Library
Explore this Section
Borrowing
With over half a million books on our shelves, we continue to invest in print books and new items become available every week. At the same time, with functionality to provide access for multiple users, and particular benefits for anyone working off campus, we also keep adding to our electronic resources, particularly e-journals.
Self-Service
For your convenience there are a number of Self-Service terminals on the Middle Floor. Please follow the on-screen instructions about where to deposit returned items. If you prefer, Library Team will be happy to serve you at the counter.
You will always need your Keele Card to check out items for loan.
- How many items can I borrow?
- How long can I borrow for?
- Reserving Items
- Renewing Loans
- Returning Loans
- Overdue Returns
- Fines
- Fines Appeals
- Contact us
How many items can I borrow?
The number of items you can borrow at any one time varies for different student groups.
|
Borrower Type |
How Many? * including up to 6 from Short Loan |
|
Undergraduates and taught postgraduate students |
16* |
|
Postgraduate Music students |
20* |
|
Postgraduate research students/staff |
30* |
|
NHS members |
12 |
|
External members (includes members of the SCONUL Access scheme) |
4 |
How long can I borrow for?
Loan Categories
There are 3 main categories for loans: items are labelled on the spine to tell you which loan category it falls into.
- Short Loan – one day loan, items must be returned by midnight the following day.
- 7 Day Loan – items must be returned by midnight in one week’s time.
- Standard Loan – items must be returned by midnight in 2 week’s time.
Additionally for Academic Staff and Research Postgraduates we offer Academic Year Loans: these items are subject to recall if requested by students.
You can access your library account at any time using the Library Catalogue to check when items you have on loan are due for return. We will send emails to your Keele e-mail account to alert you when an item becomes overdue or if it has been requested by another user. Please check your Keele e-mail account regularly when you have items on loan to avoid your fines balance escalating.
Reserving Items
Reserving Items
If the item you require is already out on loan you can 'request' it via your Library Account. The current lender will not be able to renew it and once the item is returned it will be kept aside by Counter Staff. You will be e-mailed to inform you that your book is ready for collection and you will have 3 days* to collect it before it is put back out on general circulation. At the Campus Library the item will be placed in the ‘Reserved Items Collection Point’ in the main foyer of the Library building and can be collected 24/7 during semesters.
* Short Loans must be collected within 24 hours.
At the Health Library reserved items will be held behind the counter and can be collected during counter opening hours.
Renewing Loans
Renewing Loans
Provided it has not been requested by another user, you may renew your loan as many times as you wish. When any item is requested by another user you will not be able to renew it. You will not be able to renew items if you owe more than £10 in fines.
Renewals may be done online via Library Catalogue or by phoning 01782 733230 (answerphone). Or you may come into the Library in person and renew at the Self-Service terminals or at the Counter.
If items are not renewed on time they will become liable for fines. If items are reserved by another user fine levies are higher. To help keep fines to a minimum, we will e-mail to your Keele e-mail account to alert you that an item you are holding is due for renewal or reserved by another user. Pleaes check your Keele e-mail regularly when you have items on loan.
Returning Loans
Returning Loans
Please use the Self-Service teminals to return loans or, if you prefer, you can take items to the Service Counter.
Please note that an out-of-hours book return bin is available for use when the building is closed. The bin is emptied daily and staff will update your library account.
Overdue Returns
Overdue Returns
Books not returned by midnight on the due date will become liable for fines. If your fine balance exceeds £10 you will be prevented from making further loans or renewing items until the balance is reduced.
The fine amounts have been agreed in consultation with the Library Advisory Group which includes representation from the Students’ Union. Fines exist to regulate availability of resources for all users. We don't want you to become liable for fines and we try to help by sending out courtesy notices to your Keele e-mail account when books are due for renewal. Please check your account regularly and return or renew items on time.
All fines must be paid in full by the end of each academic year.
Fines
Fines
Fines exist to make sure items circulate as quickly as possible for the benefit of all our users. We don't want you to incur fines and you won't if you return items on time or renew them within the time allowed.
