Can't find your book?

If you've checked the place on the shelves where the book you want should be, and it isn't there, here's what to do next:

• check the Reshelving bay - this is where books that have just been returned from loan, or that people have been using in the Library, are sorted before being put back on the shelves


• check the Status on the Library Catalogue - the book you are looking for may be out on loan: if it is, you may Request it and we'll hold it for you when it's returned


• check the Location on the Library Catalogue - not all books are in the Main collection: look out for other locations such as the Oversize collection, the Reserve collection, the Law Library, and so on

Don't forget that your book may be slightly out of sequence - have a good look along the shelf or even on the shelves above and below.

If you have looked for an item over several days without success, please let us know at the Loans desk on Barr Smith Library Level 3 (or at the Library desk in the Branch libraries) so that a Library staff search may be initiated.

Non-standard call numbers

Some older books in the collection have two-digit numbers instead of the usual three digits. Simply look for them as if they have a zero on the end.
So, you'll find books with the number 15 shelved as 150, 74 is at 740, 88 is at 880, 92 is at 920, and so on.
Another anomalous group, the general philosophy books, have the call number 1P and are shelved immediately before books with call number 100.
University of Adelaide theses have call numbers starting with 09PH; you'll find them if you add a zero after the 09 - look for 090PH on the shelves.

Need help?

If you are not sure about call numbers, have a look at our help page Locating material in the Barr Smith Library.