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How many books may I borrow?

Up to five volumes and one DVD may be borrowed for two weeks in Full Term. Up to ten volumes and one DVD may be borrowed for the vacation. You can return books and borrow further volumes during the vacation but no books may be recalled during this period.

How do I borrow and return books?

There is a self-issue terminal at the Library Desk with instructions. You will need your University Card to borrow items. Library staff will be on hand to help you and to stamp your books with the return date.

You will receive an e-mail notification on the day the book is due. All returns should be handed in to the Library Desk for staff to discharge them and then handed back to you for you to reshelve them.

Can I renew my books?

In Full Term all books and DVDs may be renewed provided there is no "hold" on them.  You can renew books by:

  1. Bringing your card to the Library and renewing at the self-issue terminal.
  2. Logging on to the Library catalogue remotely, clicking on User Services, and then Renew Materials and following the instructions on the screen.
  3. Replying to the Reminder e-mail you receive the day that the books are due.

You cannot renew a book once it is overdue.

What if my books are overdue?

Fines are levied at the rate of 30 pence per item per day. You can pay your fine either in cash at the Library Desk, or have the sum kept on your Library membership record until the end of Term. You cannot borrow books if you have any overdue items.

Someone else has the book I need. Can I reserve it?

You can ask Library staff to place a "hold" on the book, or you can do it yourself by logging on to the Library catalogue remotely, clicking on User Services, and then Request List, then Place Immediate Hold and following the instructions on the screen. A borrower is allowed to keep a book for seven days from the date of issue, but it must then be returned if a hold has been placed on it.

When the book is returned you will be notified by e-mail.

The book I want is not in the Library catalogue.

You can request that the Library purchase a book, either by filling in a form at the Library Desk, or by logging on to the Library catalogue remotely, click on User Services, and then Request List, then New Title Purchase and following the instructions on the screen.

All book requests must be submitted to your Director of Studies who will make the decision whether or not to purchase. Some books may be considered more appropriate for a Departmental or Faculty Library.

A message saying I am "flagged" has started to appear each time I borrow a book.

Bills for photocopying and overdue fines may be paid or may be left on your Library record. The message reminds you that you have unpaid bills. These will be removed and placed on your College bill at the end of each Term. There is no need to pay them immediately unless you wish to, but you must acknowledge this message when it appears or your first book will not be issued.

What classification scheme does the Library use?

Books are arranged according to the Ward Library's own scheme. There is a guide to this at the Library Desk and you may ask staff for help in finding books.