Charges are as follows, per item, per day:
|
Overdue Item but not reserved |
Reserved overdue Items |
|
Standard Loan: 25p per day (max: £5.00 per item) |
£1.00 per day (max: £20 per item) |
|
Week Loan: 25p per day (max: £5.00 per item) |
£1.00 per day(max: £20 per item) |
|
Short Loans: £1.00 per day (max: £20 per item) |
£2.00 per day ( max: £20 per item) |
|
Inter-Library Loans: £1.00 per day (max: £20 per item) |
n/a |
|
Please remember: |
|
|
You cannot borrow or renew if you have outstanding fines of £10 or over. |
|
|
All fines must be paid in full by the end of the academic year. |
|
Any item not returned after a period of 2 months beyond the due date will be invoiced for the replacement cost.
Fines Appeals
Fines Appeals
The fine structure has been agreed with the Library Advisory Group which has representation from the Students' Union. Fines are avoidable if you return or renew books when they are due. Higher fines apply on Short Loan stock and when the item you are holding on to is requested by another user. Fines enable us to ensure fair access to resources for all users.
Contact us
|
Contact for … |
Who … |
Telephone |
|
|
Renewals |
Answerphone |
01782 733230 |
|
|
iNFO Point Enquires service |
Duty Staff |
01782 733535 |
|
|
Service Counter |
Duty Staff |
01782 734159 |
|
|
Counter Supervisors |
Ruth Cooke Julie Peers Debbie Steventon
|
01782 733233 01782 733233 01782 733233 |
|
|
Customer Services Manager |
Ruth Chell |
01782 733503 |
|
|
Inter Library Loans |
Duty Staff |
01782 733236 |
|
|
Health Library |
Duty Staff |
01782 556582 |
Other Borrowing FAQs
How will I know if my loans are overdue, requested or recalled?
You can always check on when your loans are due back by checking your account on the library catalogue. If a loan is due for return we'll also send a message to your University e-mail account. Please ensure you check this e-mail account on a regular basis!
I've lost a book; what happens next?
When you report a book that you have on loan as missing, staff will try to help you find it by searching the Library for it. If after 30 days it isn’t found we will invoice you for the replacement cost plus an administration fee. If you later find the item after having reported it as lost, it will have accrued normal overdue fines which will be payable on it up to the day it is returned, unless you have paid for a replacement item.
I can’t renew my loans. Why?
The most common reason is that you have a fine of £10 or more, we put this limit in place to help prevent fines escalating. You can pay fines at the Self Service terminals, at the Library Service Counter or by phoning 01782 734159.
If you don't have a fine over £10, please call or come to the Service Counter 01782 734159 (or leave a message on the answerphone 01782 73323o) and we will investigate the problem for you.
It's 3am and I can't take out any books. Why?
The Library System runs a series of essential maintenance programs between 3am and 4am. These have the unfortunate effect of restricting issues, returns, renewals or reservations. Please try again outside this period.
I'm on placement/based off-campus
If you are a medical student on placement at the University Hospital North Staffordshire or at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, you can request items be collected from and /or returned to either of these sites or the Campus Library. This is a FREE service - please ask at the Service Counter for details.
Any off-campus Keele student can register at the Library Counter for our Postal Loans service. A fee is charged to cover the cost of sending items using Recorded Delivery (currenlty £5 per parcel). To arrange Postal Loans, please speak to the Counter Supervisor on 01782 734159.
It’s the vacation and my book has been recalled. How do I return it?
Over vacation we extend the loan period to reflect the fact that many students will choose to take items home with them. In these circumstances, if the item is requested by another user you may be asked to return it. If you are unable to return it in person you should be prepared to post items back to avoid fines.
I can’t find the item I need for my course/research
If you’ve checked the catalogue you can do the following:
- Check with the Info Point Enquiries Service on 01782 733535 or email library.help@keele.ac.uk
- Order the item via our Inter Library Loans Service. There's normally a charge for this. Tel 01782 733236 or email library.interlibraryloans@keele.ac.uk
I'm not at Keele but I have joined the SCONUL Access Scheme
Full details of the SCONUL Access scheme can be seen here.
I'm a Keele graduate. Can I use the Library services?
You're welcome to use the Campus and Health Libraries free of charge for reference. Unfortunately we will not be able to offer you internet access. To borrow, please register for membership at the Library Service Counter - an annual fee of £25 is charged. You can then borrow up to 4 items, excluding Short Loan items.
I am a member of the public: Can I use Keele's Library services?
You're welcome to use the Campus and Health Libraries free of charge for reference. Unfortunately we will not be able to offer you internet access. To borrow, please register for membership at the Library Service Counter - an annual fee of £50 is charged. You can then borrow up to 4 items, excluding Short Loan items.
Any other questions? Please Contact the Library
