Using Our Services

Plan your visit

  • Opening Times – Summer Opening times for Catalyst can be found here
  • Please maintain a safe distance in Catalyst and face coverings can be worn when moving around the building. Thank you
  • Swipe access – You will need your UniCard to swipe in and out of Catalyst between 8pm and 11pm.
  • Individual study – There are no group rooms available in the building at present. Please check back regularly for updates on when this will change.
  • Study space booking – we have provided bookable study space on the 3rd floor of Catalyst. This is a silent study floor and there are bookable spaces with PCs and also large desks. You can book here: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/services/study-room-bookings/
  • Furniture layout – the furniture in Catalyst has been arranged specifically to maintain social distancing. Updates and changes to the furniture layout will take place over summer.
  • Our colleagues in Student Services and Careers are also back in Catalyst but blending face to face services with virtual help and support appointments.  Please visit their relevant webpages in the first instance or contact the helpdesk for key information.

     

Help & Support

There are lots of ways you can access help and support. If you have any questions about our services, facilities or resources simply search our knowledge base Ask Us which contains the most commonly asked questions.

We are working hard to offer help and support to all our students. You can get in touch with us either in person at the Catalyst building, or via:

Phone: 01695 650800

Email: Catalystenquiries@Edgehill.ac.uk

Live chat at ehu.ac.uk/askus.

The Helpdesk is situated on the ground floor of Catalyst (Ormskirk). You can access specialist help and support for IT assistance, SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulties), subject specific and academic skills along with general library, Student Services and Careers queries at our helpdesk.

We also have a range of online guides and tutorials.

Borrowing

Learning Services provide access to a wide range of electronic resources via Discover More which includes over 130,000 electronic books. During this time we highly recommend you search for eBooks first before loaning physical stock. Please see this e-resources page for further support.

To borrow items from any of our libraries you will need your UniCard and masks must be worn unless exempt. Items can be loaned from the self-issue machines at Catalyst.

Loan Allocations
Student inc PGCEs + Masters 25 items
Research / Staff 35 items
External inc Alumni 5 items

Standard loans are a rolling 2 week loan (NB: some ERC stock is a rolling 6 week loan) so please check My Account.

Reservations & Renewals

You can reserve items currently out on loan, as well as request items from another site. You will not be able to reserve items which are showing available at Ormskirk, if you are collecting from Catalyst.

You will be emailed when your item is ready to collect, and you will have 7 days to collect it.

All loans will automatically renew 3 days before their due date and, if the item is not reserved, this process will continue with unlimited renewals.

You can manually renew items, without reservations, via the My Account function in the library catalogue or by contacting us.

If any item(s) are reserved, you will be notified by email, and the reserved item(s) should be returned by their due date. Fines will start to accrue after a grace period to allow for quarantine and fewer days attendance on Campus.

Reservations may take long to fulfil as all returned stock is quarantined for 3 days prior to processing.

Returns

Items can be return to a trolley by the entrance on the Ground Floor of Catalyst. Your books will remain on your library account for 3 days due to the quarantining of all items. If you are unable to return reserved items please get in touch so we can advise further.

If you are unable to visit and require access to library stock or have any further questions about borrowing library items, please contact us at catalystenquiries@edgehill.ac.uk.

You want it, We get it

Is there a book or a journal article/book chapter you want which you can’t find through the library catalogue?

Books

We will either purchase the item for our stock or borrow it from another library.

Journal articles

If there is an article that you need which is not on Discover More, or a chapter from a book that we don’t have, then we will try and get it for you from another institution.

Make a Book Request

To make a request:

  • Check the library catalogue to make sure we don’t have the item you require
  • Go to the ‘You want it, We get it’ request form
  • Log in using your EHU username and password
  • Complete the form with as much information as possible – the more information you provide, the quicker we can process your request
  • We’ll do the rest!

Make a Journal Article/Book Chapter Request

Journal Articles:

  • Check Discover More using the article title to make sure it is not available there
  • It is also worth checking the A-Z Journal List using the journal title, to make sure the article isn’t accessible through that avenue
  • Go to the ‘You want it, We get it’ request form
  • Log in using your EHU username and password
  • Complete the form with as much information as possible – as a minimum please provide the journal and article title, volume, issue and page numbers and year of publication.
  • We’ll do the rest!

Book Chapters:

  • Check the library catalogue to make sure we don’t have the item you require
  • Go to the ‘You want it, We get it’ request form
  • Log in using your EHU username and password
  • Complete the form with as much information as possible – as a minimum, please provide the book title, chapter title (and number if there is one), and page numbers.
  • We’ll do the rest!

Many articles/book chapters will come from the British Library. If you choose electronic delivery, you will need to register with the British Library on Demand (https://ondemand.bl.uk/onDemand/home) service before you are able to access the documents. You can do this any time, but we would strongly advise you to register before you receive your first article.

