Searching our catalogues

Non-fiction categories

Finding books in the non-fiction subject areas is easy in Westminster Lending Libraries (NB: Reference Libraries are not organised in the same way).

You don’t have to search through lots of numbers or indexes. All you need to do is check the category list and browse the books in that category. Of course, if there is a specific book you are looking for, then you can locate it by using the e-library catalogue.

Here are the category codes and their abbreviations (which are on the spine of every book):

ART
Architecture, History of Art, Art and Architecture: Artists, Drawings, Sculpture

BEL
Philosophy, Religions, Sacred Belief and Thought: Works, Metaphysics

BIOG
Autobiography, Biographies, Biography: Collected Letters

BODY
Medicine, Health Service, Body and Mind: Psychology, Relationships, Health, Keep Fit, Self Improvement

BUS
Businesses, Economics, Job Business and Management: Hunting, Accounts, Management, Marketing, Office Skills, Shares

COM
Computer Programmes, Hardware, Computing: PCs, Software, Word Processing

CRA
Antiques, Drawing, Flower Crafts and Collecting: Arranging, Hobbies, Knitting, Needlework, Painting, Soft Furnishings, Stamp Collecting, Upholstery

CRI
Crime: Murder, Piracy, True Crime DIY Building, Decorating, Home

DIY
and the Home: Electrics, Interior Design, Plumbing, Woodwork

EDU
Careers, Grants, Higher Education, Education and Careers: Schools, School Governors, Study Skills, Teaching

ENV
Animal Rights, Conservation, Environmental Issues: Energy, Green Issues, Pollution

EUR
European Union - its structure, European Union: history, laws and policies

FAS
Beauty, Cosmetics, Costume, Fashion and Beauty: Fashion, Hairdressing

FOOD
Food and Drink: Cooking, Recipes, Wine, Beer

GAR
Garden Design, Garden Pools, Gardening: House Plants, Landscape Design

HIS
Archaeology, History, Flags, History: Genealogy, Prehistoric Man, Surnames, World Wars

LANG
Dictionaries, Language Courses, Language: Linguistics, Phrase Books, Alphabets

LAW
General Law Books and Books for Law: the Legal Expert, Legal System, Legal Texts

LIT
Essays, Humour, Literary Criticism, Literature: Poetry, Quotations, Writing

LON
London: History of London

MEDIA
Theatre, Dance, Film, Newspapers, Media and Performance: Public Speaking, Radio, TV, TV/Film Scripts, Card Tricks, Conjuring,

MIL
Airforce, Army, Military Aircraft, Military: Military Uniforms, Navy, Regiments, Tanks, Weapons

MUS
Classical Composers, Classical Music: Music, Instruments, Jazz, Opera, Pop Music

MYTH
Myths & Legends, Customs, Myths and Traditions: Christmas Traditions, Proverbs, Superstitions

NAT
Wild Animals, Birds, Insects, Nature: Mammals, Plants, Reptiles

PARA
Astrology, Dreams, Fortune The Paranormal: Telling, Ghosts, Prediction, Supernatural, UFOs

PAR
Pregnancy, Child Development, Parenting: Adoption, Babies’ Names, Cooking for Children, Making Toys, Pre- School Education

PER
Benefits, Conveyancing, Home Personal Finance: Buying, Pensions, Personal Taxation, Tenancy, Wills

PET
Pets: Any animal kept as a pet

PHO
Amateur Video, Photography, Photography: Photographs

POL
Central Government, Elections, Politics and Government: International Politics, Local Government, Political Parties

SCI
Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Science and Industry: Dinosaurs, Electronics, Geology, Mathematics, Mechanics, Physics, Technology, Weather

SOC
Sociology, Class, Etiquette, Society: Housing, Lesbian and Gay Issues, Race Relations, Retirement, Social Work, Weddings, Women

SPO
Athletics, Card Games, Cricket, Sports and Games: Football, Golf, Indoor Games, Self Defence, Water Sports

TRAN
Airlines, Bicycles, Canals, Car Transport: Maintenance, Driving, Highway Code, Railways, Shipping, Trams

TRA
Atlases, Geography, Restaurant Travel and Holidays: Guides, Tourism, Town Plans, Travel Guides

Books in Languages other than English
If you are looking for books written in a language other than English, these are in a separate section with yellow labels, and a three letter code to indicate the language e.g., FRE for French