How to find a book online
Step one - Search the library catalogue
- Search the library catalogue online to find what you are looking for.
- Each book listing will say whether it is available (see highlight one in the below image). You can reserve books if they are currently unavailable.
- The book listing will also show you where it is located within the library. This information will include -
- Which library and floor it is located on - Eg Mile End Library - Arts and Social Science book collection (2nd floor) (see highlight two in below image)
- Where on the shelves it is located using a shelfmark - Eg GBE 653.3 LEW (see highlight three in below image)
Step two - Finding your book using the shelfmark
Books are arranged in alphabetical and numerical order. For example, if your shelfmark is GBE 653.3 LEW -
- First, look for the shelves starting with 'G', then narrow down to 'GBE'.
- On the 'GBE' shelves, look for the number 653.3.
- The final letters, in this case LEW, relate to the author's surname.
How to find a book in-person
If you would like to browse our libraries for books without searching online first, you can use the subject shelfmark index to locate the appropriate topic.
Mile End Library
First floor
- North Reading Room: Books with shelfmarks P-Z
- South Reading Room: Print journals; law reports and statutes
Second floor
- North Reading Room: Books with shelfmarks A-P; DVDs
- South Reading Room: Print journals
Whitechapel Library
Ground floor
- Books
Basement
- Print journals
West Smithfield Library
Ground floor
- Books
Mile End Library subject shelfmark index
Subject |
Shelfmark |
|---|---|
|
Aeronautical engineering |
TL |
|
Aesthetics |
BH |
|
Africa (History) |
DT |
|
Africa, Asia (Political Science) |
JQ, JS, JV |
|
African Literature |
PS |
|
Ageing |
QP86 |
|
Agiosperms |
QK495 |
|
Agriculture |
S |
|
Algae |
QK565 |
|
Alternative medicine |
R733 |
|
American Literature |
PS |
|
Anglo-Saxon |
PB |
|
Animal Behaviour |
QL751 |
|
Animal culture |
SF |
|
Animal Intelligence |
QL785 |
|
Animal physiology |
QP31 |
|
Anthropology |
GN |
|
Aquaculture |
SH |
|
Arachnida |
QL451 |
|
Archaeology |
CC, CD, CE, CJ, CN, CR, CS, CT |
|
Architecture |
NA |
|
Art |
N |
|
Art by Country |
N |
|
Arthropoda |
QL434 |
|
Asia (History) |
DS |
|
Astronomy |
QB |
|
Atlases of human anatomy |
QM25 |
|
Australia (History) |
DU |
|
Australian Literature |
PS |
|
Austrian Literature |
PT |
|
Austro-Hungarian History |
DB |
|
Bacterial systematics |
QR82 |
|
Balkans (History) |
DR |
|
Belgium (History) |
DH |
|
Biology |
QH |
|
Biology of Fishes |
QL615 |
|
Biomedical engineering |
R856 |
|
Biotechnology |
QR53 |
|
Birds |
QL673 |
|
Blood |
QP91 |
|
Botany |
QK |
|
Botany textbooks |
QK47 |
|
Brain |
QM455 |
|
British History |
DA |
|
Building construction |
TH |
|
Business Finance, Investment |
HG4006 |
|
Calculus |
QA |
|
Canada (Law) |
KE, KEA |
|
Canadian & Latin American History |
F |
|
Canadian Literature |
PS |
|
Cardiovascular systems |
QP102 |
|
Caribbean Literature |
PS |
|
Cartography |
GA |
|
Catalan |
PB |
|
Celtic |
PB |
|
Chemistry |
QD |
|
Christianity |
BR, BS, BX |
|
Circuit analysis |
TK |
|
Classical Philology and Languages |
PA |
|
Coelenterata (cnidaria) |
QL375 |
|
Community medicine |
RA485 |
|
Comparative Anatomy (individual organs of animals) |
QL805 |
|
Computer Science, Databases, Networks |
QA |
|
Crustacea |
QL435 |
|
Cryptograms |
QK505 |
|
Decorative arts |
NK, NX |
|
Dental anatomy (includes Oral Histology/Embryology) |
QM306 |
|
Dental microbiology |
QR47 |
|
Dentistry |
RK |
|
Doctor-Patient relations/ communication |
R727 |
|
Drawing, Design, Illustration, Commercial Art |
NC |
|
Early Modern |
PB |