Receive, Renew, Return

Receiving items

Books purchased for library stock:
A reservation will be placed on your behalf. When the book is received in the library, you will receive an email to your Edge Hill university email account, advising you that the book has been reserved for you and it will be held on the Reservation Shelf, at the site you specified on your request form, for 4 days from the date of that email.

Books received as an Inter Library Loan:

  • You will receive an email asking you to collect your item for loan from the Help Desk in the Library.
  • Items will be issued to you by a member of staff – it is not possible to self-issue inter-library loans.
  • The bookmark that accompanies the loan contains important information and should be kept with the item whilst in your care.
  • Loan lengths are determined by the lending library. If you need the book for a longer period of time, you can request a renewal (see below).
  • Items borrowed via Inter-library Loan are subject to recall at any time by the lender. You will be notified of recalls via a courtesy email, but you are ultimately responsible for keeping track of the due dates and statuses of your books.
  • Items not returned by their due dates may also be billed for replacement by the lender and the full cost will be passed on to you as the borrower.
  • Occasionally, we can only obtain an item on reference use only basis, which means you will not be able to take them out of the library. If the book you request is only available on that basis, we will check with you beforehand that it is suitable for your requirements.

Journal article

You will either be sent a photocopy to keep or a Secure Electronic Delivery document will be sent via email with a link to the article.

Renewing your Inter Library Loan items

  • As Inter-Library Loan items are not part of our own library stock, they will not renew automatically in your library account.
  • If you find you need your Inter Library Loan book for a longer period, you must contact the Collections and Archives team by email ills@edgehill.ac.uk to request a renewal.
  • Please note that renewals are not guaranteed and are up to the lender’s discretion.

Returning items

  • Our own library stock can be returned via the self-service machines.
  • Inter Library Loans must be returned to the Help Desk in the Catalyst.  You cannot return them via the self-service points.

Lost/damaged/unreturned inter library loans

  • Fines will be charged for late returns, loss or damage of inter library loans – please see the Fines page for details of charges.

When completing the request form you must tick the box to confirm that you have read and agreed to the copyright terms and conditions.

  • This is a legal requirement. Under copyright law you can only request a photocopy or electronic copy of an article, book chapter or similar once, for the purpose of private study or non-commercial purposes, and ticking the box is equivalent to an electronic signature.

Copyright Declaration

When completing the request form you must tick the box to confirm that you have read and agreed to the copyright terms and conditions. This is a legal requirement. Under copyright law you can only request a photocopy or electronic copy of an article, book chapter or similar once, for the purpose of private study or non-commercial purposes, and ticking the box is equivalent to an electronic signature.

FAQs

Commonly asked questions:

Is there a limit to the number of requests I can make?

Yes, there is a limit, depending on which group you belong to:

  • Staff 100
  • Postgraduate – Research 100
  • Postgraduate – Taught 30
  • Undergraduate 30

Can I use this service if I am a distance learner?

We will attempt to satisfy any requests that are made by Distance Learning students who are registered to use the postal loans service, by purchasing the item for our own stock. A reservation will be placed on your behalf and will be posted out to you in the usual way, once the item is received by the library.However, due to the requirements of supplying libraries, Distance Learning students should note that print books must be collected from one of our sites.Journal articles can be ordered and will be delivered either electronically to your Edge Hill email address or posted directly to your home address.

Can I request a Thesis through this service?

If you wish to request a thesis from another UK Higher Education Institution, please check the British Library’s EThOS service to see if it is available.EThOS is a national thesis service run by the British Library, and from here you can access records relating to theses awarded by over 120 UK institutions. Many UK theses have already been digitised and are available to download free of charge.If the thesis hasn’t already been digitised British Library will try to obtain a copy for you, but please be aware that this may incur a charge if they have to make an electronic copy.

Please visit the website https://ethos.bl.uk for more information.

The item I want is only available in microfilm/microfiche format, can I still get it?

Occasionally items may be supplied on microfilm or microfiche. Our Ormskirk site provides a microfilm/microfiche reading equipment. This can be used by appointment. Contact ills@edgehill.ac.uk for more details or to make an appointment.

How do I request an Inter Library Loan?

  • In January 2020, our Inter Library Loan and Add a Book services combined into one new You Want It We Get it service.  All you will need to do is complete the request form and we will do our best to get the item for you, either by purchasing it for our own stock, or by requesting it from British Library or another institution, whichever is the option.

How long will it take for the item to arrive?

  • Print items purchased for stock will normally take approximately 3 weeks to arrive from the date of the order, but this can vary depending on the availability of the item.
  • Ebooks will usually be available for use within 5-7 working days from the date of order.
  • Inter Library Loans will usually be available for collection within 10 days from the date of request, but again, this can vary, depending on the availability of the item.

