Find a book in the Library

Watch the video for our quick and easy guide to finding and borrowing books in the Library and use the step-by-step guide to using and understanding the shelfmarks.

Finding and borrowing books

  • Video transcript

    Finding a book can be overwhelming so follow these five easy steps.

    Use our library search machines near the service desk to search for the item, author or title you need.

    Look for the shelfmark in Library Search. The first letters indicate the area and shelf location.

    Collections are arranged alphabetically by shelf mark from the top floor down.

    Check the range guides on the shelving stacks in the correct area.

    Shelf marks run sequentially along the shelves. Look for additional letters or numbers to narrow down your search.

    Once you find your book head to the borrow book machine in the lobby. Scan your library card or Sussex app and place the book on the touchpad. You're good to go.

    Books renew automatically but watch for return emails.

    With these easy steps you'll be borrowing like a pro in no time.

 

1. Find the shelfmark

The shelfmark is the combination of letters and numbers you find next to each item on Library Search.

On Library Search, you will find the shelfmark listed next to 'Available in Library' e.g. PS 3505.H3224 B54 1970

Each part of the shelfmark helps you find the correct item. The first letters show the area of the building and the shelf location.

Library collections are organised alphabetically by shelfmark, starting from the top floor. Large touchscreen kiosks on each floor can help you locate books by shelfmark. Catalogue entries also have a 'Map' link for the specific book location. You can also search by the first two letters of the shelfmark using the floor plans.

 If you cannot find a book, please visit the Library Service Desk for assistance.

2. Check the range guides on the shelving stacks

Once you find the correct area, check the range guides at the end of each row. Shelfmarks run in order along the shelves, and the numbers on the range guides are whole numbers.

For example, if you're looking for PS 3505.H3224 B54 1970, it would be in the first stack, as it falls within the range PS 3505 to PS 3515.

3. Check for additional letters

To narrow down further, read the next part of your shelfmark. After the first two lines, each line may have letters, an alphanumeric combination, a decimal number, or a year. In our example, PS 3505.H3224 B54 1970, the third part is an alphanumeric combination.

 

Read the letter alphabetically and the number as a decimal:

.H3224 = H + .3224

The fourth part is also an alphanumeric combination, so read it the same way. This will help you find your book among others on the same shelf.

Remember:

    • Anything after a decimal point should be read as a decimal, not a whole number.
    • Shelfmarks with three lines come before those with four.
    • General topics come before specific ones. For example, books on General Philosophy are before books on Greek Philosophy, which are before books on Aristotle.
    • Brackets are irrelevant to shelf order.