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London Metropolitan University

Where to start with Library resources

Using Books & eBooks

Learn how to search and find both physical books and electronic books (eBooks).

Search for books and eBooks

Search for a specific book or books on a topic

From Library Search, click on the Books and eBooks tab.  

Type in your search term.

On the results page, select Source type tick Books and Apply.   

Search for books at a particular library

On the results page, click All filters. The filter menu will appear on the right hand side.  Select Library location and tick the library you want.  This will narrow your results down to books in that library only.

Find a book on the shelf

On the results page you will see a Call number; this enables you to find the book on the shelf.  Follow the signs in the library to find where books at that call number are located on the library shelves. 

  • Books are arranged in numeric order from 000-999. 
  • The first three digits of the call number indicate the general subject area.
  • Books on similar topics are shelved together, meaning you can browse for books on a subject area. 
  • The call number will be on the spine of the book.  
  • They are decimal numbers, for example 371.30281 is shelved before 371.31.

If you're not sure, ask a member of library staff who will be happy to help.

Reserve a book

Our reservation service enables you to reserve a book if all copies are on loan. It also allows you to reserve an available book if you would like it sent to a different site library for collection there. From the results screen click on Access options and Retrieve catalogue item.

On the next screen you can click the button at the top of the screen to reserve.

We will send you an email when the reserved item is ready for you to collect. We will hold all items for one week.

London Metropolitan University provides access to thousands of eBooks in a variety of subject areas. Many of your course text books are available as eBooks. You can access eBooks wherever and whenever you need them.

Search for a specific eBook or eBooks on a topic

From Library Search, click on the Books and eBooks tab.  

Type in your search term.

On the results page, select Source type tick eBooks and Apply

Access the eBook

From the results page select the eBook you would like and click Access options, then select eBook.

Advanced tips

If you know the ISBN of the book you want, type it into the search box and Library Search will find it!