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Using The Library

Borrowing, Renewing & Returning Books

Student borrowing items using self service machineBorrowing items

All University staff and students can borrow from the Library using their ID card.
ID cards are not transferable and should only be used by the person who owns the card.  

How do I borrow? 

Take your books to the Self-service machines and follow the instructions on the screen to issue them. Please remember that you’re responsible for all items borrowed on your account. 

How long can I borrow items for? 

  • Main stock items - 2 weeks   
  • School Experience items – 6 weeks 
  • Journals – Reference (can only be used inside the Library) 

Note: Some items are reference only - this means they can only be used inside the Library.

How many items may I borrow?  

Students and staff can borrow 30 items in total.

Automatic renewals 

Nearly all the items you borrow will automatically renew up to a total of 18 times. This means you only have to return an item if someone else has reserved it or if it has reached its maximum number of renewals.

You will receive automatic emails from the Library (no-reply@oclc.org) to your university email account, letting you know what has been renewed. Keep an eye on your Junk or Other folder, as sometimes they end up in there.

We no longer charge Library fines for overdue books. Instead, your borrower permissions will be "blocked". When an item is due, you have a 7-day grace period to return it and your account will not be affected. However, if you do not return the item by the end of the 7-day period, we'll stop your borrowing rights until you bring the item(s) back.

Self-renewals

Although many items will renew automatically, you can also renew items yourself online through your Library account, which you can get to through the Library homepage. To learn more about accessing your account and renewing items manually, please see our How to Renew Your Items FAQ.

If you experience any difficulties in returning items, please contact us.

Where do I return items?  

Book returns area in library Returning items at the Library is easy. All you need to do is gently push one item at a time through our returns machines, and they will be removed from your account. Inter library loans can also returned through the returns machines, if you have any queries please speak to staff at our Welcome Desk.  

There's also a book returns bin in the Foyer, next to the Welcome Desk.   

 

How do I reserve an item?

You can reserve an item if there are no copies in the Library that can be borrowed. To reserve and pick up an item: 

  1. Find the item on the UR Library Search and place a reservation by selecting the ‘Reserve’ button, located under 'Access Options' to the right of the item's record.

The 'Reserve button' is located in the 'access options' box to the right of the item record.

  1. When the item is returned, you’ll receive an email to your university email account from the Library saying it is ready for you to collect. 

  1. You can pick up your item from the self-service Reservation Shelf on the upper ground floor of the Library, near the Welcome Desk. To find your reservation, check the reservation slip for your name. You can then borrow the item using the self-service machines.

 Reservation shelves in the Library located on the ground floor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about Library reservations, please see our How to Make and Cancel a Reservation FAQ.

Library Fees

We don't add fines to most overdue items, instead your account will be temporarily blocked so you won't be able to borrow anything else until you can return the item(s) or a replacement charge is paid.

We have also introduced a standard replacement fee of £30.00 for most items. To pay your Library fees, log into your Library Account through the Library homepage and select the 'Fees' tab. 

Library tour

5 Top Tips to get you started with the library

Library Study Essentials Checklist

Whether this is your first year at university or you are a returning student, the checklist below will give you an overview of essential Library information to help your studies:

Checklist tickLibrary card

Your student ID acts as your Library card and is the most important item you need to bring when you visit the Library! Your card allows you to access to the building, borrow items, use the printers and enter study rooms.

Checklist tickLibrary Essentials leaflet

Our Library Essentials leaflet gives you all the basic info at a glance. You can use as reference throughout your studies. Pick up a copy in the Library.

Checklist tickSelf-guided tours

Learn everything you need to know by following the Library trail! (our self-guided tour) Just grab a map from the Library and scan the QR codes around the building.

Checklist tick"Spilling the tea" Library events

Join staff 'spilling the Library tea' on the ground floor during the Library's induction activities.
We will introduce you to key aspects of the Library and our services, with some interactive games and literal tea (and coffee!) on offer.

Checklist tickLibrary FAQs and video tutorials

Type a keyword or a question into our Library FAQs search box to get the information you need. Particularly useful outside the core hours of the Library when staff support isn't readily available!

We also have several video tutorials to view, for guidance on:

Checklist tickSubject Resource Guides

We highly recommend starting with your subject resource guide for your subject. Each subject has their own unique, tailored guide with essential resources and supporting information to get you started!

Checklist tickResource Lists

Resource lists (sometimes called reading lists) are lists of books, articles, and other resources that lecturers prepare for each of their courses. Each module will have a resource list and you can find it either on that module's Moodle page or by searching for your module here.

Checklist tickClick and Collect (Whitelands students service)

For students based at Whitelands, we offer a free Click and Collect service. You can request up to 5 physical books at a time from the Library and we will deliver these to the Whitelands reception area. You can also return your library books via the drop boxes in the same area.

Checklist tickPostgraduate Study

For Postgraduates and Researchers, we have a tailored introductory webpage providing useful guidance to get you started.
There is also a dedicated study space for Postgraduates on the first floor, Room 1.22.

Checklist tickAccessible Library

We have a range of additional services, equipment and support available for users with reasonable adjustments, for details please see our Services for Users with Disabilities guide.

Checklist tickContact Us