A library catalogue is an organised and searchable collection of records of every item in a library. The catalogue will point you to the location of a particular source, or group of sources, that the library owns or has paid access to on your topic. Since every library collection is unique, every catalogue is also unique. Most online catalogues have extensive 'help' screens - you should always familiarise yourself with the search interface of the catalogue you are using.

The UNSW Library's catalogue is known as the LRD - Library Resources Database. You can access the LRD via the UNSW Library Web site. You will need to use your Student Number and UniPass to access your borrower record and to renew and reserve items.
In Modules 2 and 3 we will look more closely at the LRD.

Use the LRD:

• to find out what items the UNSW Library owns on your topic and where they are located, either on-line (on the Web) or in the building
• to determine loan status of items and to reserve books which are on loan
• to access full-text e-journals once you have a citation. You can also do this with Sirius - UNSW Library Gateway to Electronic Resources
• to access MyCourse@UNSW Library - search or browse for Reserve materials, UNSW exam papers, study kits or lecture cassettes located in Reserve Services, in print or full text electronic