The following policies apply when you borrow items from:

• The University Library (UL)
• Faculty libraries
• Some college libraries* (see list below)

Students and staff have access to many faculty libraries as well as the main University Library and your own college library. Your blue university card is required to access and borrow items from libraries.

• Once you borrow an item it will renew automatically, including during vacations.
• As you finish with an item, return it promptly to the library where you borrowed it from.
• If the item is requested by someone else, you must bring it back within 3 days.
• Most libraries do not charge fines but check with library staff if you are unsure.
• Each library sets a limit on the number of items you can borrow. This is usually between five and ten items.
• A list of your loans can be found by logging in to iDiscover and you will receive a monthly email reminder. Ensure that you check your Cambridge email account for notices which will tell you if you need to return books or if they are overdue.
• Please look after items you have borrowed, you are responsible for items issued to you.
• You must not write in, mark, or otherwise deface or damage library items in any way.

Note that college libraries are for members of that college only, and some college libraries have their own local policies for borrowing (which differ from those outlined on this page).  For those who are not full-time students or University staff, check borrowing policies at each library. You can check policies and find contact details for all libraries in the Libraries Directory.

Requests

You can request items that are on loan via iDiscover. The borrower will have 3 days to return them. You’ll get an email when they’re ready to collect.

If you need an item that's on loan to someone else, you can use the 'request' option in iDiscover to ask for it to be returned.

Some items from the University Library need to be fetched from a closed store before you may be able to access them - use the 'request' option in iDiscover.

Requests are switched off over the University vacations. Standard loan items can’t be due back outside of termtime, unless your course is finishing. University Library (UL) books are the exception; these can still be requested (and due back) in the summer vacation.

What happens if I place a request? 

• An email notification will ask the borrower to return the requested item within 3 days. 
• When the requested item is returned you will be notified by email, and the item must be collected from the library within 2 days. Some libraries may reserve the item for you for longer.

What happens if an item I have on loan is requested?

• You will receive an email notification to let you know the item has been requested and needs to be returned within 3 days.
• If a requested item is not returned within 3 days, it becomes overdue.
• If you have 2 or more overdue requests, your card will be blocked from borrowing at any library until the requested items are returned.

Release

Cancel requests via iDiscover, or email the library, if books you’ve requested are no longer needed. This will release items so that they are available for others.

Short loans

Some libraries have short loan items (either 1-day or 4-day loans) which cannot be renewed. Remember to return these items on time. Short loans are helpful for keeping copies of the books you need for your weekly work circulating quickly.

Returns

As you finish with an item, return it promptly to the library where you borrowed it from. If for any reason you cannot return a book, perhaps you are ill or perhaps the book is lost, contact library staff. You must return items within 3 days if someone else requests them. At the end of your course, you must return all your library books.

Fines

Most libraries do not charge fines, even for overdue items. Some libraries will charge for overdue short loans at a rate of £0.50 per day. Some college libraries may charge fines (see college libraries with their own local policies for borrowing section below).

Blocks

You will be blocked from borrowing if:

• You have 2 or more overdue requests on loan.
• You reach the maximum fine amount - £100.
• You reach the maximum number of books on loan - 200.
• You reach the maximum number of overdue items - 50.

The block will be removed once you pay your fines or return items. If you are unsure, contact the relevant library staff for assistance.

How do I check my loans and due dates?

A list of your loans can be found by logging in to iDiscover and you will receive a monthly email reminder. Check your Cambridge email account regularly for notices about your loans.

Can I find the list of items I have borrowed before?

A list of your previous loans can be found by logging in to iDiscover. Click on the 'Loans' tab and change the drop down from 'Active loans' to 'Previous and historic loans'.

 

Can I take books home during the vacation?
Yes, but please look after the books, they are your responsibility.

When does vacation borrowing begin?
Your loans should automatically renew during term time and during vacations, check with library staff if you’re not sure.

Can I return a book by post during the vacation?
Items can be returned by registered post during vacation if necessary. Please contact the relevant library to check the correct postal address.

 

I’ve lost or damaged a library book – what should I do?

Contact library staff for guidance. You may need to pay for a replacement copy.

 

How do I pay my library fines and fees?

Log in to iDiscover and click on the ‘Fines + Fees’ tab. College libraries may have other ways to pay – check with your college library if you aren’t sure.

The following colleges use the borrowing policies outlined in this guide:

Churchill	Homerton	Murray Edwards	St Catharine’s
Clare	Jesus	Newnham	St Edmund’s
Fitzwilliam	Lucy Cavendish	Robinson	Trinity Hall
Gonville & Caius	Magdalene	Selwyn	Wolfson

 

The following libraries have their own local policies for borrowing:

Christ's College	Downing College	King's College	Queens' College
Clare Hall	Emmanuel College	Language Centre	Sidney Sussex College
Corpus Christi College	Girton College	Pembroke College	St John's College
Darwin College	Hughes Hall	Peterhouse	Trinity College

Check with your library to find out about loan lengths, renewals, vacation borrowing, and fines.

You may need to renew items manually either by logging in to your library account or by contacting library staff. Check your account regularly as you may be charged fines if items go overdue.