About this list, and How to find the books
All the books listed here were available from, or on order for, Westminster Libraries at the time of production. It does not include every book written by all of the authors listed. Books that are not in stock and out of print are excluded, as are some earlier works by more prolific authors. Books for children and non-fiction works other than autobiography and poetry are also excluded.
Arrangement of entries
Fiction books are sorted into six main categories, as follows:
- African writing - and stories set in Africa
- Caribbean writing - past and present
- Classic American writing (mostly written pre-1950).
- Modern American writing (A-K and L-Z)
- Modern British writing
- Slavery & the Slave Trade
Within these categories, books are listed in order of author's surnames, then in order of title.
| Sample Entry | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Adebayo, Diran [UK] | Author's name [nationality] |
| Some kind of black [---] | Title ("A", "The" do not affect order) [Library category if applicable] |
| Virago, 1996/Abacus, 1997 | Publisher, date/ second publisher, date |
| Spoken Word | Spoken Word cassette or CD available |
Information books
For example biography and poetry are in order of category, then as above. Library category codes and class numbers are given to indicate shelf location.
| Sample Entry | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Angelou, Maya [USA] | Author's name [nationality] |
| Even the stars look lonesome | Title ("A", "The" do not affect order) |
| [920 Angelou BIOG] | Class number, category code |
| Virago 1998/9 | Publisher, date/ second publisher, date |
How to find the books
You can find which libraries have copies of each of the books by:
- Searching our library catalogue online or in any Westminster library
- Asking the library staff who will be pleased to help you.
Fiction books are shelved in alphabetical order of authors' surnames. Books with category codes eg. CRIme have separate sequences.
Books with ZONE category are written for teenagers and are shelved in the ZONE sections
Information books
These are shelved in order of category, e.g.. BIOGraphy, then by class number e.g.. 920. Please note that biographies/autobiographies are then arranged in surname order of the person written about e.g.. 920 Angelou
If you cannot find the book you want you may reserve it. Staff will be pleased to show you how to do this.
Spoken Word
These items are on separate shelves and are shelved in alphabetical order of authors' surnames for fiction, non-fiction being in class number order. Note that some are full-length versions (unabridged) while others are abridged. Older titles are mainly on cassette, but CD versions are increasingly becoming available.
Some titles are also available in a Large Print version (details not included in this booklist).
Some Westminster Libraries have a selection of their Black Writing titles (especially fiction) displayed on a separate Black Writing stand or shelves for easy selection. Libraries that have such a selection include: Maida Vale, Paddington, Pimlico and Queen's Park.
Note that other titles may be available in these libraries at shelf locations as above.
Was this useful?
Whatever your interest, Westminster City Council welcomes and encourages you to get in touch with suggestions for improvements to the site. Please tell us how useful this page was to you.
