Borrowing services

Remember to always carry your University ID card as you will need it to access borrowing services, such as borrowing, renewing and reserving items.

Borrowing

You can borrow a variety of items from any of our three libraries; books, CD-Roms, CDs, DVDs and videos.

How do I borrow items?

The Self Service machines are available for you to issue items to your account. They are easy to use with clear on-screen instructions. Simply scan your ID card, and then scan the barcode of each item that you wish to borrow.

Remember to collect a receipt or press the Cancel button on the touch screen to complete the transaction. If you do not do this, it is possible that others could use your account to borrow library items and these items will then be your responsibility.

How many items can I borrow?

Undergraduates Postgraduates External borrowers
15 items 25 items 4 items

How long can I borrow items for?

Loan type Undergraduate Postgraduate/Staff Extended Loan Students External borrowers
Normal 4 weeks 12 weeks As per PG or UG 4 weeks
One week 7 days 7 days 14 days 7 days
Reference Unable to borrow Unable to borrow Unable to borrow Unable to borrow
4 hours 4 hours 4 hours 4 hours Unable to borrow
24 hours 24 hours 24 hours 48 hours Unable to borrow

Inter-site loans

The Inter-Site loan service at the University of Salford is a free service that allows you to have items held at any of our library sites delivered to whichever site is most convenient to you. This service is available to all current students and staff of the University of Salford.

Once a request is submitted items will be transferred to your requested location within two working days (Monday to Friday).

Items will be held at your chosen library site on the open access reservation shelf and can be collected whenever the library is open. We will send a message to your student email address when the item is ready for you to collect. When you have finished with the item it can be returned at any library site.

We will not be able to offer transfers when the item is already at your current location. We will not be able to offer transfers for reference or short loan items.

Please ensure you fill out all the details that you can as a partially completed form may not be processed.

Your details

dd/mm/yy  


(The 8 characters beneath your ID barcode, excluding the letter P.)

Item details

(e.g. 100.100/ABC)

Returning items

When you have finished using a library item it makes sense to return it to the library as soon as possible. That way others get the chance to use it sooner, and you don't risk forgetting about it and incur a fine.

How do I return items?

You use the Self Service machines to return items. Just follow their on-screen instructions.

  • Select the Return items option on screen - you do not use your ID card to return items.
  • Scan the barcode of each item that you are returning.
  • Place each item into the appropriate yellow or black slot, as indicated on the screen.
  • Collect a receipt to complete the transaction.

Do I need to return items at the site I borrowed them from?

The majority of items can be returned to any library by using the Self Service machines, which are available at all sites.

There are some items, however, that must be returned to the site of issue, and these include:

What happens if I'm late returning or renewing an item?

If you are late returning an item you will incur fines. See Fines & charges for more information.

What happens if I've lost a library item?

If you have lost a library item that was issued to your library account you should inform us as soon a possible.
See Fines & charges for more information.

Renewing items

If you still need to use a library item at the time of its return date you can usually renew it. There are a few ways to renew library items - the most popular method is via SOLAR.

How do I renew items online?

You can renew your items from anywhere you can access the internet. Simply login to My account via SOLAR and check the box to the left of the item(s) you want to renew. Click the Renew Loan button and the selected items will be renewed and a new due date will be displayed.

Can I renew library items by telephone?

You can call the ITS Service Desk on 0161 295 2444 and follow the simple instructions. This automated service is available 24 hours a day.

Can I renew using Self Service machines?

Yes, you can. Use the Return option on the Self Service machine to remove the item from your library account, and then reissue the item/s to your account.

Is there a limit to the number of times I can renew a library item?

You are able to renew normal and one week loan items a maximum of 12 times before returning them. After this time you will have to bring them to the library for return and re-issue via the Self Service machines.

I've tried to renew a library item but it failed. What should I do?

There are a number of reasons why it may have failed. You may have a fine on your account or somebody may have reserved the item you have on loan.

Please call 0161 295 5535 or ask at a library Enquiry Desk to get more information.

Note: Overnight loans, and items borrowed from the Short Loan Collection cannot be renewed.

