To find out if a specific book is in the Library you just need to check the Enterprise catalogue (search box below). This will show you where the book is located (which floor and its location number - known as the 'Call Number'). Enter the author's surname and one or two words from the title:
For example: johnston disability theatre
You can also search Enterprise for a topic, to find related books.
Finding printed books and e-books
Search the Enterprise catalogue to find specific books or books on a topic.
Finding online book chapters
To find online book chapters on a topic search the Summon discovery service:
eBook platforms
The Library subscribes to a wide range of ebook platforms, here are just a few:
Full-text of over 4500 titles in the humanities. Most titles are listed on Enterprise.
Full-text access to books and journals published by Cambridge University Press, covered by our subscriptions.
A collection of e-books and related digital content in all subjects.
If the link above doesn't work, please use this alternative link.
A growing collection of books published by Taylor & Francis in all subject areas.
FileOpen Acrobat Reader plug-in needed. The first time a user attempts to read a DRM-protected book, they will be automatically sent to the FileOpen website to install the plug-in. It may take a few minutes to download and open an e-book.
Examples of relevant e-books we hold in the Library. Many are available in print as well. If you would like to know more about making effective use of our e-books, see our guide:
Access for people with disabilities to art museums 727.7087
Access for people with disabilities to museums 727.600087
Barrier-free design (architecture) 728.087
Child psychiatry 618.9289
Children with mental disorders 618.9285 (and numbers following)
Disability (Law) 347.1132
Disabled students in higher education 371.90474
Employment 331.59
Learning/developmental disabilities 362.3
Mental health laws 347.1132
Mental illness 362.2
People with disabilities and the performing arts 792.087
People with disabilities in mass media 301.243
People with disabilities in motion pictures 791.436561
People with disabilities in the arts 704.087
Physical disabilities 362.4 (includes human rights)
Psychiatry 616.89
Special educational needs (general) 371.9 (physical disabilities = 371.91; visually impaired = 371.911; deaf and hard of hearing = 371.912; speech impairment = 371.914; mental disabilities = 371.92; learning disabilities = 371.926)
Speech impediments 616.855
The Library uses the Library of Congress and the Dewey Decimal classification schemes to catalogue and classify its stock and we are bound by the rules and subject headings outlined in these. However, we acknowledge that some of the terminology used in these schemes may not always accurately reflect current cultural references.
Just as the field of disability research is evolving, library classification schemes are beginning to as well, though there is more work to be done. If you would like to know more about this topic, you might find the following recent articles of interest:
Koford, A. 2014, "How Disability Studies Scholars Interact with Subject Headings", Cataloging and Classification Quarterly, vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 388-411.
Sahadath, C. 2013, "Classifying the Margins: Using Alternative Classification Schemes to Empower Diverse and Marginalized Users", Feliciter, vol. 59, no. 3, pp. 15-17.
Our Inter-Library Loans service can get books not held at Reading from other libraries (usually from the British Library).
For more information see our webpages:
If you are unable to view these videos on YouTube they are also available on YuJa via the links below (University login required):
Help the Library to diversify ts collections. If there are disability related titles you would like to see in the Library collection to help support your research, please complete this form:
Disability As Diversity in Higher Education by 
Eight performance texts about disability by 
Disability and Dissensus: Strategies of Disability Representation and Inclusion in Contemporary Culture by 
(M)othering Labeled Children by 
Universal Design in Higher Education, 2nd ed by The following subject headings provide links to just some of the titles held in the Library catalogue relating to these specific areas:
