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Searching tips

This search works in a similar way to Google. Search for specific words or "phrases", optionally excluding others. Here are some searching examples:
apple banana (default)Finds records that contain both words, anywhere and in any order. This is the default "AND" search.
apple AND bananaSame as above. Finds records that containboth words, anywhere and in any order. However, there is no need to include "AND" operator between words.
apple* (default)Finds "apple", "apples", "applesauce", and "applet". There is no need to append the " * " wild-card suffix in your searches.
"some words"Wrapping your search words in quotation marks treats them as an entire phrase. Finds records that contain "some words of wisdom", but not "some strange words".
apple OR juiceFinds records that contain either of these words, or both. Using the "OR" operator (must be in CAPITALS) will return more results than the default "AND" search.
apple -macintoshOptionally exclude certain words. Finds records with "apple" but not "macintosh".
apple NOT macintoshSame as using "-" (must be in CAPTIALS), finds records with "apple" but NOT "macintosh".

Note: There are several commonly words that will be ignored in a search. These words are called "Stop Words" and offer little or no benefit to a search. Stop words include "A", "An", "And", "For", "Has", "He, "Her", The", "Them", etc.

Barcode Lookup

Enter or scan the item's barcode label to lookup the full details of the item. For books, the barcode label is normally located on the inside of the front cover.

Note: This is not the same as the ISBN number on the book's back cover!

Tavistock Subscription Library

  • Calendar

    In the Guildhall Square Reading Room unless stated differently

    April

    • 1   Tue    New door code for paid-up members only
    • 10 Thu    Library members' writing group 2-4
    • 11 Fri      Guildhall Square Library OPEN to all-comers 10-12 FREE
    • 14 Mon   TSL Trustees 18:30 
    • 14 Mon   AGM 19:30 followed by a museum tour with manager Lesley Holliday
    • 18 Fri      Guildhall Square Library OPEN to all-comers 10-12 FREE
    • 25 Fri      Guildhall Square Library OPEN to all-comers 10-12 FREE
    • 26 Sat     Discovery Day at the Guildhall - FREE but you must register
    • 26 Sat     Guildhall Square Library OPEN to all-comers FREE 10-4

  • Court Gate, Guildhall Square, PL19 0AE

    A heritage library holding extensive collections covering Tavistock, Dartmoor & Tamar Valley subjects and writers; subscribing members (£16 p.a.) 24/7 access; public access most Fridays 10-12 and events (see calendar above).

    From the menu at the top of the page, browse the library catalogue or search for something specific.  shows online content to be discovered. If you want to see everything, browse location Reading Room - but be patient while ~3000 titles are loaded. Want more information? Then Contact the Library (below). 

    An atmospheric library, now a charity, formed by four young men, first as a 1796 literary club then instituted as a public library in 1799. Supported by many townspeople including the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, in 1830 it moved to the purpose-built Court Gate and has been there ever since.  

    Please note: We recognise that our catalogue contains some terms which are offensive, and some whose meaning has changed over time. Such terms exist within some original records and have been retained to inform users of the nature and content of the sources concerned. They do not reflect the views of Tavistock Subscription Library. We apologise for any offence that our inclusion of these words may cause.

  • Other useful information

    Members' private Facebook group

    Subscription Library Facebook page

    eBay for donated local-interest books selling for TSL funds

    TSL Q1 2025 Reading room catalogue  

    Bookmark 8

    Bookmark 9

    Bookmark 10

Contact the Library

Use this form to contact the library. Please note as at Feb 2025, we will have received your message even if it says 'rejected'. We'll be in touch usually within 24 hours.

A compendium of diaries ...
Showing 10 of 12 new titles
Useful Links

Tavistock at the top, remainder alphabetical - tell us about a link we've missed