There are hundreds of public libraries in Barcelona, but you need to be a member to borrow books. Non-members are free to use books on a reference-only basis. For general information on your nearest public library, you can find contact details on the Ajuntament’s website (www.bcn.cat/biblioteques). Some of the municipal libraries are very small and specialise in certain subjects, such as the Fundació Tàpies library (www.fundaciotapies.org), which specialises in modern and contemporary art. For statistical or administrative information on the city, the Biblioteca General de l’Ajuntament (www.bcn.cat/bibliotecageneral, 93 402 74 68) is useful. A good alternative, however, is to use the university libraries. For non-university members, books are for reference use only. See the Universitat de Barcelona (www.ub.es/biblioteques) website for information on their various libraries. On a general note, you will find that most libraries use an online catalogue, through which you can reserve books and browse all books available.