How to find books on the shelves: Quick guide

1.  Carry out a library search

2.  Check the item is available to borrow and find the classmark

Click on the item you want to find to open the record

Is the item available?  If not, click here to find out how to reserve an item.

Make a note of the title, author and classmark.
The classmark tells you exactly where the item will be located on the shelves. Each book has a classmark on its spine.

If the book is held at the Penryn campus, click on the View record details on the Penryn Campus Library Catalogue to find out the shelf number availability. 

3.  Locate on the shelves

Use library signage and floor plans to navigate your way around the library to find the classmark where the book you want is located.

For example, if you were searching for the call number 930.1, start by locating the 900s, then narrow your search to the 930s and so on.

​Click here to find floor plans (and more) of the library you are in.

Information on how library books are organised can be found here. Find out more about Dewey and classmarks.