Q. How do I borrow books from the Library?

When you have found the book you want on the shelf, take it to one of our self-service machines and using either your University ID card or the QR code from the Library section in the My Liverpool App login and issue the item. If you need help using the self-service machines please ask at the Help Desk.

A receipt will be sent to your registered University of Liverpool email address. The receipt gives the date that the items are due to be returned. You are responsible for knowing when your books are due for return, you can check your borrowing record by signing into Library Search with your MWS username and password (if you are a University of Liverpool staff or student member). If you are a Visitor of the Library and have borrowing rights e.g. an Alumni member please see How can I check my Library Account online? for details of how to check your Library record online. As you are also responsible for all books issued on your card you should not lend your card or books to other people. 

If all the copies of the book you want are out on loan, you will be able to reserve a copy through Library Search. There is a maximum of 8 reservations or holds per person at any one time, depending on your category (e.g., undergraduate, postgraduate, staff, etc.).

Yes, you can still borrow books, headphones, laptops, ect. by using your virtual ID card in the Library App. If you have lost your ID card but have ordered a new one and do not have the Library App you will still be able to borrow by using a printout of the confirmation email you receive when you apply for your new card, and by showing this at the Library Help Desk. 

Alternatively, if you have forgotten to bring your ID card to the Library, and cannot access your virtual ID card, we will hold books for you on the Manual hold shelf at the Help Desk for 48 hours. 

Please see the guide Can I access the Library and borrow without my card? for more options and information about replacing cards.

If there is another reason why you do not have your ID card, please speak to a member of Library staff and we will see what we can do to help.

For information about how to view your Library borrowing account online please see Can I check my Library borrowing account online?

To view your borrowing history log into your Library account via Library Search.

Click on Loans and then the drop down arrow next to Previous and Historic Loans.

All items for all categories of Library customers are for 4 weeks and auto-renewed every 4 weeks unless requested by another customer.  The only exception to this are Library Use Only books which can be used in the Library for reference purposes only. These books are clearly labelled with a yellow sticker.

Yes, it is possible to borrow books from the University Library through the hospital where you are on placement. It is a free service and applications are made through the relevant hospital librarian. See the NHS Tab of the Health Sciences guide for more information. You are also welcome to use our free Book and Copy Delivery service where we post books to your current address if you prefer. 

If an item is showing as 'Available' in Library Search but is not on the shelves, there could be a number of reasons why:

• Somebody else may be using it in the library.
• It may have been left in the wrong location by the person previously using the book ie on a table or a trolley, or returned to the wrong shelf.
• It may have been returned recently and be awaiting shelving. If an item is marked as 'recently returned' on the catalogue ask a member of staff to check the returns sorting room.
• You may be looking in the wrong place. Check the location and class number again in Library Search - there are sometimes multiple locations for the same class number; if you cannot find the relevant subject area in the Library, speak to a member of staff.
• If the location is Leahurst Campus and the item is not immediately available at the Liverpool campus please request via either the Click and Collect and Get It For Me options in Library Search.
• Some books and pamphlets are kept in a closed-access store. These must be retrieved from the store by Library staff; please ask at the Help Desk.
• Some items are kept on an off-site store (Brunswick Store) and again must be retrieved by a member of staff.
• If an item is already marked on Library Search as 'missing' we will consider ordering a replacement copy. You may wish to obtain a copy more quickly through the Get It For Me service - ask at the Help Desk for more information.