Reserving

If all the copies of an item are out on loan, you can reserve one week and normal loan items using SOLAR.

How do I reserve using SOLAR?

All of the copies of the item you want must be on loan for you to make a reservation using SOLAR.

To place a reservation:

  • Search and display the item on SOLAR.
  • The screen will show the location of all the copies of a title and if they are available.
  • Click on the Request button to display the Login page.
  • Type in all 8 digits of your library account number (below the barcode) and select Logon.
    The item's details will be displayed and the 'place a reservation' option should be automatically selected.
  • Click on Place request, and the Reservations screen will be displayed.
  • Click on Confirm.
  • If your reservation is successful, you will see the message: 'Successfully placed reservation' followed by details of the reservation.

How will I know that it is available?

You will be sent an email when your reservation is ready for collection. It will be placed on the Reservation shelf for you for seven days.

Where do I collect an item that I have reserved?

Your item is held on the open access Reservation shelves according to the last four digits of your library number. The item will have a slip placed inside it with the last four digits of your library number printed on it. Once you have located your item(s) they can be issued on a Self Service machine.

You will find Reservation shelves near the Enquiry Desk of each library.

I can't find the item on the shelf - what should I do?

If SOLAR indicates that a copy of the item you want is available for loan but you cannot find it on the shelf then you will need to collect a Reservation card from the Enquiry Desk. Complete the card with details of the item and your contact details, and hand it in at the Enquiry Desk.

Library staff will carry out a shelf check before placing a reservation on the system for you. The next available copy of the item will placed on the Reservation shelf and you will be notified by email that it will be held for you for seven days.

Can I check on my reservations?

Select the My account option via SOLAR. Click on the Reservations link to display information about the progress of your reservations. If you have any queries contact the Enquiry Desk.

What happens if an item I have on loan is reserved?

If you have an item on loan and another person would like to use it, they can place a reservation on it. Once an item is reserved, you will not be able to renew it and you will have to return it by the due date.

I'm unable to reserve an item

Check the following before contacting the Enquiry Desk:

  • Have you entered your borrower number correctly?
    It's the number below the barcode on your University ID card.
  • Are all the copies of the item on loan?
    If there is an item available at any site you cannot place a reservation online.
  • Do you have outstanding fines or charges on your account? You can check this via My account.

Fines & charges

Fines are charged on overdue items to encourage the return of library items, and enable other library users to have the opportunity to borrow the same material.

Avoid incurring fines - return or renew items on time

By regularly viewing your library account you can check for return due dates and avoid fines.

If you haven't finished with an item then there are a number of ways to renew library items.

Renewing library items

  • Online - you can access SOLAR from any PC with internet access
  • By telephone - call 0161 295 5535 and use the 24/7 automated renewals service
  • Self Service - select Return to remove the item/s from your account and then reissue to a new date

Will the library let me know when items are due for return?

As a courtesy service, reminders are sent to your University email account at regular intervals but it is your responsibility to ensure that items are returned or renewed on time.

You can access your online Library account at any time to check when items are due for return, and if you have incurred any fines or charges.

How much are library fines?

Fines are charged at a rate of:

  • 20p per day for normal four week and 12 week loan items
  • 50p per day for one week loan items
  • Overnight loans and items borrowed from the Short Loan Collection will be charged at 50p per hour, or part of an hour, that they are overdue
  • If an item is very overdue a Student Debtors Statement charging you the replacement cost of the items will be raised by the University - this will prevent registration of the next year of your course and may prevent the award of your degree.

What happens if I have a fine?

Failure to return or renew your items will result in increasing fines. You will not be able to borrow any items until all fines and invoices have been cleared.

What happens if I lose an item?

If you have lost an item you will be charged for a replacement.

Please note that the replacement cost charge is a minimum of £15 per item.

Once an item has been paid for your account can be cleared and fines relating to the items will be waived. If an item for which the replacement cost has been paid is subsequently found and returned to the library you will be entitled to a refund.

The amount refunded will be the replacement cost paid minus the standard fine. The standard fine is £10 per item.