Using the Camden Libraries Catalogue
How do I get started?To use the online Library Catalogue, decide which kind of search will suit you best. Use your mouse to click on your preferred search type in the left-hand panel.
A fresh page will then appear on the main side of the screen. Type what you are searching for in the box provided. Then click on 'Begin Search'.
Use this search for a listing of all books by a particular author. Editors, compilers, translators and illustrators are treated as 'authors' for this purpose.
Just click on 'Author' (on the left). Then type the author's name in the white 'Author' box which appears.
Type the surname first, then a comma, then (if you can) the author's first name or initial. Capital letters are optional.
Type, for example:
Then click on the 'Begin Search' button.
'Author' search may also be used to find musical material (CD, audiocassette, score) under its composer, or the orchestra, band or artiste performing.
Type, for example:
Use this search if you know the title of the item you require.
Just click on 'Title' (on the left). Then in the white 'Title' box which appears type the title's first few words. Capital letters are optional. Omit any initial article (e.g. The, A, An, La), but include any subsequent one.
Type, for example:
but not war of worlds
Then click on the 'Begin Search' button.
If you don't know the exact title try Keyword search instead.
Use this search if you only know a word or a few
words of a title.
Just click on 'Keyword' (on the left). Then in the white 'Keyword' box which appears type the word or words which you know.
Type, for example:
Then click on the 'Begin Search' button.
You may also use Keyword search to search for books about a person (e.g. biographies). Type, for example:
Then click on the 'Begin Search' button.
Use this search if you know both the author and the title
of an item, and would like to home in on it quickly. (If you don't know the proper title, then use an Author-Keyword search instead.) Just click on 'Author & Title' (on the left).
Then in the white box which appears type the author name (Surname first) see Author search and the first few words of the title see Title search .
Type, for example
Then click on the 'Begin Search' button.
Use this search if you know both the author of an item and a word or words appearing in its title or subject. Just click on 'Author & Keyword' (on the left). Then in the white box which appears type the author's name (surname first), see Author Search and the word or words which you know from the title or subject - see Keyword search .
Type, for exampleUse this search to find items
by means of a specific subject term. Just click on 'Subject' (on the left). In the white 'Subject' box which appears type the required subject term.
Be as precise as you can. Type, for example:
rather than
sport, health, food, pets
Then click on the 'Begin Search' button.
Only library staff, and others familiar with the Dewey classification scheme, will find this search type useful. Most users will find 'Subject' search more helpful. Using a classmark search enables you to search for
items within the same subject area, on the basis of their Dewey classification number. Just click on 'Classification' (on the left). In the white 'Dewey Number' box which appears type the class number for the subject which interests you. Type, for example:
Then click on the 'Begin Search' button.
Use this search if you know the International Standard Book Number of a specific item. As each item has a unique number, this search should result in an exact match. Just click on 'ISBN' (on the left). In the white box which appears type the required ISBN. Then click on the 'Begin Search' button.
How do I find out more about a particular title?
When you have found an entry which interests you, you may wish to find out which Camden Libraries hold copies of the particular title. Clicking on a title in the list will take you to the copy locations screen.
This screen shows the locations for all the available copies of your selected reference. The copy locations screen shows:
If you click on a line, you will be able to view further details about copy availability.
The copies screen gives you more detailed information about individual copies of your chosen title. The copies screen shows:
Which catalogue should I choose?
Normally, leave the Catalogue box as it is, with Main Catalogue highlighted. The Main Catalogue lists the entire stock of the Camden library service.
Click on Childrens if you are interested only in the stock of the Children's Libraries.
Do not click on Schools unless you are a teacher using the Camden Schools Library Service. The 'Schools' catalogue lists SLS stock only: this is not available to the general public.
Click on Music Scores to search for printed music only.
The Visually Impaired catalogue is designed to assist customers with a visual impairment. Select it if you wish to home in specifically on large print or talking books.
'Date' means date of publication. If you click on 'Limit by Date', a box appears, inviting you to type in a date or range of dates. You may specify:
Type in your date or date range. Ensure that your main search term is still present in the top box - if not, retype it - then click on 'Begin Search'.
Use 'Limit by Language' if you wish to restrict your search to items in a language other than English. Click on the downward arrow in the bottom right-hand corner of the 'Language' box until your preferred language appears, then click on it. Ensure that your main search term is still present in the top box - if not, retype it - then click on 'Begin Search'. (You may choose more than one language by pressing Ctrl- whilst you click on the second. The system will then search for both languages).
Use 'Limit by Format' if you wish to restrict your search to items in a particular physical format. Click on the downward arrow in the bottom right-hand corner of the 'Format' box until your preferred format appears, then click on it. E.g., if you require only CD versions of a sound recording, click on 'Audio compact discs'. Ensure that your main search term is still present in the top box - if not, retype it - then click on 'Begin Search'.
If searching for a particular musical work, you may find it easiest to use its opus number. Click on 'Limit by Opus', then type the opus number in the box provided. Ensure that your main search term (e.g. the composer's name) is still present in the top box - if not, retype it - then click on 'Begin Search'.
Example: