The catalogue says a book is available, but I can’t find it on the shelf
Sometimes it is true that a book is “missing”, and you may request a Missing Books form (available from the Librarian’s Office). But these are the most common reasons for not finding a book on the shelf:
- The book is on loan (status information is available on the catalogue).
- You are looking on the Main Shelves, but the book is a Pamphlet or a Quarto (oversize) and therefore shelved at another location.
- The book is on one of the re-shelving trolleys. When a book is discharged, it is placed on one of two trolleys to await re-shelving. Books on the re-shelving trolleys are available for loan.
Am I allowed to leave books on a desk to come back to?
The short answer is: within reason. Clearly if you pop out for a short break it is unreasonable for you to have to remove all your books, but bear in mind that other library users may wish to use your study space. The rule of thumb is a) to leave the study space tidy, and b) to leave a note with your name and today’s date and an indication of when you will be returning. The librarian reserves the right to clear from desks all books which are not marked as being on loan. All personal property is left at your own risk.
It irritates me when there are people talking in the library
Understandably. While we don’t have a rule of silence in the library, we do expect people to respect the need of other library users for a quiet space to study. If you are being disturbed, you are quite entitled to ask those concerned to have their conversation elsewhere, or to ask the librarian to do so for you. If you really need to have your phone switched on so that you are contactable in case of emergency, it is best to have it on ‘vibrate’ mode, and you should take it outside the library promptly if you need to speak.
Can I bring food or drink into the library?
No food. Water in a sealed container (flask, bottle, or mug with a lid) is permitted, but no open liquids, no tea, no coffee, no soft drinks – only water.
Why can’t I discharge my own books?
When you return books to the Returns Box, they will remain on your borrower record until the librarian (or a student volunteer) discharges them. But this will not prevent you from borrowing more books. The system allows you to exceed your borrowing limit (you will need to watch the screen carefully and acknowledge the messages which pop up). As elsewhere, the library operates on the basis of trust.
Can I borrow a book that is in the Returns Box?
A book in the Returns Box has not been discharged and is therefore not available for loan. This may be frustrating if the librarian is not available to discharge the book for you, and for this reason we have student volunteers who are permitted to discharge books on the librarian’s behalf.
I’m so sorry, this book is overdue, how much do I owe you?
There are no fines for overdue books. When a book becomes overdue, you have six days “grace” during which you can continue to borrow and renew books, but after seven days your borrower record will become blocked and you will have to ask the librarian to sort it out for you. Notifications of overdue books are sent out by email on a weekly basis.
