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How to Borrow

Locating Library Books

Below is an example of a book in the Library's electronic catalogue. Indicated on the image are the parts of the record you MUST notice/write down in order to successfully locate the book you want. Beneath the image is a detailed explanation of each of these elements.

example of a book record

1. Location

The location indicates the library and/or collection the item is located in. You need to know what library the item is in eg. Fisher or Mathematics. However you also need to know if the item is located in a particular collection within that library eg. Fisher undergraduate or Fisher Research or Fisher Reserve.

2. Call Number

The call number tells you where on the shelf you will find the item. When you write down the call number it is important that you write it exactly as it appears on the record - including all full stops and spaces. Some other examples of call numbers you might come across are:   514.4 56   ;   512.86 BER   ;   510.1 34 A   ;   823.91 W913 J10 2

3. Status

The status tells you what is happening with the book at this particular time ie. is the book available or is it missing. A book that is available for loan has a CHECK SHELF status.

Examples of other statuses, and what they mean, are:

Missing Item is missing from the collection
Lost Item has been lost
In transit Item is in the process of being returned to the library it belongs to. This happens when, for example, you return a Madsen Library book to Fisher Library.
Awaiting pickup Item has been returned but is awaiting pickup for the person who had placed a hold (reservation) on it.
Recently returned or
Awaits shelving		 Item has been returned within the last 24 (recently returned) or 48 (Awaits shelving) hours. If you cannot find an item with either of these statuses on the shelf, you should check the sorting shelves/trolleys.
DUE 23-10-00 Item is currently on loan and is due back by the date given.
DUE 18-10-00 +1 HOLD Item is currently out of loan and someone has a hold (reservation) on it. The number (1) tells you how many people already have holds on the item.