revision program makes this series an important addition to personal as well as institutional libraries in both academic and industrial settings.
Encyclopedia of Computational Chemistry by
Includes 500 complex illustrations in full color. Thorough cross referencing and Definition Entries (one paragraph dictionary articles). Reference list contains not only traditional material, but also FTP and HTTP sites and similar entries to electronic sources. Contributions from more than 300 leading computational chemists. von Rague Schleyer is also the editor of Wiley's well-known Journal of Computational Chemistry.
Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 27 Volume Set by
Reviews from the previous edition: "The most indispensable reference in the English language on all aspects of chemical technology... the best reference of its kind". --Chemical Engineering News, 1992 "Overall, ECT is well written and cleanly edited, and no library claiming to be a useful resource for chemical engineering professionals should be without it." --Nicholas Basta, Chemical Engineering, December 1992 The fifth edition of the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology builds upon the solid foundation of the previous editions, which have proven to be a mainstay for chemists, biochemists, and engineers at academic, industrial, and government institutions since publication of the first edition in 1949. The new edition includes necessary adjustments and modernisation of the content to reflect changes and developments in chemical technology. Presenting a wide scope of articles on chemical substances, properties, manufacturing, and uses; on industrial processes, unit operations in chemical engineering; and on fundamentals and scientific subjects related to the field. The Encyclopedia describes established technology along with cutting edge topics of interest in the wide field of chemical technology, whilst uniquely providing the necessary perspective and insight into pertinent aspects, rather than merely presenting information. Presents the versatile field of chemical technology through articles on properties, manufacturing, and uses of chemical substances and materials, industrial processes and unit operations, along with scientific principles and insights into current research related to the field Addresses such aspects as economic, health and safety factors, standards, specifications and environmental concerns Includes over 1,300 articles Updated regularly to reflect changes and developments in the field (50-60 new or updated articles added each year) Articles are citable and peer reviewed and include bibliography of cited references as well as suggested reading Previous versions of articles are archived for historical reference The Smart Article functionalities were added in 2014, to enable searching for structures and reactions through to the title and across related products, such as journals, databases, and other reference works The last print edition of Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia published between 2004 and 2007 and is available as a comprehensive 27-Volume Set. Since then, a concise edition (2007) and four thematic volumes (2007-2013) on the Environment, Food and Feed Technology, Separation Technology and Cosmetics, have been published and are available in print and e-book formats. 27 Volumes Updating: wileyonlinelibrary.com/ref/kirk
Linked here are some general reference chemistry resources.
The NIST Chemistry WebBook provides convenient access to a variety of physical and chemical property data on well-defined chemical species and reactions.
