Library information
Borrowing books
Books are checked out by Library staff, or at the self-issue terminal close to the Library exit, using your University Library card. Instructions are available on-screen.
Returning books
Return all books to Library staff at the reception desk. If you wish to return a book when the Library is closed, please post it into the drop-box behind the front door.
Checking your borrower record
To check which books you have out on loan:
- Go to the online catalogue
- Click on 'Your Account'
- Enter your barcode and surname, then click on 'Login'
Details of which books you have on loan, as well as any requests you may have made, will be displayed.
Renewals
Graduates and senior members may renew books – in person, by telephone or email – provided that another user has not requested the item. Undergraduates may not renew books.
Recalls
All requests for recalls should be made at the Library Desk. You will be notified by email or letter when an item has been returned, and it will be held for you behind the Library Desk
Borrowing regulations
The following material can be borrowed:
- Open shelf books A–Y
- Store books (post-1900, at discretion of staff)
- Loan Folders (12.30pm to 10.30am next day)
- Reserve Books (4pm to 10.30am next day)
- Reserve Folders (4pm to 10.30am next day)
Material which cannot be borrowed includes:
- Reference books
- Ref Files
- Ref Only books
- Periodicals (bound and unbound)
- Store books (pre-1900)
- Curator's Room books
- Room 10 and Seminar Room 2 books
Undergraduates
During term undergraduates may borrow up to four books or folders for overnight loan only, 12.30 to 10.30 next day (at weekends from Friday evening to Monday morning). Reserve Books and Folders can only go out from 4pm to 10.30 next day. In order to ensure that books are available for students, all material on loan must be returned by 10.30am. A record of students who have had overdue books will be kept each day, and after three offences, overnight borrowing will be suspended for one week.
If a Part II student in HPS requires a book for more than one night for their dissertation then they should apply to the Librarian. A letter or email of support from their dissertation supervisor will be required. One or two books may be borrowed for a week for work on disserations, in addition to the usual allowance of four books.
In the vacations undergraduates may take out up to four items from the open shelf collections. Reserve books may not be borrowed.
Graduates, staff and senior members
Graduates, staff and senior members of the University may borrow up to ten books for a period of three weeks. Graduates are requested to stamp their books with the return date using the stamp and labels provided at the self-issue terminal. Reserve books are subject to the normal overnight borrowing restrictions.