|
Eastern Europe (History) |
DJK |
|
Economic history by country |
HC |
|
Economics |
HB |
|
Education |
L, LA, LB, LC, LF |
|
Electrical engineering |
TK |
|
Embryology |
QL955 |
|
Endocrinology |
QP187 |
|
Engineering |
T |
|
Engineering mathematics |
TA |
|
English Language |
PE |
|
English Literature |
PR |
|
Entomology |
QL462 |
|
Environmental engineering |
TD |
|
Ethnic groups |
RA564.9 |
|
Europe (Law) |
KJ |
|
Europe (Political Science) |
JN |
|
European Union Law |
KJE, KJV |
|
Film |
PN |
|
Finance |
HG |
|
Fish Physiology |
QL639.1 |
|
Flora of Britain |
QK306 |
|
Flora of Europe |
QK281 |
|
Forestry |
SD |
|
French |
PB |
|
French History |
DC |
|
French Language |
PC |
|
French Literature |
PQ |
|
Funghi |
QK601 |
|
Gastro-intestinal system |
QP145 |
|
General and civil engineering |
TA |
|
General Science |
Q |
|
General Zoology textbooks |
QL47 |
|
Geography |
G |
|
Geology |
GBE |
|
German History |
DD |
|
German Language |
PF |
|
German Literature |
PT |
|
Germanic |
PB |
|
Great Britain (Political Science) |
JN 101 |
|
Greco-Roman History |
DE |
|
Greek History |
DF |
|
Gymnosperms |
QK494 |
|
Heart |
QP111 |
|
Hepaticae |
QK553 |
|
Histology |
QM551 |
|
History |
D |
|
History of Art |
N |
|
History of Civilization |
CB |
|
Holland (History) |
DJ |
|
Human Anatomy |
QM |
|
Human Anatomy |
QM23 |
|
Human development |
QP84 |
|
Human Geography |
GF |
|
Human physiology |
QP34 |
|
Human physiology & the environment |
QP82 |
|
Hunting |
SK |
|
Hydraulic engineering |
TC |
|
Immunology |
QR181 |
|
Indian Literature |
PS |
|
Intelligence Services |
JWB |
|
International Relations |
JX |
|
Invertebrates |
QL362 |
|
Irish Literature in English |
PS |
|
Islam |
BP |
|
Italian |
PB |
|
Italian History (from ancient Rome) |
DG |
|
Italian Language |
PC |
|
Italian Literature |
PQ |
|
Judaism |
BM |
|
Laboratory Animals |
QL55 |
|
Latin American Literature |
PQ |
|
LAW |
|
|
Law in general, Jurisprudence |
K, KAH, KAJ |
|
Law of the sea |
KZA |
|
Law of the United Kingdom and Ireland |
KD |
|
Library Sciences |
Z |
|
Linguistics |
P |
|
Literary criticism and history |
PR |
|
Logic |
BC |
|
Mammals |
QL703 |
|
Management, Organization of Production |
HD28 |
|
Marine algae |
QK570.2 |
|
Material engineering |
TM |
|
Mathematics |
QA |
|
Medical dictionaries |
R121 |
|
Medical economics |
RA410 |
|
Medical materials |
R857.M3 |
|
Medical microbiology |
QR46 |
|
Medical psychology / Health psychology |
R726.5 |
|
Medical sociology |
RA418 |
|
Medical statistics |
RA409 |
|
Medical textbooks |
R46 |
|
Medicine |
R |
|
Metabolism |
QP171 |
|
Microbial ecology |
QR100 |
|
Microbiology |
QR9-QR502 |
|
Microbiology - general textbooks |
QR41 |
|
Middle English |
PB |
|
Military Science |
JW, JWA |
|
Modern languages |
PB |
|
Mollusca |
QL403 |
|
Motor vehicles |
TL |
|
Musci (Mosses) |
QK537 |
|
Museum Theory |
AE, AG, AM, AP, AS, AZ |
|
Music |
M, ML, MT |
|
Myriapoda |
QL449 |
|
National Health Service (NHS) |
RA412.5.G7 |
|
Netherland (History) |
DH |
|
Neuroanatomy |
QM451 |
|
Neurology |
RC |
|
Norse (Language) |
PB |
|
Northern Europe (History) |
DL |
|
Obstetrics & Gynaecology |
RG |
|
Oncology |
RC |
|
Ophtalmology |
RE |
|
Otorhinolaryngology |
RF |
|
Painting |
ND, NE |
|
Parasitology |
QL757 |
|
Pathology |
RB |
|
Pediatrics |
RJ |
|
Philosophy |
B |
|
Philosophy of Art |
N |
|
Physical Geography |
GB |
|
Physics |
QC |
|
Physiology |
QP21-QP981.C28 |
|
Physiology of Invertebrates |
QL364 |
|
Phytochemistry |
QK861 |
|
Plant Cell & Tissues |
QK725 |
|
Plant Geography |
QK101 |
|
Plant Growth & Development |
QK731 |
|
Plant Hormones |
QK745 |
|
Plant Physiology |
QK711 |
|
Plant Systematics & Taxonomy |
QK95 |
|
