A helping hand with heavy books

Anyone can injure themselves and find it difficult to carry books around, and while we make as many books available electronically as possible, a few books remain only available in print, while some people prefer to read from printed books, particularly when they study for extended periods. Often, academic books tend to be the sort of heavy book with which you can prop open a door or build a small bunker.

Happily, you only have to contend with carrying books once you are actually leaving the Library. Wheeled basket trolleys are available in the Atrium, lifts take you to every floor, and staff can even fetch books if you ask them nicely.

Click and Collect

So long as you know which books you need a few days in advance, either by clicking through to the catalogue from a reading list or by searching the Library catalogue (click on the big blue “Click here to search library resources” button on the Library homepage and use the Catalogue search box – the second one down).

Reserve the book or books you want (assuming they are print books – ebooks you can access from anywhere online) and they will be put on the reservation shelves in the Atrium for you within a few days. You will receive an email (sent to your University email account) when they are ready for you to collect.

Getting trollied

Wherever you find your books in the Library, you never have to carry them. Grab a wheeled trolley basket from the Atrium and take your books for a walk to wherever you want to study.

Going postal

If you can’t make it to the Library or know you need to study at home and cannot carry books with you, we will post books to you anywhere in the UK. It’s free to request books be posted to you – we only ask that you ensure you return them to us if someone else requests them (or before your course ends). Just fill out the short postal loans request form for each book you need.

Beyond print

For anyone with a visual impairment or print disability, such as dyslexia, we may be able to offer additional services, including making printed materials that are usually available only in print available in a more accessible, screen reader-friendly electronic format. If you have any difficulties with your sight, including if you develop sight or reading problems while at university, please don’t hesitate to contact the Library in confidence to discuss your needs. We have well-established procedures for supporting clients with additional needs and work with ASDAC, publishers, and the RNIB to help ensure you have the best study experience possible. We just need to know what your needs are!

As always, if there is anything else you want to ask or chat about in confidence, please ask to speak with a member of library staff, chat with us online or email us. Whatever your needs, we are here to help.