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.
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.
| Membership group | Number of items |
| Undergraduates | no limit |
| Taught Postgraduates | no limit |
| Research Postgraduates | no limit |
| Staff: University / UHS / NOC | no limit |
| NHS Staff from Local Trusts | 10 |
| External Borrowers (personal) / Alumni / SCONUL Access | 10 |
| External Borrowers (corporate) | 10/15 |
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.
Contact us
If you have any questions about borrowing items or a loan you currently have you can contact us through our main email address for Library Enquiries
