Borrowing from the Library

How do I join the Library?

Your University student/staff card is also your Library card. Undergraduates and taught postgraduate students are automatically registered at the start of their course. Staff and researchers need to bring their card to the Library and register in person to activate their accounts.

How do I borrow items?

Once you have chosen the items you wish to borrow, you should issue them on one of the self service machines, situated on all three levels of the Library. For a short video of how to use these machines, go to the self service page. We will also be happy to give you a demonstration if you ask at one of the desks.

How many items can I borrow?

 
 
Undergraduate
Up to 15 items
Postgraduate/Undergraduate finalist
Up to 20 items
Postgraduate Research & Staff
Up to 30 items

library foyer

As part of their allowance all categories of borrower may borrow 4 High Demand items.

How long can I borrow books for?

There are three main loan categories: long loan, week loan and high demand.

Undergraduates/postgraduates:

Long loan items have no spine label and can be borrowed for 4 weeks at a time.

One week loans have a green spine label and can be borrowed for 7 days.

High Demand loans are marked in yellow on their spine and are located in a separate area on Level 3. These items have bookable loan slots from 2.30pm to 2.30pm the next day (or Monday if borrowed on a Friday).

Week and long loan items can be renewed online up to 5 times - providing no one else has requested them in the meantime. High demand books cannot be renewed without first returning the book in the high demand section.

Part-time/distance learners and DANs registered students:

Users in these two categories can borrow long loan items for 6 weeks and week loan items for two weeks. All items can still be recalled as usual.

Staff & researchers:

Long loans will be due back three times a year (unless recalled): end of summer vacation; end of semester one and just after semester two.

Week loans will be issued as normal.

Long loans can be renewed once and week loans five times (providing they have not been requested).

N.B. Loan periods for all borrowers can be adjusted towards the end of terms and during vacations.

Recalls and reservations

Please be aware that any of your books can be recalled. You will receive an email from us to warn you that the item has been recalled. You have 7 days from the date printed on the email to return the item for long loan items. Week loan items that have been requested will not be renewable and should be returned according to the date in the email. Check the email carefully to ensure you are returning the correct title.

The recall system works for you as well. If you reserve an item, you can expect to receive it in about 7 to 10 days, unless it is in very heavy demand.

How do I access Library Catalogue Plus?

You can log onto Library Catalogue Plus and check the location of Library stock anywhere you have access to the internet.

There are also various PCs in the Library which are reserved just for looking at Library Catalogue Plus if you are not able to find a free PC.

How do I check my loans?

If you need to remind yourself which items you have currently out on loan, use the My Account option on Library Catalogue Plus. You will need to sign in using your username and password (the same one you use to access your emails) and choose My Account .

If you are not sure what your username and passwords are you can ask at one of the enquiry desks in the Library or at the IT Services helpdesk in Haslegrave, providing you have your student/staff card with you.

You can also check your account on the self service machines in the Library .

How do I renew my books?

To renew the items you have out on loan, select My Account (as above) and then click on Loans. A list of all the items you have out on loan will be displayed. You can renew one item at a time by selecting the item and following the instructions. If the system is unable to renew an item it will inform you of the details of the book so that you can return it to the Library.

There is a short video of how to do this online.

You must always bring High Demand Loans to the Library on the due date. If they have been booked for that day by another reader, you will not be able to renew them. They must be returned on the self service machine in the High Demand section before 2:30pm.

High Demand books cannot be renewed by telephone. Long Loan items may only be renewed by telephone if you are rarely in Loughborough (see the concessions outlined below).

How can I request items?

Any Long or One Week Loan item which is out on loan to another reader may be requested on Library Catalogue Plus by selecting the blue Request option to the right hand side of the availability tab on the catalogue record. Again, you will be need to be signed in with your username and password to request items. This will then take you to another screen, where you need to click on the orange request button again.At the end of a successful transaction, the screen will display a yellow box with the message:

Action Succeeded .

You can book a High Demand item for any particular day (Mon-Fri) up to a week in advance, whether it is currently on loan or not, by selecting the blue Request High Demand option to the right of the catalogue record, selecting the date you would like to request to item, clicking in the select time slot circle and clicking on the orange request button. When requesting High Demand items, please remember to log-in before you begin your search.

