Access to Library Books

Library Catalogue

The University of Leicester library catalogue can be accessed, from anywhere in the world.

You do not require a password to search the catalogue, but you do need your Library number and PIN to make full use of all the facilities including:

Requesting books or photocopies by post
Renewing your loans
Viewing your library account

eBooks

Increasingly books are available electronically. These can be found by searching the Library catalogue as you would for a printed book. eBooks are clearly marked and a link in the catalogue record will take you to the full text. You will require your University IT account details to access most eBooks.

Postal Loans

You can borrow up to your normal loan allowance, for which you are responsible for the return postage. Items are issued for a period of six weeks and should be returned or renewed by their due date. Unfortunately, items held in the Reference collection, Short Loan collections and journals are not available as postal loans.

Books required by another user will be recalled and the original loan period shortened. Please note that you are subject to the usual fines and charges for the non-return or loss of books. This includes any books that the courier company is unable to deliver to you, for whatever reason. We will also pass on any charges the courier company may make for returning uncollected or non-delivered books.

To request a postal loan

Step One: Identify the book you wish to see by searching the catalogue.

Step Two: From the book details on the catalogue click the 'Mark' tick box and then click on the book title to select your item. This will transfer the book details through to your postal loan application.

Step Three: Enter your Library no. and PIN in the box in the top right hand corner of the screen. Click on the 'Document Supply' link in the toolbar and select 'Request Postal Loan or Contents Page'. Check the details on the form are correct and then click on the Send button.

If you are unable to use the Library Catalogue to make your request you can complete either of these forms:

If the book you want is not held by the University Library we can try to obtain it for you from another library as an Inter-library Loan, use the 'Request a Book or Thesis Inter-library Loan' button, but these have to be collected in person from the University Library. Your request will be deducted from your personal quota of free Inter-library Loans.

If you are unable to use the Inter-library Loan service you may find the Contents Pages Service helpful.

Renewing your loans

Items can be renewed in one of three ways:

Using the Library Catalogue. Login using your Library number and PIN. Choose 'My Account" from the top menu, then choose "Renew My Loans".
By telephoning the Distance Learning Service on +44 (0)116 252 5051 - Please have your library card number available. If we are able to renew your loans, please write the new due date on the date label.
In person. If you are visiting one of the libraries, take the items to the Issue Desk and ask staff to renew them.

Books and Journals cannot be renewed if they have a hold for another reader. You need to ensure you have allowed sufficient time to return held items, or you may incur a fine. Short loans can only be reissued and renewed in person.

Book Chapters and Print Journals

The Library will supply photocopies of book chapters and individual articles in our printed journals by post. You can request:

Research and Postgraduate level courses: Up to 40 free photocopies (for the duration of the course) of chapters or articles that are held within the University of Leicester Library
Undergraduate level courses: Up to 20 free photocopies (for the duration of the course) of chapters or articles that are held within the University of Leicester Library.

If you wish to exceed these allowances you will need to pay for further requests, see Library fees document.

Under UK copyright law the Library is allowed to copy no more than one chapter of a book or 5% of the whole book, whichever is greater.

How to request a book chapter or photocopy of an article

To use this service you must already have the details of the chapters you require. You may have these from reading lists, citations from other articles or you may have found some references from a range of electronic resources.

The more details you provide, the more likely you are to receive the copy quickly.

Step One: Login to the Library Catalogue and enter your Library no. and PIN. Click on Document Supply, then:

Step Two:Select 'Request Journal Article or Book Chapter', and complete the form as directed.

Step Three:Print the form, as you have to send us a printed and signed copy, and then click on the Send button.

Step Four: Send the signed form by post, fax, or as a scanned copy (this must contain your signature) by email attachment. Contact Document Supply.

Your request will not be processed until we receive your printed and signed copy, as required by UK Copyright law.

If you are unable to use the Library Catalogue to make your request, you can complete, sign and post a printed copy either version of the following forms, confirming that the copy will be used only for private research or study: