Loans and borrowing: Loans & Borrowing Guide

Requesting books held in Library stock

You can request books that are available in the libraries, or on loan to other users, via the Click & Collect (Hold) option in our catalogue: login to your account, and search for the book you need. If there is a list of results, select the record for the appropriate book and click Click & Collect (Hold) on the left of the screen.

We will let you know by email when your book(s) are ready and you can collect them when the library is open. You must receive the confirmation email before you come to collect your books. Books must be collected within 3 days of the confirmation email being received. Please bring your University ID card to issue the books on the self-issue machines. You can select your preferred collection point from any of our four libraries located in Southampton and Winchester.  Please check our opening hours before collecting an item.

If you are a UK-based member of the University of Southampton you can use our tracked postal return service to return library books. This is funded by the University and you will not have anything to pay. 

Who can use this service?

• Staff and students of the University of Southampton.
• NOC staff.
• University Hospital Southampton staff.
• NHS staff from other local trusts (from Health Services Library only).
• Members of the public - by applying for an External Borrower ticket. These are issued at the Librarian's discretion.
• Graduates of the University of Southampton - by applying for an Alumni card.

As participating members of the SCONUL Access scheme, staff and students from participating higher education libraries can apply through this scheme to use higher education libraries throughout the UK.

For books or equipment such as laptop loans that you have been contacted about and received a Library Item Return Notice

You will not be able to borrow anything or place holds until items which are overdue are returned.  Your account is blocked once an item is overdue seven days.  Once the item is returned your account will be unblocked.  

For items that remain overdue for longer periods, we will consider them as lost and your account will be logged with a university debt.  See our bills and payments page for more information.