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Using our libraries

All you need to know about using the libraries on our campuses

UDiscover - Quick Search

 

Using the UDiscover Library Catalogue

  • Search UDiscover, our library catalogue, for the book you are looking for.
  • The search results should show if we have the title in our collections, and will present both electronic and print versions subject to availability. Print copies will show as 'Available at _____ Library' and electronic versions will show as 'Available Online'.
  • Clicking on a print title will show the campus locations where the title is available, and information on where you can find it on the shelf.
    • Books are shelved by 'Classmark', which will be displayed on the record. Books are arranged in alphabetical order of Classmark – e.g. LB1D European Union, LNAC5 Arbitration, LNCD Business and Company, LNF Crime etc. – and then alphabetically by author’s surname. For example, LB1D FOS would come before LB1D WAE.
  • Once you have found the item on the shelf, you can use it in the library. You can borrow most books at the self-issue machine.

  • Search UDiscover, our library catalogue, for the book you are looking for.
  • The search results should show if we have the title in our collections, and will present both electronic and print versions subject to availability. Print copies will show as 'Available at _____ Library' and electronic versions will show as 'Available Online'.
  • Clicking on an electronic title will bring up the full library record. In the 'View Online' section of the record you will find a link to the full text on one of the ebook platforms that ULaw subscribes to.
N.B. it's best to log in to your Library Account before accessing ebooks from UDiscover, as this will usually ensure your ULaw details are automatically authenticated on the ebook platforms. See the 'Accessing and using your Library Account' tab above for more information.

 

  • To find a journal in our collection, go to the Journal Search section on UDiscover.
  • Search UDiscover, our library catalogue, for the book or journal title you are looking for.
  • The search results should show if we have the title in our collections, and will present both electronic and print versions subject to availability. Print copies will show as 'Available at _____ Library (Journals)' and electronic versions will show as 'Available Online'.
  • Clicking on a print title will show the campus locations where the title is available, and information on where you can find it on the shelf.
    • Journals and Law Reports are arranged in alphabetical order by title.
  • Once you have found the item on the shelf, you can use it in the library. Print journals are usually for reference in the library only.

  • If you know the article title, you can search for it on UDiscover via two slightly different methods:
    • Before typing in your search, click on the 🔎 icon at the end of the search bar. This will bring up a dropdown menu of search options: choose 'Everything'.
    • Type in your search but wait for a second before confirming, and a list of search options will appear below the search bar. Click the one that says 'Everything'.
  • If we have online access to the journal then the first result should be a library record for the article. Click into the record to find the link to the full text.
  • If the article is not included in the search results, please contact your Librarian. The contact details are listed on the Campus Library pages.

  • If a book at your campus library is on loan, you can request it on UDiscover. The 'Request' option will only appear if there are no copies on the shelves at your campus.
  • If you can see that the book is available at other campus libraries, please email your own campus library - the library staff will look into arranging a loan between campuses. Contact details can be found on the Campus Library pages.

  • Your Campus Library provides access to all the resources (print and electronic) needed to support your course. If during assessment periods, copies of in-demand titles are difficult to obtain, please notify staff at your Campus Library. They will consider your request, and may be able to suggest alternative resources, purchase the requested item for your Campus Library, or borrow a copy held by another Campus Library.
  • You can sign into your Library Account in the top-right corner of the UDiscover screen. If you are logged in, your name will be shown.
  • Once signed in, you can view details such as your active loans and requests.
  • If you are signed in when searching for a resource, you can 'pin' results to your Favorites for quick access by pressing the 📌 icon.

  • UDiscover is not suitable for finding cases or legislation - for this, you will need to use Legal Databases such as LexisLibrary and Westlaw.

Borrowing and Returning Books

  • Students have a borrowing limit of 5 books.
  • Staff have a borrowing limit of 15 books.
  • Standard Loans are for 1 week, and will automatically be renewed 6 times unless someone requests an item you have on loan.
  • If you still want to use the books after the maximum number of renewals is reached, you will have to come onto Campus to return and reissue the books.
  • Sometimes books are only available for Short Loan - these are for 3 hours, and can only be renewed once.
  • Reference items cannot be taken out of the library by students. (ULaw Staff can borrow these on a Short Loan basis.)
  • As your loans will renew automatically, there is no need to renew your books manually.
  • If your loans have stopped renewing automatically, this is likely because the renewal limit has been reached. If you still need the books after reaching this limit, simply return and reissue the books at the self-issue machine in your campus library: this will cause the renewal cycle to begin again.
  • We only charge fees if an item which is reserved by another student is not returned on time. If another student reserves an item which you have on loan you will be notified by email to confirm that you will not be able to renew the item and it must be returned by the due date. Therefore, it is important that you check your University email account regularly.
  • If the item is not returned on time a fee of £5 will be charged the day after the return date. It is important for students to obtain quick access to the items they need to meet assessment deadlines. The fees system is intended to discourage borrowers from retaining items required by other students for longer than expected.
  • Fees are also charged for the replacement cost of the book if items are not renewed. These fees will be removed from your account when the item is returned. We send you an email reminder when items are due for return.
  • You can find out how much you owe in library fees by checking your Library Account
  • There is no maximum library fees limit as books that are overdue will be marked as lost and the replacement cost will be added to your account.
  • If your total library fees reach £25, your library account will be blocked, and you will be prevented from further borrowing until you have paid your fees.

Take the items and your University ID card to the self-service machines and follow the on-screen instructions. You need to present your University ID card every time you borrow. Alternatively, ask a member of staff at the Library Desk.


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