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Introduction to the Library: Borrowing and renewing books

Borrowing essentials

Our self-service units are a quick and easy way to borrow and return books whenever the Library is open. 

Undergraduate & taught postgraduate students: 12 items (including a maximum of 6 DVDs).

Research students & staff: 26 items (including a maximum of 6 DVDs).

All lending copies of books and DVDs are available for one week, with a system of automatic renewals. 

Automatic renewals:

Unless the items have been reserved by someone else, your loans will be automatically extended every week for a further 7 days . This will happen up to a maximum of 99 times. If you still need items after 99 consecutive renewals, please bring them to the Library Help Zone.

 Journals, newspapers, items in Special Collections and Reference books (marked with blue tape) cannot be removed from the Library.

  • You need your Student ID Card to borrow from the Library, whether you use the self-service units or come to the Help Zone.
  • Keep your card safe as you are responsible for all items issued on it. If you do lose your card, please report it to Library staff immediately.
  • If you are on a work placement, you can continue to borrow books as long as you can collect and return them on time. The Library is unable to post books to you.
  • Return your items at one of the self-service units.
  • Books may be returned at either campus library, regardless of which library you borrowed them from.
  • Weston Library at Lansdowne Campus is open 24/7. If you are returning books to Talbot Campus when the Library there is closed, please use the secure returns box in the courtyard of The Sir Michael Cobham Library
  • Any item you borrow remains your responsibility until you have correctly and securely returned it.
  • If you post books back to us, we recommend that you obtain proof of postage. Postal addresses are under Contact Us on our library webpages.