How does the catalogue work?
Stress 'ca-TA-lo-go'. 'Funziona' = fun-TSIO-na.
Ask this at the information desk when you're unfamiliar with the library's search system. Most Italian libraries have switched from card catalogues to digital OPAC systems.
'Catalogo' = catalogue. 'Come funziona' = how does it work. Italian libraries typically use OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue). Search by: 'titolo' (title), 'autore' (author), 'soggetto' (subject), 'ISBN', 'anno' (year). 'Collocazione' = call number (where the book is physically located).
Come si cerca un libro nel sistema?
How do you search for a book in the system?
Alternative phrasing.
Posso cercare per argomento?
Can I search by subject?
Subject search.
Cosa significa questa sigla?
What does this code mean?
Understanding call numbers.
Italy's national library catalogue 'SBN' (Servizio Bibliotecario Nazionale) connects over 5,000 Italian libraries and their collections. Accessible at catalogo.sbn.it, it allows Italians to search millions of titles across the national network. The 'SBN' system was established in 1985 and is one of the most comprehensive national library networks in Europe.