Find a Book
Find a book
Got a tricky question?
AskCymru is a free online service that enables you to ask a trained
librarian to find the answer for you.
Looking for a newspaper article?
Newsbank allows you to search popular local and national newspapers for past and present articles.
Find a Book - Frequently Asked Questions
As we continue to build the Find a Book service we'll be updating this list of Frequently Asked Questions. Please check the list below before contacting us.
Why can't I get more than x results?
- Some catalogues are limited to a certain number of results (often 500 or 1000). If you find that you're hitting these limits you might want to try searching for more specific terms.
Why's it slow today?
- Wouldn't you get tired if you had to visit every library in Wales? Seriously though, if you choose to search all the catalogues then the system takes some time to collect and process the information. We're working hard to cut down the response rate but if the local catalogue is busy there's very little we can do. Why not try searching only a few catalogues or those most local to you?
I think I've broken it!
- It's OK - we did mention it's in beta right? Please let us know what happened via our contact page.
How does this work?
- Find a Book is powered by WebFeat® and works by entering your search term into all of the online catalogues you've selected. Once it gets the results it reworks them into the list you see in the Find a Book interface. For more information about WebFeat® and the technology behind the search visit www.webfeat.org
Borrowing an Item
Do I need to be a member of a library to borrow an item?
- Yes. You will need to provide your library membership details in order to borrow an item. If you are not already a member of a library in Wales, you can register here. If you are under 16 years old, please ask your parent or guardian to request the item you wish to borrow on your behalf.
Are all items available for me to borrow?
- Your library will make every effort to fulfil your request however some items are not necessarily available for borrowing at home. In these cases you will be advised on how best to get access to these items.
How and when do I get the item I wish to borrow?
- Requesting an item through the Find a Book service is exactly the same as making a request in person at your public library. After making your request, your library will contact you within 1 working week with further information. The item you wish to borrow will be made available for you to pick up from your library at the earliest opportunity, but please note that some items may be impossible to source and in such cases you will be advised on how best to get access to these resources.
Will I have to pay to borrow an item?
- You will be notified of any fees required for a request (if any) before being charged. For more information on lending policies and fees, please contact the library where you are a member.

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