Borrowing
Most of the material in our collections including books, DVDs, non-current journals and audio CDs are available for loan to members of Lancaster University.
Items are borrowed, renewed and returned using the self-service machines in the Library entrance, in the High Demand Collection and on B floor.
You may also request and renew items through the library Catalogue.
Loan categories
- Standard Loan - rolling loan of approx. 5 weeks (10 weeks for staff). These items normally have a white date label.
- 7 Day Loan - loan period of 1 week, or for a vacation (for all library users). These items normally have a yellow date label.
- High Demand - Bookable loan (bookable via library catalogue) & 24 hour rolling loan (non bookable). For more information on how to use High Demand please see our guide.
Fines and other charges may be levied against materials that are overdue.
Check the current fines rates.
Books on loan are subject to recall if requested by other users. Recalled items must be returned within one week during term-time, within two weeks during the Summer vacation.
You can borrow books up to the following limit:
- Undergraduates - 15
- Taught Postgraduates - 20
- Research Postgraduates - 40
- Staff - 40
- Associate Borrowers - 6
Returning items
Please return items at the self-service machines, where you can obtain a receipt. If the Library is closed, you can post them through the letter box outside the Library.
You can post items back to the Library if you are unable to return them in person. Please ask for a certificate of posting from your post office as proof of postage. Our postal address is User Services, The Library, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YH.
If you think you've returned something that is still on your library record or if you've lost, damaged or had a library item stolen, please let us know as soon as possible. Further information about our procedures in these cases is on these pages:
Recalls
The Library is a shared resource for the whole academic community, and borrowing arrangements are designed to ensure that, as far as possible, material is available for use within a reasonable period by any member of the University who requires it. Loaned items are therefore issued subject to recall after one week in term-time if required by another Library user. Recall periods vary duriing the vacations.
If another library user requests an item that you have on loan or it is required for the Short Loan collection, you will receive a recall notice asking you to return it. You cannot renew recalled items.
If a book issued to you is recalled:
- Long Loan issues will be due for return within seven days or by the original due date, whichever is sooner. The recall notice will clearly state the due date. If the item was already due back within the next seven days or is already overdue, the due date in the notice will be the same as the original due date.
- Popular Loan issues will be due for return on the original due date
Recalls and Renewals
It is not possible to renew titles that have been recalled. If you do not visit the campus very regularly and want to renew an item, we recommend you try and renew it immediately before you visit the campus or bring it with you in case it has been requested by another reader. This will save you having to make a special trip or postal arrangements if it is recalled. More information on renewing books.
Recalls and Vacations
Recall arrangements are different during vacation periods:
- We do not recall items during the Christmas or Easter vacations
- During the Summer vacation, you will be asked to return a recalled item within 14 days
Recall Fines
Fines on overdue recalled books are charged at a higher rate. Please see the Fines Rates page for details.
Keeping in touch
Please make sure that you check your university email regularly. If you are going to be away from the university, please ensure that a book, if recalled, could still be returned in your absence, e.g. through a friend, or by post c/o Lynne Pickles at the Library, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YH.
The Library sends notices, reminders about overdue books etc. only to Lancaster University email addresses. Please check your Lancaster email on a regular basis. If you choose to forward your university email to another account then the Library cannot accept responsibility for non-delivery by a third-party mailing system.