Borrowing and reserving items

You can find books and other items (including music scores, DVDs and CDs) using the Library Search on our website. The quickest way to borrow books is to the visit the Library, browse our shelves and borrow the books on our self-issue machines. You can find our self-issue machines on the ground floor of the Library. 

If you're not in a hurry or the book is already out on loan we also offer Click and Collect and Click and Post. 

You won't be able to borrow any books or any other items that have a red sticker on them. 

How many books and items can I borrow?


Brunel Undergraduates: 

15 items

 

Brunel Taught Postgraduates: 

15 items

 

Brunel Research Postgraduates: 

20 items

 

Brunel University staff: 

35 items

 

Visitors (with a borrowing account): 

6 items (visitors are unable to borrow DVDs)

How do I borrow books and other items from the Library?

If you're not sure how to find a book or item check out our guide on Finding Resources. 

After you've found an item on the shelves you'll be able to borrow it from our self-issue kiosks. 

You'll find these on the ground floor next to the Library Help Desk. To borrow an item you'll need your Brunel ID card and your Library Password. Remember, your Library password is different to your Brunel network password. If you're not sure what it is, please speak to a member of staff or reset your Library password online. 

How long can I borrow something for?

You can borrow a book or other item for 4 weeks. We'll usually automatically renew items for you a further 6 times. Your items may not automatically renew if:

  • Someone else has requested them
  • They are 14 days overdue
  • You owe the Library £20 or more
  • Your Library membership has expired or you're on abeyance from Brunel University of London

If someone else requests something you've borrowed, we'll send you an email to let you know and ask you to return it sooner. You'll be able to see the new date in the email or by logging into your Library account. Please return the item by the new date to avoid the recall overdue charge. The charge is £2 a day.  

 

What happens if I'm late returning an item? 

We understand that life sometimes gets in the way of returning Library books. That's why we give you a little extra time to return items. 

If an item is recalled:

  • We'll send you an email to let you know
  • We'll give you 14 days from when the email was sent to return the item

If you don't return the item by then we'll charge you £2 a day until you return it. 

For more information about our recall charges please check out our FAQ. 

 

If an item is returned late:

  • Anything you borrow from us will have a due date for when you need to return it
  • We'll give you an extra 14 days after that due date to return the item
  • If you haven't returned the item by then we'll charge you for the cost of replacing that item
  • If you return the item within 6 months we'll cancel the charge

If you don't return the item within those 6 months we'll no longer be able to cancel the charge, even if you do bring the item back. That's because we'll have replaced the item by then. 

For more information about our lost book policy please check out our FAQ. 

How can I return an item?

There are 3 ways to return an item. 

  1. The Returns Machine - return your items 1 at a time through the returns machine on the ground floor of the Library
  2. The Book Drop - drop your items into the bookdrop outside the Bannerman Centre
  3. Freepost Returns - use our Freepost Returns service if you can't make it to campus. 

 

What if the item I want isn't available? 

If a physical book or item isn't available, it's always worth checking if it's available as an eBook or eResource. 

If all the physical copies are currently out on loan you can make a Click and Collect request. We'll send you an email when the item is ready to collect. 

What if Brunel Library doesn't have the item I want?

If we don't have what you're looking for you can request an Interlibrary Loan.