ZSL Library Online Catalogue - FAQs

1. Click on the sidebar for 'Search journal titles only’ or from the entry page click on `Browse search’. 
2. Make sure the pull down menu in 'Look for' is set at 'TI' (All Titles)
3. Type the beginning of the journal/serial title into the box and click on the `Go’ button.
4. Matches appear but some of these will be books and some will be journals. 
5. Click on the most appropriate matching title. 
6. The title and our holdings information will appear with details of volumes and years. 
7. Make a note of the 'Call number' as this is the shelf location of the title in our Library.
8. NB recently received issues are listed as 'Current issues' in the 'Copy information'.
9. If the journal is online, the link appears in the catalogue record

You can use the open access online journals from our catalogue by clicking on the URL in the journal entry. Any titles where we have a limited licence agreement will only be accessible in the Library's Reading Room.

It is usually best to click on 'browse search' in the entry page.

Author

Usually all authors, not just the first author can be searched as well as corporate authors such as Zoological Society of London or Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

1. Make sure the pull down menu in 'Look for' is set at 'AU (All Authors)’.
2. Type in the author’s name in the format `Surname, Initial’ and click on the 'Go' button. Matches appear, click on the most appropriate matches. 
3. Make a note of the 'Call number' as this is the shelf location of the book in our Library.

Title

1. Make sure the pull down menu in 'Look for' is set at 'TI (All Titles)’ 
2. Type in the title (or keyword) and click on the `Go’ button. Matches appear, click on the most appropriate matches. 
3. Make a note of the 'Call number' as this is the shelf location of the title in our Library.

Subject

It is usually best to search by subject using the Library’s subject codes if you know them 
e.g. lions YPO, carnivores YM or Britain /e. NB geographical subject codes are prefixed by /

A-Z list of subject keywords

A-Z List of Subject Codes

1. Make sure the pull down menu in 'Look for' is set at 'SU (Subject)'.
2. Type in the subject code, word or term and click on the 'Go' button. Matches appear, click on the most appropriate matches. 
3. Make a note of the 'Call number' as this is the shelf location of the title in our Library.

If the book is on loan the 'Status' will be 'On loan'.
If the book is in the Library the 'Status' will be 'On the Shelf'.
Books not available for loan have 'Non-circulating' as their 'Status'.

Please note that books of the Collection Type ‘Departmental Book’ are not available for viewing in the Library.

Fellows of ZSL and staff of ZSL may borrow up to six books at any one time for a two month loan period. Student Fellows may borrow two books at any one time. If not required by someone else, the loan period can be extended. ZSL Volunteers may also borrow. Fellows of the Royal Entomological Society may also borrow books. We do not lend books published before 1940. Most books published after 1940 are available for loan.

Yes, select the 'Advanced search' option from the entry page.