Political sciences |
JA, JC, JF |
|
Politics |
J |
|
Pollen |
QK658 |
|
Portuguese |
PB |
|
Portuguese Literature |
PQ |
|
Post Colonial Literature |
PS |
|
Protozoa |
QL366 |
|
Psychiatry |
RC |
|
Psychology |
BF |
|
Pteridophyta (Ferns) |
QK522 |
|
Public finance, taxation |
HJ |
|
Railways |
TF |
|
Religions, Mythology |
BL |
|
Religious Art |
N |
|
Religious law |
KB, KBB, KBD, KBL, KBP |
|
Reproduction |
QK825 |
|
Reproduction |
QK825 |
|
Reptiles & Amphibians |
QL641 |
|
Reptiles & Amphibians |
QL641 |
|
Research/ Biomedical technology |
R850-R855 |
|
Respiratory system |
QP121 |
|
Respiratory system |
QP121 |
|
Roads |
TE |
|
Romance Languages |
PB |
|
Rumanian |
PB |
|
Russia |
DK |
|
Russia (History) |
DK |
|
Russian Language & Literature |
PG |
|
Russian Language & Literature |
PG |
|
Scandinavian Literature |
PT |
|
Scandinavian Literature |
PT |
|
Sculpture |
NB |
|
Sculpture |
NB |
|
Social Sciences |
H |
|
Sociology |
HM, HN, HQ, HS, HT, HV |
|
Spain |
DP |
|
Spain (History) |
DP |
|
Spanish |
PB |
|
Spanish Language |
PC |
|
Spanish Literature |
PQ |
|
Statistics |
HA |
|
STATUTES |
|
|
Surgery |
RD |
|
Swiss-German Literature |
PT |
|
The aged |
RA564.8 |
|
Theatre |
PN |
|
Tissues |
QP88 |
|
Trees and Shrubs |
QK475 |
|
U.S.A. History |
E |
|
United States (Political Science) |
JK, JL |
|
USA (Law) |
KF, KFM, KFN, KFV, KFZ, KGJ, KGS, KHB, KHD, KHH, KJ, KJC |
|
Virology |
QR360 |
|
Voyages and Expeditions |
QL4 |
|
West Germanic |
PB |
|
Women's health |
RA564.85 |
|
Worms |
QL386 |
|
Zoology |
QL |
Whitechapel Library subject shelfmark index
Subject |
Shelfmark |
|---|---|
| Anaesthetics | WO200 |
| Anatomy | QS |
| Biochem. Cell Biology, Genetics | QU |
| Biometry | QH323.5 |
| Cancer | QZ200 |
| Cardiovascular system | WG |
| Chemistry | QD |
| Child Psychiatry | WS350 |
| Chronic Disease | WT500 |
| Clinical Pathology | QY90 |
| Communicable Disease | WC |
| Cytology | QH573 |
| Dental Anaesthetics | WO460 |
| Dental Anatomy | WU101 |
| Dental Materials | WU190 |
| Dental Public Health | WU113 |
| Dental Radiology | WN230 |
| Dentistry | WU |
| Dermatology | WR |
| Digestive system | WI |
| Education | L |
| Embryology | QS604 |
| Endocrine system | WK |
| Endodontics | WU230 |
| Epidemiology | WA105 |
| Forensic Medicine | W700 |
| General Medicine & Practice | WB |
| Genetics | QZ50 |
| Geriatrics | WT |
| Gynaecology | WP |
| Haemic & Lymphatic systems | WH |
| Histology | QS504 |
| Immune Disorders | WD300 |
| Immunology | QW501 |
| Medical Education | W18 |
| Medical Ethics | W50 |
| Metabolic Diseases | WD200 |
| Microbiology | QW |
| Musculoskeletal system | WE |
| Nephrology | WJ300 |
| Nervous system | WL |
| Neuroanatomy | WL101 |
| Neurophysiology | WL102 |
| Neurosurgery | WL368 |
| Nursing | WY |
| Obstetrics | WQ |
| Operative Dentistry | WU300 |
| Ophthalmology | WW |
| Oral Microbiology | QW65 |
| Oral Pathology | WU140 |
| Oral Physiology | WU102 |
| Oral Surgery | WU600 |
| Orthodontics | WU400 |
| Orthopaedics | WE168 |
| Otolaryngology | WV |
| Paediatrics | WS |
| Paedodontics | WU480 |
| Parasitology | QX |
| Pathology | QZ |
| Periodontics | WU240 |
| Pharmacology | QV |
| Physical Therapy | WB460 |
| Physiology | QT |
| Practice of Medicine | WB |
| Prosthetics | WU500 |
| Psychiatry | WM |
| Psychology | BF |
| Public Health | WA |
| Radiology, Diagnostic Imaging | WN |
| Radiotherapy | QZ269 |
| Respiratory system | WF |
| Rheumatology | WE540 |
| Social Medicine | WA31 |
| Social Science | H |
| Sports Medicine | QT260 |
| Statistics | QA |
| Surgery | WO |
| Therapeutics | WB300 |
| Toxicology | QV600 |
| Urogenital system | WJ |
| Viral Infections | WC500 |
| Virology | QW160 |