Finding and Retrieving Information

Using the Library Catalogue

You can access the Library catalogue wherever you are, via the Internet.

Use the catalogue to search for books, journals, newspapers and other items held in the library of the University of Manchester.

1. If you know the exact item you're looking for, type the author and title into the search boxes.
2. Otherwise, you can browse for sources on a particular topic by typing in a keyword into the keyword search box.
3. Click the Search button.

The results will tell you how many copies of the item there are, where they are located, and whether they are available for you to borrow.

Access the Library catalogue.

Databases

A database is an electronic index to published literature. It allows you to search for articles on a particular topic by subject, author, title or keywords. Some contain full text but some only provide references and abstracts.

Each Subject Information page provides guidance on which databases are most suitable to search for information in that specific subject area.

Standalone databases are databases that are only available from one machine in the library. Most electronic journals and databases can be accessed on campus directly, on the basis of University of Manchester IP addresses which have been registered with suppliers and publishers.

eJournals

Electronic journals, or eJournals, provide access to journal articles in electronic format, rather than in paper form.
The journals subscribed to by the Library are listed on the library's Electronic Journals A to Z, and in the library catalogue. From the library catalogue you will be provided with a "Find It" link directly through to the resource.