Finding non-fiction books
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 BODY COM CRI FOOD HIS MEDIA MIL MYTH PAR PER POL SCI SPO TRAN TRA Books in Languages other than English
Cateogory code Subjects covered
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
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
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
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 and Drink: Cooking, Recipes, Wine, Beer
GAR
Garden Design, Garden Pools, Gardening: House Plants, Landscape Design
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
Theatre, Dance, Film, Newspapers, Media and Performance: Public Speaking, Radio, TV, TV/Film Scripts, Card Tricks, Conjuring
Airforce, Army, Military Aircraft, Military: Military Uniforms, Navy, Regiments, Tanks, Weapons
MUS
Classical Composers, Classical Music: Music, Instruments, Jazz, Opera, Pop Music
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
Pregnancy, Child Development, Parenting: Adoption, Babies' Names, Cooking for Children, Making Toys, Pre- School Education
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
Central Government, Elections, Politics and Government: International Politics, Local Government, Political Parties
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
Athletics, Card Games, Cricket, Sports and Games: Football, Golf, Indoor Games, Self Defence, Water Sports
Airlines, Bicycles, Canals, Car Transport: Maintenance, Driving, Highway Code, Railways, Shipping, Trams
Atlases, Geography, Restaurant Travel and Holidays: Guides, Tourism, Town Plans, Travel Guides
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. Find out which library has the most books in your required language.
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