Uncatalogued Materials

Can't find what you're looking for?

You can't find everything that the library has through our catalogue.

Most library material has a catalogue record with author, title, subject and more information describing the item. You use this information to retrieve it with your search - author, title, keyword, etc. However, the library does not catalogue everything.

Here's why.

Paperbacks don't last long in the library but some popular novels are only published as mass-market paperbacks. We buy them in spite of durability problems because of the high demand for them. We don't create permanent catalogue records in order to reduce handling costs.

To keep branch collections fresh, occasionally branch staff can buy paperbacks directly from a bookstore. These books don't go through central processing. Branch staff does just the basics for quick circulation.

For some fiction genres, we buy by the series, not specific titles. We can get the latest Silhouette Nocturne paperback to library users faster because there is no wait for the publisher's announcement of new titles or for the catalogue record to be created.

Library users donate some items. Branches simply barcode the book and put it out for borrowers with little delay.

You might also find extra uncatalogued copies of bestsellers. When publishers release the book as a paperback, we may get extra copies of popular titles.

Visit your branch to see their uncatalogued paperbacks.