Books and library resources

Find books, e-books and reading lists, borrow and return library items, reserve books, request scans and access library support.

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Find books, e-books and other resources

Use library search to find books, e-books, journals and other information sources.  You can use Library Search on your own device or at an information point in one of our Learning Resources Centres (LRCs).

To find a print book:

  1. Search for the book in Library Search.
  2. Check which LRC holds the book and make a note of its Dewey decimal number.
  3. Use the book numbers at the end of the aisles to find the correct location.

You will typically find:

  • College Lane LRC: Health and Life Science, STEM subjects, Education, and Art and Design
  • de Havilland LRC: Business, Law and Sports Science

For more help:

You can also find information about:

Find your course reading list

Your course reading list contains essential, recommended and background reading selected by your module teachers.

Access your reading list through your Canvas module.

For more information and a video showing you how to access your list, see module reading lists and wider reading.

Your course reading list

  • You can access your module reading list via your Canvas module for all your essential, recommended, and background reading for your course. 
  • Your reading list is basically a selection of books and other resources chosen by the module teachers to help you. 
  • You can find out more information about reading lists including a short video showing you how to access your reading list on our Library SkillUP site here: module reading lists and wider reading.

Borrow books

You need your physical University ID card to borrow books using the self-service machines. Your virtual ID card in the HertsMobile app cannot be used to issue books.

To borrow a book:

  1. Place your University ID card on the reader, or select Borrow and follow the on-screen instructions.
  2. Place your items on the Place books here shelf.
  3. Wait for confirmation that the items have been issued.
  4. Select Done and take your books.

How long can I borrow books for?

The standard loan period is two weeks, except for laptop loans.

  • Items automatically renew every two weeks up to 10 times, unless another user reserves them.
  • Staff and PGR student loans renew every two weeks for up to one year, unless reserved by another user.
  • You can have a maximum of 25 loan items at one time.

If you're unwell and cannot visit an LRC, digital books and journals are available through the Online Library on StudyNet.

If an electronic version is unavailable, you can also request a scan of a print book chapter or journal article.

Return library books

You can return books to either LRC using a self-service machine.

  1. Select Return.
  2. Place your items on the Place books here shelf.
  3. Wait for confirmation that the items have been returned.
  4. Select Done.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions and put the books on the returns trolley or in the black box.

You'll receive an automatic email within an hour confirming the return.

If a book cannot be checked in using the machine, put it in the black box next to the self-service machines. You'll receive an email when it has been checked in.

If you're in the UK and cannot travel to campus, use the free UK postal return service.

If you're unwell or cannot return an item by its due date, contact the Helpdesk on 01707 284678 or helpdesk@herts.ac.uk to ask for your loan to be extended.

Late library returns

There are no fines for returning loan items late.

However:

  • your library account will be locked when an item becomes overdue
  • you cannot borrow or reserve items while your account is locked
  • replacement charges will be added if items remain overdue for a significant length of time
  • lost items should be reported to the Helpdesk.

Read more about library restrictions and charges.

You can view your library account through the Online Library in StudyNet.

If you're unwell and cannot return an item by its due date, contact the Helpdesk on 01707 284678 or helpdesk@herts.ac.uk to ask for an extension.

Reserve a library book

You can reserve any loanable item from the library bookshelves.

To reserve an item:

  1. Sign in to Library Search on StudyNet using your University username and password.
  2. Find the book using Library Search or your course reading list in Canvas.
  3. Open the print item and select Reserve this item.
  4. Choose College Lane LRC or de Havilland LRC as your collection location.
  5. Select Place reservation.

We'll email you when your item is ready to collect. You can also receive a Herts Mobile notification if you have signed up for notifications.

If the item is already on loan, it will take longer to become available.

When your item is ready:

  • collect it from the reservation shelves in your selected LRC
  • collect it within seven calendar days or the reservation will be cancelled
  • use the ID card that matches the library account used for the reservation
  • issue the item at the self-service machine before leaving.

You cannot reserve laptops, journals or non-loan archive items. You can reserve other loanable items that are not on the open shelves but appear in Library Search, including DVDs.

If you're unwell or cannot travel to campus to collect an item, contact the Helpdesk.

Check your library loans

You can check your library account using a self-service machine or through the Online Library in StudyNet.

You'll receive an automatic email when items are returned.

Make sure your student record has your current personal email address. Find out how to manage your emails to and from the University.

You can also receive library notifications through the HertsMobile app.

Request a scan

The Request a scan service may be particularly helpful if you're:

  • on placement
  • a final-year or postgraduate student working on a dissertation or research
  • unwell
  • receiving additional accessibility support.

If an electronic version of a library book is unavailable and the University holds a physical copy in an LRC, you can request a scanned copy of a print book chapter.

Copyright restrictions apply.

Access closed stack items and printed theses

Reference-only items in the closed access stack at College Lane LRC, including printed theses, must be requested in advance.

Complete the closed access retrieval form. Download the form and open it in Adobe PDF before completing and submitting it.

You can also:

  1. Open Online Library from the top menu in StudyNet.
  2. Search for the item using Library Search.
  3. Open the location or title link.
  4. Select Access information for Closed Access Collection and complete the form.

Items:

  • can be collected Monday to Friday after 10:00, the day after submitting your request
  • must be returned before 17:00 on the same day
  • can only be used in the LRC.

When collecting or returning an item, call the Library and Computing Services Helpdesk and wait at the LRC Welcome Desk. A member of staff will meet you.

Accessibility and disability support

Ask a member of staff if you need support accessing library services.

Find out about accessibility and disability support in the Learning Resources Centres (LRCs).

You can also find information about:

Book Retrieval Service

If a disability means that you're unable to collect books yourself in the LRC, your Student Wellbeing Adviser can arrange the Book Retrieval Service.

This service must be requested through Student Wellbeing, so contact your adviser to arrange it.

For each book, provide:

  • title
  • author
  • call number
  • the campus where you want to collect it.

Email LTS@herts.ac.uk with at least three working days' notice. You'll receive an email when the books are ready to collect.

For specialist disability support, contact the Student Wellbeing Team:

RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind) Bookshare

RNIB Bookshare provides free online access to accessible textbooks and resources for students with a print disability, including visual impairment and dyslexia.

It offers more than one million titles in accessible formats. Titles can be read electronically or adapted into formats including PDF, Word, EPUB, audio and BRF.

Contact Student Wellbeing at StudentWellbeing@herts.ac.uk to check your eligibility and request membership.

RNIB Bookshare is only available to University members.

Free UK postal returns

If you cannot return library items to campus, you can use the free UK postal return service.

  1. Go to the postal returns service.
  2. Enter your email address and select Submit.
  3. A PDF postal label will be emailed to you from clicksit.com. Check your spam folder if necessary.
  4. Download and print the label.
  5. Package your items securely in a jiffy-style envelope or box.
  6. Attach the label securely.
  7. Take your package to a store offering the CollectPlus service. Find your nearest CollectPlus store.
  8. Keep your proof of posting.

There is a 10kg limit per package. Repeat the process if you need an additional package.

Allow 10 working days for delivery and processing. You can then check your library account.

If you no longer live in the UK, contact the Helpdesk.

Get library and study support

For further help, contact the Library and Computing Services Helpdesk.

You can also access:

CDs are no longer available to borrow. DVDs have been moved from the open shelves to the closed stack. You can still borrow DVDs by finding them in Library Search and making a reservation.

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Library SkillUP Request a scan Additional information sources for your subject How to find books and e-books in Library Search

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