Catalogue: frequently asked questions

Why did the Library need a new catalogue?

It has been five years since the last major catalogue update. During this time we have gathered feedback from our readers about the frustrations they were facing in using the catalogue for their research.  

The new catalogue addresses the issues you have raised, as well as introducing a variety of new features that make exploring the Library’s collection easier and more rewarding.

Will this be the last time you update the catalogue? 

No. While the new catalogue is fully functional and should greatly improve your experience in searching the collection, we will continue to add new features and make improvements. 

Check out the roadmap for more information about what features are still to come.  

If there is a particular feature you would like to see in the new catalogue, you can let us know using the ‘Feedback’ function at the top of any page.

Will my old library card and log in information work on the new catalogue? 

Yes. Your username and password from the old catalogue will also work to log into the new catalogue.

I've forgotten my password or login information. What do I do? 

To reset your password from the log in screen in the new catalogue, click the ‘forgot password’ link. Enter your library card number or email address and you will receive an email inviting you to reset your password and log in.  

If you don’t know your library card number or have changed email addresses since registering your account, our Ask a Librarian service can assist you.  

Can I request items in the new catalogue? 

Yes. All items that could be requested in the old catalogue can be requested in the new catalogue for use in the Library. 

If you would like to use original or rare printed material, you will first need to get a Special Collections Library card. 

What happened to my saved searches and request history in the old catalogue? 

You can still access any searches you have previously saved by logging into the old catalogue. Your log in details have not changed.  

Unfortunately, it has not been technically possible to transfer saved searches and lists from the old catalogue into the new one. However, we encourage you to recreate these lists manually in the new catalogue to take advantage of the new and improved MyCatalogue function. 

Can I still access the old catalogue? 

Yes, the old catalogue will remain available for the foreseeable future, until all its features and functionality are available in the new catalogue. We will give you plenty of notice before we remove access to the old catalogue.

I'm having trouble finding the results I want in the new catalogue. What do I do? 

See our guides for helpful tip and tricks on searching in the new catalogue. If you feel you can’t find the results that you’re looking for due to a system error, you can provide feedback in the new catalogue, or request research assistance through our Ask A Librarian service.

I can't find an advanced search option. Why is that? 

We are still working on advanced search functionality that will allow you to conduct deep and specific searches into the collection. We are planning on releasing this feature very soon. The basic search already available will cover most research needs, but if you are having trouble finding something specific, please contact our Ask A Librarian service.

I can't find a link to an online journal or ebook. What do I do?

In the record for the item you're interested in, click the 'How to access this item' in the left navigation bar and you'll be taken to the bottom of the record where you'll find a link to the old catalogue. Once you're in the old catalogue, click on the green 'online access' link. As we continue to develop and improve the new catalogue, direct links to online journals and ebooks within records will be made available.

Does the new catalogue work on all internet browsers and devices? 

The new catalogue works across all devices including desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile phones, and the latest versions of all major operating systems and browsers. For the best experience we recommend using the Chrome browser.  

If you are having trouble accessing the new catalogue on your device, please send through your feedback with information about the device you’re using. 

What is Digital Collections and how is it different to the main catalogue? 

Digital Collections is a great way to quickly browse the millions of images and digital files in our collection. Searching Digital Collections will give you a subset of the Library’s full archive but it does not include comprehensive catalogue information or records that do not have digital files attached. The search functionality in Digital Collections is more limited than our full catalogue, so we recommend using keywords to find what you’re look for. To do a comprehensive search across our whole collection, please use the main catalogue.

Will links to the old catalogue automatically redirect to the new catalogue? 

We are updating links across all Library websites to point to the new catalogue, as well as redirecting links from external sites, but this process will take some time. In the interim, links may still direct you to the old catalogue. We appreciate your patience while we complete the task of updating redirects.

I found something that isn’t working quite right. What do I do? 

If something doesn't load correctly or doesn't seem to be functioning as expected, please refresh the page to see if that fixes the issue. If it is not resolved, please let us know by leaving feedback via the feedback button.   

Are out-of-copyright images available to download?

Yes. Images can be downloaded at the highest resolution available through the new image viewer. To download a digital image, click the ‘Use This’ button in the image viewer to see your download options.

What features are available in the new catalogue and what features are still coming? 

Take a look at our catalogue roadmap to see what is already available and what we’re currently working on.

What happens to my feedback? 

We are capturing all the feedback you send and will review each comment, question or concern. We write about the ways your feedback is helping to improve the catalogue on our blog. We may also get in touch with you directly if we need more information about your individual comments or questions.