Borrowing from the Library
The number of items you can borrow from the library depends on your user status:
| User Status | Number of Items |
|---|---|
| Undergraduates (including Language and Learning students) | 15 items |
| Postgraduate (taught) | 25 items |
| Postgraduates (research) | 40 items |
| Staff | 60 items |
| Distance Learning Students | 15 items (standard loans only) |
| Lifelong Learning Students | 15 items |
| Associates | 10 items (standard loans only) |
| Sconul Access | 10 items (standard loans only) |
| Aberystwyth/Bangor borrowing scheme | 10 items (standard loans only) |
| GO Wales borrowing scheme | 10 items (standard loans only) |
Borrowing items
You can borrow items from the University's Libraries using your Aber Card. You can use the self-issue machines, located in each library or visit the issue desk. The self-issue machines are quick and easy to use; full instructions are available next to each machine and you will need your Aber card card and PIN number.
Special borrowing arrangements are made for Distance Learning students and PGCE students on placement.
Loan periods
| Loan Status or Collection Name | Length of Loan | Description | Vacation Loan | Renewal | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Loan | 14 days *see note |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos | 1 day | Blue strip on spine and date label | No | No | No |
| Journals (Periodicals) | Not For Loan | - | - | - | |
| Three Day Loan (including DVDs) | 3 days | Red strip on spine and pink date label | Yes | Yes Four times only |
Yes |
| Short Loan Collection (Books) | 10 hours | Yellow strip on spine and date label | No | No | No |
| Distance Learning Collection | 4 weeks for distance learning students 1 day for all other users |
Green strip on spine | No | Yes | Yes |
| Theses | Not for loan | May be read in Short Loan area only | No | ||
| Quick Reference Collection | Not for loan | May be read in the Library | - | - | No |
*NOTE Staff and research postgraduates have a longer standard loan period of six months, but items are subject to recall. This means that if another user requests the item the due date will change to within the next four days. You will be emailed to advise that this has happened and you will need to return the item by the new date. Fines charged on recalled items not returned by the new due date are higher - see Fines
Renewing loans
You can renew your books:
- online through Primo - the library catalogue: full instructions can be found here
- via the Self-Issue machines - instructions are available next to the machine. You will need your Aber Card and Library PIN
- at the Enquiry Desk in the Hugh Owen Library and Issue Desks at the Thomas Parry and Physical Sciences libraries.
Your account must be free from fines and overdue books in order to renew your loans.
If another user has placed a reservation on an item, you will not be able to renew it and if you do not return it on time you will pay an enhanced fine - see fines information
Returning loans
Your loans must be returned to the library from which they were borrowed.
- Hugh Owen Library - please use the Book Return machine on Level D. You can use this to return all items borrowed from the Hugh Owen Library, except Videos which should be returned at the desk. When the library is closed, please use the Book Return box just outside the library.
- Other libraries - please hand in materials to the staff at the Issue Counter.
- If you are unable to return your books in person to the library, please contact us as soon as possible.
Reservations
If an item you needs is out on loan, you can reserve it so that when it is returned it is held at the Enquiry Desk for three days for you to collect. You will be emailed to let you know the item is waiting for you.
Instructions on how to make reservations can be found here
You can check the status of your reservations by logging in to My Account in Primo - the library catalogue
Fines
Fines are charged if you do not return your library loans by the due date. For full information on fines and how to pay them, please see this page
Lost items
- If you lose an item that you have out on loan please let the Enquiry Desk staff know as soon as possible.
- Replacement costs charged will include a sum of £5.00 for each book to cover administration and processing costs incurred by the Library, plus the cost of replacing the book. *£25 maximum administation charge per invoice.
- You will also still be liable to pay overdue fines.
- Invoices are raised after the customer has received 5 overdue reminders.
- Once an invoice for these costs has been raised you will not be able to borrow any more books until it has been paid.
- Once an invoice has been raised it becomes a University debt and must be paid in full before you can move to the next year of your course, or before you graduate.
- Should the book subsequently be found and returned to the library, the replacement cost will be refunded (but not the administration charge*), and you will also still be liable to pay overdue fines.
* The Administration Charge covers the work incurred which is:
- Raising an invoice
- Amending the lost item on the library catalogue
- Amending the customer's library record and entering note on customer's record
- Dealing with large number of queries, and if items are returned, issuing credit notes. Liaising with Finance Office as appropriate
- If not returned :
- Order replacement
- Process replacement