How do I check my requests?

You can see if your requested items have arrived by using the My Account option on Library Catalogue Plus, then choosing Requests.

If a reservation is marked On Hold, the item is waiting at the main Customer Services Desk for collection. It is held for three working days.

How can I cancel reservations?

If you no longer need a reserved item, you should cancel your request in the Requests screen of My Account. Click cancel on the far right hand side of the title you would like to delete. N.B. You will not be able to cancel a request if the item is already on hold for you.

How do I return items on my account?

While the Library is open, items should be returned on the self service machines on level 3 of the Library, or in case of further queries, to the Desk itself. If you are not sure how to use the machines to return items, please ask for a demonstration at the Customer Services Desks or watch the short video on the Self Service page.

If you cannot get to the Library during opening hours, there is a return slot to the left hand side of the main Library doors. Your books will be discharged at the beginning of the next working day.

self service machine

What is the charge for overdue items?

  1. Long Loan Books

    Fines of 50p per day shall be levied on any borrower returning an item late. Books required by another reader will be recalled and must be returned within 7 days of the recall date. Failure to do so will result in fines being charged at a rate of 50p per day

  2. One Week Loan Books

    Fines of 50p per day shall be levied on any borrower returning an item late.

  3. Bound volumes of periodicals and other items issued for 48 hours only

    Fines of 50p per day shall be levied on any borrower returning an item late.

  4. High Demand Collection:

    The following scale of fines shall apply in the case of items returned late to the High Demand Collection.

    Per hour or part thereof - 50p per hour.
  5. Inter-Library Loans:

    Items not returned within two days of date due or recall shall be subject to fines of 50p per day.

  6. If no response is made to a final recall or overdue notice, a bill shall be sent to the borrower which shall include a non-refundable charge of £20 to meet Finance Office costs.
  7. If a lost, stolen or damaged item has to be replaced, a handling charge of £10 will also be added to the cost of the book.
  8. or any other misdemeanour relating to the Library the Librarian is empowered to levy a fine of up to £200 plus any costs incurred.

You must ensure that any outstanding charges on your record remain below £5.00. You may not continue to borrow from the Library if your outstanding charges exceed this level.

What to do....

If you change your address

You should inform the Library as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to ensure that we can contact you quickly about your loans and reservations.

If you lose your card

You should inform the Library as soon as possible to ensure that we can block your account.

If you are taken ill, or are absent on compassionate grounds

Make sure that if you have a High Demand item to return, a friend returns this for you as soon as possible. In case of difficulties, ask someone to telephone the Customer Services Desk, and arrange to return the item by post or internal mail. Recalled loans can also be posted back to the Library.

If you are away on placement

You can still borrow from the Library, as long as the Student Records Office has validated your student card for the current year. Remember that you will need to post back to us any items which are recalled from you.

If you are on leave of absence

You may still borrow from the Library if your Department is prepared to authorise this. Ask for one of the authorization forms at the Customer Services Desk. A fee is charged for use of the Library during your leave period.

During vacations

You are able to borrow books during the vacation periods - books will be issued until the start of the following term. We continue to send all Library emails to your Loughborough email address during the vacations. Please monitor this account to ensure you are aware of any messages we may send. Any items which are recalled from you over the vacation must be posted back to the Library Issue Desk.

Under the Sconul Access scheme, you are allowed to use the Library of any other University during the vacations for reference only. Remember to take your Loughborough student card with you. Double check with the Library that you would like to visit whether there are any special requirements before you make the trip, to avoid potential disappointment.

Evenings and weekends

The Customer Services Desks are staffed by a small team until 10pm on weekdays, and throughout opening hours on Saturday and Sunday, except during vacations. Evening and Weekend staff will be able to help you with enquiries about loans, reservations and High Demand bookings.

The Supervisor on duty will be able to help with enquiries about most Library services; however, if you need detailed assistance with electronic services or subject enquiries, please enquire with Library staff during office hours or use Ask a Librarian

For any further information regarding loans or reservations, please contact staff of the Customer Services Team: Customer Services Manager 01509 222353, Senior Library Assistant 01509 222358.