You can use Library Search, available either in the Library on stand-alone PCs or online via the Library's website, to search for a variety of materials; you might find books, eBooks, journals and media sources in your results list. The print books may be located at any of our library sites and you can reserve books to be sent to the site that's most convenient for you.
The results screens will look like this, showing you how many copies we have and which library they are located at.
Once you have found the books you need and want to borrow, you use the Self Issue machines close to the library exit. They have on-screen instructions and staff will help you if you are unsure. You can watch the short video at the bottom of the page for guidance too.
Books For You - tell us which books you want in the Library
If you know about a book that we don't have in the library, you can request books and eBooks for the library to purchase through our Books For You service. Complete the form and leave the rest to us.
If you want to borrow a book that is on loan to someone else or is held at another of our Libraries, you can place a reservation via Library Search.
If the book is on the shelf, our staff will find it and send it on to your choice of collection site.
If the book is currently on loan, the auto-renewal process will end and the borrower will be reminded by email to return the book.
Note: at certain time periods or with particularly popular titles, there may be a queue of reservations. If the queue reaches five people on the waiting list we will automatically purchase an eBook (if not already available) or we will buy extra print copies.
If we do not have a particular book you want, (either print or electronic), we can usually obtain it for you using our inter library loans service from the British Library Document Supply Centre.
You can find the online request form and more information about how to request, receive and open your Inter library loans on the inter-library loan page.