Libraries Catalogue

Finding the book you want

To search for the book you want, you can choose Title, Author or Keyword.

Title
If you know what the book is called you can click on Title Search and then type in the name of the book. So if you type in Twilight you will see a list of all the books and talking books called Twilight.

Author
If you liked Lily Alone, you might want to read more books by the same writer, Jacqueline Wilson. Click on Author Search and type in her name. You need to put her surname first like this: Wilson, Jacqueline.

Keyword
If you have homework on a particular topic like Earthquakes or the Egyptians, you can click on Keyword Search and type in words to find books about these subjects. Click on one of the books in the list to find out more about the book. 'Shelf Location' tells you where the book is kept in the library. Books that have a J as part of the number (e.g. J551.21 for a book on Earthquakes) are suitable for children or young people.

Advanced Search
If you choose Children and Young People, you will only see the books in the children's and teenage sections of Birmingham Libraries. You can also look for just recorded music or just DVDs.

Reference Books
Not all books that are in the catalogue can be borrowed. Some are just for reference and can only be looked at in the library. This is so that these books are always there for everyone to see. Examples include Homework Collection books and many of the books in the Reference parts of Central Library, in Business Insight, and on floors 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Central Library special note: Books on floors 4, 5 and 6 are not currently available on a Monday or Tuesday as the upper floors of Central Library are shut on these days. Books which are in the Store are currently not available at all. This is because staff are getting ready to move to the new Library of Birmingham in 2013.

Renewing your books
You can find out from the catalogue what books you already have out on loan and when you should take them back. You can also renew them unless someone else has reserved them. Click on Your Loans and type in your library card number and PIN. (You can find out your PIN number from your local library if you don't already know it but remember to keep it secret so that no one else can use your card).

Reserving books
If the book you want is not at your local library or is out on loan to someone else, you can reserve it online through the catalogue and choose which library you want to collect it from. Children can reserve up to 4 items at a time. We will let you know when the book is ready to collect - you can choose whether you would like us to email or text you.

Don't forget, the library has lots of other things to borrow as well as books, such as stories on CD. You can even borrow music CDs from some libraries for a small charge.

Birmingham Libraries Catalogue
More information about how to use the catalogue
Children's Subject Index