The Albert Sloman Library

Borrowing Materials from the Albert Sloman Library

How many books can I borrow?

The number of books a reader may have on loan at any one time and the normal periods of loan are:

• Undergraduates: 15 for two weeks
• Taught Postgraduates: 20 to the end of term
• Research Postgraduates: 25 to the end of term
• Staff: 30 to the end of term

These are maximum periods of loan; please do not keep books any longer than necessary. Fines will be charged if books are not returned when due, at a rate of 50p per day. For Short Loan Collection books the rate of fine is £1 per hour.

How can I renew my books?

Books may be renewed unless required by another reader or if it is more than two weeks overdue.

There are 3 methods to renew your books:

• Books may be renewed for loan at the Circulation Desk.
• Books may be renewed online - see Renewals for more detailed instructions.
• Books may be renewed by telephone on (01206) 873187 at the following times: Term : Monday - Friday 9 am - 9.40 pm / Saturday 9 am - 5.40 pm / Sunday 2 pm - 6.40 pm | Vacation : Monday - Friday 9 am - 5.10 pm.

Renewal will not be possible if…

• the book has been requested by another reader
• the book is more than 2 weeks overdue
• you have fines of over £3
• the book is an inter-library loan
• the book is part of our Short Loan Collection
• books required over the summer period must be brought in to the Library for renewal, they cannot be self-renewed.

How do I check what books I have out on loan and when they are due back?

If you wish to verify what books you have on loan, when they are due, whether they are overdue, etc., use the My library record link and login with your University of Essex username and password.

What is a recalled book?

Any book may be recalled from you, if it is requested by another reader. You will be sent a recall notice by e-mail, giving you five days in term and seven days in vacation from the date of the notice in which to return the book. (If the original due date falls within this period, then the book remains due on the original date.)
An overdue recalled book incurs fines at the rate of £1 per day from the date that the book is due. If you borrow a book which already has another hold on it, the book will be issued for seven days only. Please note that it is your responsibility to read your e-mails regularly.

How do I reserve or recall a book already on loan to another reader?

If the book you require is already on loan, you may reserve it yourself via the online catalogue or you may request Library staff to reserve it for you by filling in one of the cards provided at the Circulation desk. The book will be recalled and, on its return, will be reserved for you for six days. We will let you know by e-mail when it is ready to pick up.
To reserve an item online, click on the 'Request' button located in the navigation bar at the top of the library record, then enter your University username and password and click on submit button. Your request will be sent to the library where it will be processed within 24 hours. See Recalls/Holds for further instructions.
Books in the Short Loan Collection may also be reserved up to a week ahead. See: Short loan bookings.

How can I borrow short loan items?

Items in the Short Loan Collection may be borrowed for 4 hours or overnight from 4 hours before the Library closes (usually due at 10am the next day). If you do not collect the book within 30 minutes of the requested start time it may be borrowed by another reader.

How can I book short loan items?

Items in the Short Loan Collection can be booked through the internet version of the catalogue. You can have up to 10 different bookings at a time but only one booking per title. Please remember that you are only to borrow up to 8 Short Loan books at a time. On the Library catalogue record for the book your require, click on the link 'Book a Short Loan copy'. Enter your University of Essex login. Choose the time you require to book the item for, after checking that it is available at that time via the calendar provided. Click submit. You will then be taken to a confirmation page, click 'OK' and you have finished. See: Step-by-Step guide to Short Loan booking for further details.

How do I return a book?

Items can be returned to the Circulation Desk during the core opening hours and they will be removed from your record immediately. When the Circulation Desk is closed you may return items to the orange book drop box in the Library Foyer. Please do not put DVDs or videos into the box as they may be damaged by heavy items landing on them. These items may be handed to the Exit Desk Attendant. When the Library is closed the blue book drop box at the Library Entrance will be open for returning items; dvds and videos may be placed in here if you are unable to return them in core opening hours. The combination of services means that you can return items 24/7 but putting items in the return boxes will not clear them from your record immediately so please check when the box will next be emptied. Check the notices on the box for more details.

What happens in the vacations?

Borrowing for a vacation is permitted to all registered students and staff of the University. Most books may be borrowed from two weeks before the end of term. Books borrowed for a vacation are due for return by the first Wednesday of the term. Books borrowed over vacation are still subject to recall, you must be prepared to return a book that has been recalled in a vacation period.
N.B. All books must be physically returned to The Library at the end of the summer term for auditing purposes, before they can be borrowed over the summer vacation.

What do I do if I lose my card?

Please report the loss of a card immediately to the Library. The Library can then stop anyone using a card illegally while you get a replacement card. Loss of a registration card must ALSO be reported to the Registry, where a replacement can be obtained.

What happens if I lose or damage a book?

Please report the loss of any book immediately. If it is not recovered, a charge will be made to cover the cost of replacement, plus a sum towards the administrative costs incurred. Similar charges are made for damaged books.