Requests from other universities

Institutions within the UK

We supply loans, articles and chapters from both print and electronic material within our collections.  Please provide your British Library Billing Account number, British Library code and a reference number for each request you make.We charge at the current standard BL rate.

Institutions outside the UK

We are not currently able to supply any materials to institutions outside the UK.

Postal Loans

Students who do not study at our main site Ormskirk may be entitled to request a book from our print collection via the postal loan service.

You can register using the form below but please be aware that during July and August 2021 there will be a delay to processing your form as the library moves to a new catalogue and Discovery system. We expect to have all forms processed by mid August. If your request is urgent please contact us at catalystenquiries@edgehill.ac.uk  to see how we can best support you.

Once you have registered, items can be requested via the library catalogue and when your are ready to return your item, you can visit one of our centres, return via post or use the free parcel force return option – details will be sent to you in each parcel. Fines are charged on overdue items that cannot be renewed.

You will need a Unicard if you want to visit one of our libraries and borrow items in person.

Postal Loan Registration Form

Only students who are classed as distance learners, or who study at one of our outreach centres can register for the postal loans service. 

    Choose a centre/course from drop down list

    Module Number or Course title (optional)

    Your Name (required)

    Address (required)


    Postcode

    Edge Hill username and email

    Edge Hill username (e.g: 20012345) (required)

    Your Edge Hill Email (required)

    How we will use the information you provide
    Any information that you provide will be used to help support or fulfil your request.
    The information provided/recorded will be visible to colleagues in Learning Services.
    On some occasions we may need to share some, or all of, the information provided with other Edge Hill University colleagues.

    I have read and understood the data protection and privacy statement and agree to Edge Hill University processing my personal data.

    Alumni

    Existing Alumni Members:

    During July and August you will see some changes to online services as the library moves to a new catalogue and Discovery system. We will be getting in touch to explain how you can continue to use services, including an update on access to Catalyst and the physical book stock.

    While the  physical libraries are still  closed to Alumni members, you are able to access a number of electronic resources. See resources to support Edge Hill Alumni

    New Alumni Members:

    We will not be processing new Alumni memberships while a new library system is implemented in July. You can submit your form as normal and we will process your request in mid August. Make sure you have registered with the Alumni network first. 

    For more information about our Alumni offer, please get in touch via Ask Us

    Library registration form:

      Are you a member of the Edge Hill Alumni network?

      For licensing reasons we will check the University Alumni database

      YesNo

      Name (required)

      Home address (required)

      Postcode (required)

      Date of Birth (required)

      Phone number (required)

      Email address (required)

      Year of Graduation (If known)

      I agree to abide by the University acceptable use policy and the terms of the licence for the use of electronic resources.

      I have read and agree with the data protection and privacy statement.


      Resources to support Edge Hill Alumni

      We are pleased to announce that we have recently extended the licence to a number of eResources which means our Alumni can now access over 1,000 eJournals.  These journals are part of collections from 7 publishers.

      Our Alumni can access these at home using the Edge Hill library catalogue, or just use the links above.  All you need is your library number and PIN.

      Visitors

      To support social distancing measures in response to COVID-19 our libraries are currently closed to external members and the public.

      We look forward to welcoming you back when it is safe to do so.

      Electronic Resources

      Licencing restrictions prevent us from giving access to electronic services. However, we can make some resources available to the below external users.

      Academic Partnerships can access a number of electronic resources to help them support Edge Hill University students. To apply for membership please fill in the online form.

      Alumni can access a number of electronic resources once they have registered with the library. There is an online registration form available on the alumni pages

       

       

       

      Using Other Libraries

       

      SCONUL Access is a reciprocal service supported by most of the higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland and allows you to access other academic libraries. However, due to the continuing situation with COVID-19 SCONUL have suspended the scheme until further notice.

       

       

      Library Charges

      Fines are charged on overdue library and media items.  Currently library fines have been suspended.  We will contact all users if there are any changes to this.  

      Charges
      2 week rolling loans 25p per day*
      6 week rolling loans 25p per day*
      general issue media items £1 per day*
      inter library loan 25p per day
      inter library loan – lost/damaged/unreturned £185.50 per item

      *only fined if item reserved

      Fines can be paid online via My Account in the library catalogue (minimum £1 transaction), or in person at any of our library sites. If you have lost/damaged any library or media items you will be charged the full replacement cost.

      Whilst the majority of library services are provided free of charge, some services do incur a fee:

      Printing Charges
      Black and white printing or photocopying 2p per sheet (A4) and 3p per sheet (A3)
      Colour printing or photocopying 5p per sheet (A4) and 6p per sheet (A3)