Create a list of possible titles and subjects that interest you. Titles consist of specific works, published before 1923. In accordance with U.S. copyright law, books published between 1923 and 1978 will enter the public domain 95 years after publication, and books published after 1978 will enter the public domain 70 years after the author's death. Subjects can be topics of general interest, such as literature, politics, and philosophy. This list will expedite your search results for both online and physical searches.
Search local libraries for books published in the United States before 1923. Ask the reference librarian for assistance or browse the library catalog system. The catalog will identify the library's collection of books published before 1923, as well as public domain books housed at other affiliated branches.
Utilize online library catalogs to search for public domain books. Online searching is faster than going to a physical library, and online library catalogs provide users with author names, book titles, and publication dates. The Library of Congress provides users with an alphabetical listing of online library catalogs available for public use.
Online digital book resources, such as Project Gutenberg and Authorama, are privately maintained sites that provide users with extensive collections of public domain books available for download. Book searches are completed by entering the book title, author, or subject into the website's search engine. Browsing capabilities are also offered, allowing users to peruse books through alphabetical listings of authors or titles.