Auckland Council Libraries: How to search language collections
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How to search language collections

Auckland Libraries provide collections in many different languages, including languages written in non-Roman script, such as Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Russian. You can use either Romanised characters or non-Roman characters (original script) to search for items in these languages. Romanisation is a system for representing a non-Roman script with the Roman (Latin) alphabet.

Searching in non-Roman characters (original script)

  1. Go to the catalogue.

  2. Enter a title or an author name in non-Roman characters (original script of your language). For example: 村上春樹= Haruki Murakami

    Image of non-Roman characters entered into a search field.

  3. You can also search for a title or an author's name in Romanised characters. For example: Neko o suteru= 猫を棄てる

    Image of Rominised name entered into a search field.

  4. You can also search the same title in non-Roman characters (original script).

    Image of non-Roman characters of a title entered into a search field.

  5. To narrow your search results, go to the Refine by section to select filters such as Format, Age group, Language or Subject.

    Image of filters that can be selected on the left side and search results on the right side.

  6. Click Apply. 

Searching for Chinese materials in both simplified and traditional format

  1. Enter an author name or a title in Chinese characters (non-Roman characters). You can also use Pinyin (Romanised characters) to search for items in Chinese. For example: 金庸

    Image of Chinese characters entered into a search field.

  2. Then select the ‘Language’ filter to narrow your search results to Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese. Please note that the Chinese language filter is currently under construction, and you can only see the language codes [Unknown (CHS)] for Simplified Chinese and [Unknown (CHT)] for Traditional Chinese.

    Two red arrows indicate that Chinese language filter is selected.

  3. You can also select other filters such as Age group, Format or Subject to narrow down your search results.

  4. Click Apply.

Browsing items written in a specific language

  1. Go to the catalogue.

  2. Enter an asterisk * on the search bar. Do not enter a word or phrase, just click the search icon or simply click enter on your keyboard.

    Image of an asterisk entered into a search field.

  3. In the Refine by section, select a language or select All languages. A window will open.

    Image shows filters that can be applied to search, especially languages.

  4. Search for the language and select Confirm OR click the box next to the language and select Confirm.

    Popup window showing language filter options.

  5. You can also select other options such as Format, Age group or Subject to narrow down your search results.

  6. Click Apply.

Books about a specific language

This includes book titles that mention the language. These can be travel books, dictionaries, language guides and more.

  1. Go to the catalogue.

  2. Enter the language in the search bar. For example: French. 

    Image of the word "French" entered into a search field.

  3. In the Refine by section, you can select options to narrow down your search results.

    Image showing "Book, Nonfiction" filter is selected.

  4. Click Apply.

Need help?

If you need further help with these instructions, the staff at your local library can assist you. 

Or, call our dedicated helpdesk on 09 377 0209. The team is available from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturdays.
Auckland Council Libraries:How to search language collections Instructions on how to search for items written in a specific language, or items relating to the language, such as travel books, dictionaries and learning guides.