How can I borrow and return books?
How long can I keep a book and how many can I borrow?
If I return a book late, will I get fined?
What happens, if my books have been recalled?
What happens if someone already has the book I need? Can I reserve it?
Your University ID card is also your Library card. When you have found the books you need, you can borrow them using the self-service machines in the Main Library, Barnes Library and Harding Law Library or take them to a lending desk.
Please note: If you are entitled to extended loans you should always borrow books from a staffed service point.
Book and journals should be returned on or before the due date stamped on the date label inside the book or printed on your self-service receipt. Books may be returned via return boxes, on self service machines or at staffed service points. Except for short loan items, books may be returned at any site.
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How long can I keep a book and how many can I borrow?
There are three main loan periods:
• Short Loan – due back at 11.00 the following day
• Week loan - issued for 7 days
• Long Loan – issued for 28 days for taught students and until the end of June or November for research students and academic staff
The maximum numbers of loans which can be taken by different categories of borrowers are:
| Academic staff | 40 |
| Research students | 25 |
| Taught students | 12 |
| Support staff | 12 |
| External members | 6 |
Please note: Only two Short Loan items may be borrowed at once. External members may only borrroow Short Loan items during the vacation.
If I return a book late, will I get fined?
You will be charged for material which is returned late. An outstanding fine may prevent your from borrowing, renewing or placing reservations.
| Long loan | 30p per day |
| Week loan | 50p per day |
| Recalled items | 50p per day |
| Short loan | 50p per hour or part of an hour |
• As long as no one else has reserved them, you may renew books an unlimited number of times without having to take them into a library.
• To renew online, log into your Library Account, and select which items you want to renew. If the renewal is successful, you will be given a new return date.
• If you are unable to renew online please contact the library for help.
• Please remember that you are solely responsible for keeping track of all materials you borrow from our libraries.
Please note: Short Loan items must be renewed at the library from which they were borrowed and cannot be renewed online.
What happens, if my books have been recalled?
• If you have a book out which another user has reserved, you will receive an email from the library asking you to return it. This may be earlier than the original due date. The new return date will be indicated in this email and is normally 10 days after the reservation was placed.
• Many library users continue to use us during the vacations. You should therefore be aware that books may be recalled from you at any time. Please note: As books may be recalled at any time, you should not take them out of the country.
• If you have a book out which is reserved, you will not be able to renew it.
What happens if someone already has the book I need? Can I reserve it?
• If the book you need is out on loan, you can reserve it via the Library Catalogue.
• When the book is returned, you will be notified by email and the item will be held at the Lending Desk in the Main Library (or at the relevant site library) for 7days.
Please note: Short Loan items cannot be reserved but can be booked to be collected on a particular day. Please ask a member of staff if you wish to book an item.
