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Help

If you think we should include other information, please send your suggestions by email to lap@nla.gov.au.


How to search LAP

Libraries of the Asia Pacific (LAP) offers users a range of options for accessing information about libraries in the region:

General search

Use the 'General Search' option to find a library using any word or words in the Library Name, Country, Subject, Services, Functions, Special Collections or Library Type fields.

For example: Typing the word 'agriculture' into the General Search box will find all libraries which have that word in any of the above fields in the record. If you enter more than one word, and records whcih contain all the words will be retrieved.

Search Tips

Advanced Search

Search by subject

To find a library by subject, type a subject term into the box, or look at the list of standard subject terms libraries are asked to choose from by clicking on the link to subjects, and enter one of those terms in the search box.

Search by country

To search for libraries in a particular country, use the drop down box Country. Simply highlight the country you want, and all libraries in that country for which LAP has data will be selected.

Search by library name

To search for libraries by any word(s) in the name (or former name), enter the word(s) in the Library Name box. For example, the word Institute in the box will find all libraries which have the word Institute anywhere in the name. These will include Institute of Technology Library, the Forest Research Institute Library, and the SIL International Branch Library, where the former/other name is Summer Institute of Linguistics.

Search by library type

Every library within LAP has been assigned at least one of the following 26 library "types". If you limit your search to one of these types but don't find a particular library, try to think which other category the library may have assigned itself.

  • Agricultural
  • Art
  • Audio-visual
  • Corporate/Business
  • Cultural organisation
  • Defence/Military
  • Government
  • Health/Medical
  • Joint use
  • Law
  • Local/Family history
  • Mobile
  • Music
  • National
  • Parliamentary
  • Public
  • Religious
  • Research
  • School (K-12)
  • Science/Technology
  • Special
  • State
  • TAFE/College
  • Territory
  • Toy
  • University

I can't find an entry for the library

LAP Administration will endeavour to create an entry for libraries which are not yet on LAP but for which you have some details. Please email us with those details, at lap@nla.gov.au.

How library details are displayed

When you search for a library on LAP, results may be presented in two formats:

Summary details display

The results of any LAP search will be presented in a table with a summary of your search statement together, the number of libraries found to match your query and the date of the search.

If only one library is found to match your query, the full directory details for that library will be displayed.

For large lists (ie searches that return more than 50 library entries), numeric ranges 1-20, 21-40, 41-60 etc. are linked above and below the summary result set. The size of result sets may be changed from the default of by replacing the value in the box on the search screen (minimum value of 10, maximum 100 libraries at a time).

For a search which finds more than one library, the following the details will be provided (in a table) for each:

If a library has reported the URL of its Web page a hyperlink will be provided from the name/s in the summary results table. Likewise, if a library has a Web-accessible or telnet catalogue, a direct link will be provided to each within the summary results - look for the red 'Web Catalogue' and 'Telnet Catalogue' icons in the table.

Full directory details of a library

Every library in LAP has a directory entry with as much information as is available.
The red 'More Details' button in the summary search results will take you to the full directory details of a library in the LAP.

A library may include the following information about itself within LAP

How to update your library's details

LAP Administration encourages all libraries to ensure that the information about their library is accurate and up-to-date. It should only take minutes to check and update the information about your Library.

  1. Find your library entry on LAP
  2. Login to update - you'll need a JavaScript and cookie enabled Web-browser
  3. Online update forms [or download, print and post details to LAP Administration]

1. Find your library entry on LAP

The first step in updating your library's entry is to find out what information is currently held in the database.

  1. Search LAP for your Library through the Search option.
  2. From the summary details of your search, select the red [More Details] link to view the full directory details for your library.
  3. Follow the [Edit this record] link at the bottom of your entry to login to update.

2. Login to update

The [Edit this record] link at the bottom of library entry on LAP, takes you to a login screen for online update. You will be asked to provide a password before proceeding any further.

  1. Enter your LAP password which you will have received from the LAP Administration team at the National Library of Australia.

Forgotten, lost or want to change your password? Email lap@nla.gov.au and the LAP managers can tell you what the password is and/or reset it for you. If you cannot use the online forms, you may download and print our form, complete it and send to LAP Administration to update your entry for you.

3. Online update forms

A form with your library's data will be presented. Mandatory fields, where there must be an entry for the form to be accepted, are clearly indicated.with asterisks. Otehr fields may be completed or left blank if not applicable.

Use the [Submit these updated details] button to update.

Update Tip

4. Change password

For security, you may want to change your LAP password. Having found your Library's entry on LAP and reached the login screen:

  1. Enter your LAP password.
  2. Select the 'Change password' option from the drop-down list of update options and [Login].
  3. Follow the instructions on screen - you'll be asked to supply your new password twice. Submit the form to change your password.

Update Tip

You should receive the message "Your password has been changed". If this message does not appear, your changed password has probably not been recorded - try again and if you still have difficulties, report the problem to LAP Administration.

Contacting LAP Administration

At any time, you can contact LAP Administration at the National Library of Australia by email, facsimile or mail.

LAP Administration can help you (for example, many Asia-Pacific libraries who are not yet in a position to use the online update facilities to change their library details on LAP).

Libraries of the Asia Pacific
Executive Support Branch
National Library of Australia
CANBERRA ACT 2600
telephone: +61 2 6262 1481
fax: +61 2 6273 2545
email: lap@nla.gov.au

Please contact us if you or your library:

  • want to send us some feedback about the LAP site or service;
  • can't, or need help to, update an entry online;
  • need a LAP password reset;
  • want to add or delete a library from LAP;
  • need any other questions about LAP answered.

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Last updated Wednesday 21-Feb-2007
http://www.nla.gov.au//lap/help.html