Browser does not support script.

Library

Borrowing, reserving,
and returning resources

Information about borrowing and returning items from the Library.

Borrowing items

Use our Library catalogue to find items you would like to borrow.

Library catalogue

If something is not immediately available, you can reserve it. You may also find that many items are available electronically and are generally accessible instantly.

There are self-issue points throughout Fountains which you can use to borrow items. You need your student ID card to use the self-issue points.

It is your responsibility to make sure that items you have borrowed are returned on time. You will get a weekly email telling you whether your library items have renewed or not. If they have not renewed, they must be returned so other people can use them. You will be charged fines from the date a library item becomes overdue. Information on fine charges is in the Overdue or lost resources section.

If you are not sure how to find and borrow items, watch our welcome video.

Loan lengths, renewals and borrowing limits

All loanable books:

  • Can be borrowed for 2 weeks
  • Are automatically renewed every 7 days unless a reservation is placed on the item (at which point you will be notified it must be returned)

After an item has been renewed 26 times, you will also be asked to return the item to the Library.

The total number of items you can borrow depends on your borrower status. Your allocation includes any Inter-Library loans.

Borrower group Allocation
Undergraduate students (including undergraduate short courses) 25
Taught postgraduate students 30
PhD students and University staff 35
External borrowers (including NHS staff) 10

You can find out what items you have out, when they are due, and how many renewals you have left by checking your Library Account.

Postal loans

If you are unable to travel to campus, live outside York City, are on placement outside York, or are registered for our Accessibility Support service, you may be eligible for postal loans.

Find out more on our postal loans page.

Postal loans

Returning resources

If an item is requested or has reached the limit of 26 renewals, you will be asked to return that item. You can do this on the York campus using our returns machine on the Ground floor of the Library.

If you are not able to travel to our campus to return items, you can return them to us by post.

To return items to us using a postal service:

  • You must send items back at least 1 day before their due date.
  • Package up your books securely and carefully label the package.
  • Address your package to: Library and Learning Services, York St John University, Lord Mayor's Walk, YO31 7EX.
  • Remember to keep your proof of postage. You will need this as evidence of your return, including the date the items were posted.

If you have difficulty returning items, please ask for assistance at the Information Services desk. Phone us on 01904 876 696, or email us at support@yorksj.ac.uk.

Overdue or lost resources

If items are not returned by their due date, you will receive overdue notices by email, and you will be charged £1.00 per day per item.

Please be aware that accruing fines of £10.00 or more will suspend your borrowing privileges. This means you are no longer able to borrow items and any current items you have on loan will no longer auto renewHowever, you can clear fines quickly and easily. Where fines total £2.00 or more, payments can be made online using your library account. Just navigate to the Charges tab in your account.

If items aren't returned within 14 days of their due date, you will be invoiced for the replacement costs and any accrued fines.

Please note: You are sent reminders and notices by email, so it is important to keep us informed of any changes to your email address.

London Campus Library

Use our online catalogue to find items you would like to borrow. You can filter your search to only show books available in London.

Library catalogue

We have electronic copies of all our London books, so if a book is not on the shelf, you can read it online instead.

Accessing ebooks

You can borrow and return books using the self-service kiosk in the third floor Library area, using your student ID card.

You can borrow up to 5 books at a time, for 14 days each. Loans from London are not renewable, so must be returned after 14 days. This is to help other students who may want to use the same books. Books not returned by their due date will incur fines of £1 per day, per book. If you reach £10 of fines, you will be blocked from borrowing more books.

Remember to check for emails from the Library – they contain important reminders of when your books are due back.

You can see what items you have borrowed and pay fines by logging into your online Library account:

Your library account