Borrowing

To borrow items from any of our libraries you will need your UniCard.

Items can be loaned from the self-issue machines at the Catalyst or at the issue desk at the other sites.

Standard loans are a rolling 2 week loan (NB: Some ERC stock is a rolling 6 week loan) so please check My Account or the date stamped inside the book.

All loans will automatically renew 3 days before their due date and, so long as the item is not reserved, this process will continue with unlimited renewals. Should any item(s) be reserved you will be notified by email and the reserved item(s) will need returning by their current due date to ensure fines are not incurred. You can also manually renew anytime via the My Account function in the library catalogue or contact us.

Loan lengths for general issue media items are normally 2 days or 1 week, ask at the Catalyst Helpdesk for further information or please visit our Media Facilities pages.

Returns

Items can be returned via the self return machine at the Catalyst, at the helpdesk desk at one of the other sites or via one of the external library book bins. Media items should be returned to the Catalyst Helpdesk by no later than 8pm Monday to Friday.  Fines are charged on overdue items that cannot be renewed.

Reservations

You can reserve any item that is currently out on loan, or at another of the library sites. Go to the Library Catalogue, search for the item and choose Reserve this item. You will receive an email to your University address when the item is ready for collection, items are held for 4 days.

If you have any questions about borrowing library items please do get in touch.

Inter-library Loans

The Inter-library Loans service supports the teaching, learning and research activities of the University. If the library does not have an item in stock and you think it will enhance our collections you may request it via the Add a Book service. If we are unable to make a purchase via Add a Book, you can request it via an inter-library loan and we will try our best to get a copy for you.

To make a request https://capitadiscovery.co.uk/edgehill/ill/search/local or alternatively you will see the option to ‘Request an Inter-library Loan’ at the bottom of the search results screen on the library catalogue.

Supply of Inter-library Loans

Journal articles: These can be either posted directly to you, or emailed to your University email address. Please specify your delivery choice on your request.

Book requests: These may be fulfilled by an eBook or print book. eBook loans will be fulfilled via an email to your University email address, notifying you of access details. Print books can be collected from the site you specify on the request.

*Distance learning students who use postal loans should note that, due to the requirements of supplying libraries, print books must be collected from one of our sites.

Book renewals: Requests for renewals should be made by email to ills@edgehill.ac.uk at least 2 days before the due date. Books borrowed on inter-library loan do not belong to Edge Hill University and if a supplying library is unable to fulfil your renewal request you must return the item without delay. Supplying libraries may also recall inter-library loans at short notice so we advise that you utilise the book as soon as it is supplied. The inter-library loans service relies upon the goodwill of other libraries in sharing their resources with our users; to maintain good relationships with our suppliers we ask that users of the inter-library loan service comply with the requirements of the supplying library.

Microfilm/microfiche: 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

Lost/damaged/unreturned interlibrary loan items

Lost/damaged/unreturned items will carry be charged for. Fines will also be charged for the late return of items.

If you have any questions about inter library loans please do not hesitate to contact the team: ills@edgehill.ac.uk.

Postal Loans

Learning Services provide access to a wide range of electronic resources via Discover More which includes over 130,000 electronic books.

Students who do not study at one of our main sites (Ormskirk, Aintree, Manchester) may be entitled to request a book from our print collection via the postal loans service. You can register using the form below.

Only students who are classed as distance learners, or who study at one of our outreach centres can register for the postal loans service. The service is not available for students on placement, living outside the UK, or living at one of the following postcodes: L39, L40, L9, M1.

Once you have registered, items can be requested via the library catalogue and when you 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, or borrow from another library as part of the SCONUL access scheme. Please email a passport sized photograph in jpeg format to fmhelpdesk@edgehill.ac.uk and they will post the card out to you within 5 working days.

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. The service is not available for students on placement, living outside the UK, or living at one of the following postcodes: L39, L40, L9, M1.

Alumni

Once you have registered with the Alumni network you can join the library free of charge.  Simply register using the form below.

Alumni members can:

• Access the study facilities at any of our libraries (Ormskirk, Aintree, Manchester) and borrow up to 5 books.
• Browse our book, print journal and newspaper collections.
• Use a number of educational and academic electronic resources as a day visitor under the terms of the walk in user licence.
• Access a number of electronic resources off site.

Please note that access  to the Catalyst for alumni and other external users is only during helpdesk hours. 

See resources to support Edge Hill Alumni

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

Library registration form:

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 5 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

Visitors and members of the public are welcome to use the University Libraries for research and study. During help desk opening hours visitors can access the study facilities at any of our libraries and browse our book, print journal and newspaper collections. A member of the team  will be happy to help you find the items you need.

During self-service hours access is for current staff and students only.

Visitors who are part-time students, post-graduate students or academic staff at another University can apply in advance to  borrow items under the SCONUL access scheme.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide a loan service for members of the public that do not qualify for SCONUL or alumni access.

Under 18s

Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless visiting as part of an organised school visit, event or open day. More information about events and activities for schools and colleges can be found on the student recruitment pages.

Edge Hill Archive

The Edge Hill Archive is located on the ground floor of the Catalyst and can be visited by appointment.  More information on the archive can be found on the archive pages

Wifi

Students and staff from other universities can bring their own phone, laptop or tablet to access the eduroam wireless network.

A guest wifi network, provided by The Cloud, is also available for visitors who cannot access eduroam.

Electronic Resources

Due to licence restrictions, only members of the University have full access to electronic services. However, we can make some resources available to external users and alumni.

Members of the public and other visitors  can be provided with access to a limited number of electronic resources while they are visiting a library.  Please contact us before you visit to check we have what you need.

Collaborative Library Staff 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

Retired Staff

To find out how to join the library as a retired member of staff please email library@edgehill.ac.uk.

Using Other Libraries

SCONUL Access is a reciprocal service supported by most of the higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland. If you are a part time student, a member of academic staff, a researcher, or a distance learner you may wish to use other academic libraries, particularly if they are closer to where you live and work. Undergraduates are allowed reference only access via the scheme.

You can also take your wireless device to other universities and by connecting to the Eduroam network with your Edge Hill username and password you will be able to use WI-Fi and access Edge Hill eResources.

How to Apply

The scheme is no longer issuing new cards as these have been replaced by the online confirmation email. You will be able to continue to use your SCONUL card if it is still in date. You only need to apply once and can use the email in as many participating institutions as you wish to access. Go to the SCONUL Access website and complete the online registration process.

Using SCONUL Access at Other Institutions

Take your SCONUL confirmation email (or SCONUL card if not yet expired) and your Edge Hill Unicard to the participating library. The SCONUL Access website lists all the participants and information on borrowing so check their opening times and service levels before visiting. 

Apply online at SCONUL Access. When your application is re-approved you will receive a confirmation email.

Library Charges

Fines are charged on overdue library and media items.

*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:

Binding

Learning Services offer a free binding service throughout the year to give your work that professional finish before you submit.

During peak deadline periods we also provide additional staffing support for anyone wishing to metal bind.

Ring binding is self-service and available 24/7 during term time. Metal binding is available Monday to Friday 8am-8pm and Weekends 10am-6pm and library staff will assist you with this process.

Don’t forget, we also provide a series of online guides and toolkits to help you with Dissertation writing and Online Submission on our Uni Skills webpages. You can also speak to a member of the Student Engagement Team in Catalyst (weekdays 9am-5pm) or Ask Us online.