Using the library catalogues

The Library has three catalogues:

1. Integrated computer catalogue
2. Main library author catalogue
3. Rowe Library catalogue

In addition, the computer catalogue is also to be found in the Departmental file of the University of Cambridge online catalogue. For information about the Special Collections catalogues, please follow the links on the main contents page of this guide.

The integrated computer catalogue

In the catalogue bay in the Main Library and in the Rowe reading room you will find search terminals where you can search the holdings of the library via the web catalogue. This catalogue can also be accessed by any online computer without restriction. Search the library catalogue.

The computerised catalogue employs a full-text searching mechanism, which means that you can look for a book by author, title, subject, keyword, year, classmark, or series or indeed through a word in the contents and notes fields. You can also browse the catalogue under many headings.

Requests

Recalls / holds

To recall a book that is on loan (referred to as "placing a hold"):

1. Search for the book you need in the catalogue
2. Click on the 'Request' link on the purple toolbar, and then on 'Place hold'
3. Fill in the barcode number from the back of your University card (5 letters/digits, usually beginning with V) in the user id field
4. Click 'Place hold'

Purchase requests

To request the Library to buy a book:

1. See our policy on book recommendations
2. Click on the 'Request' link
3. Click on 'Recommend to purchase' and fill in the form that appears.

My account

To check your account, change your pin or renew your books:

1. Log in to ILINK by typing your user id into the box at the top right of the screen and clicking on 'Login to ILINK'
2. Click on the 'My Account' link on the purple toolbar
3. Log out once you have finished
4. To make your account secure, you need to create a PIN the first time you log in:
   1. After logging in, click on 'My Account'
   2. Click on 'User PIN Change'
   3. Enter a memorable PIN or password in the 'Enter new PIN' box, and again in the 'Re-enter new PIN' box
   4. Click on 'Change PIN' to make your account secure

Another way to view our holdings

A copy of the College's catalogue can be found in the UL's Newton catalogue: in the Universal catalogue and within College Libraries A-N database. This version of the catalogue does not show the current loan status of each title, however, as it does not hold our circulation details.

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Main library author catalogue

This consists of the hand-written bolted volumes on the catalogue stand. The entries are arranged alphabetically by author or editor, or by the title for an anonymous work. Each entry gives the classmark of a classified book, or the fixed shelf mark for the older (pre-1830) stock. A red "S", or similar symbol, indicates that a book has been placed in store. Please ask a member of the Library staff if you wish to gain access to books in store, but please give reasonable notice as immediate fetching is seldom possible. Most store books must be read in the Library when the Library staff are present.

There is now no need to consult the author catalogue for the undergraduate holdings which have been transferred onto the computer catalogue. However, for the pre-1830 holdings, this is still the main catalogue to use.

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Rowe Music Library catalogue

All open access music books and journals and some opera scores have been catalogued on the computer catalogue, and the collected works of major composers are currently being catalogued. The computerised borrowable stock can be borrowed via the loan station terminal in the Main Library. The major part of the Rowe Library holdings, however, has not been computerised, and titles are recorded in a series of typed catalogue books in the Rowe Library reading room on the second floor. There is a related subject index.

This record describes three copies of a piece of unbound music. The first one is the 51st item in Box LXIII in the middle bay of the Rowe, while the second and third copies are reserved items. Apply to the Librarian if you wish to see a reserved item.

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