New Student Guide to the Library

A guide to getting started with the Library

Finding resources you need, and your account

Use Library search to find what you need.  It includes:

  • books and e-books;
  • journal articles;
  • reports;
  • dvds and other audio visual materials;
  • newspaper articles;
  • encyclopedia and dictionary entries;
  • items held in Special Collections and Museum Collections.

If you need any help finding what you need please ask for help.

Many modules have online reading lists.  You'll find these on your module on MMS or Moodle, of through the Library webpages.

For every subject studies at St Andrews, there's a subject guide, created by the Academic Liaison Librarian for your subject, to help you find the resources you need.  Use your subject guides to:

  • find the right databases to search for the best resources for your subject;
  • get help using resources on and off-campus;
  • get help from the Academic Liaison Librarian for your subjects.

How many books can I borrow?

  • Undergraduate students - 25 books at one time
  • Postgraduate students - 40 books at one time

How long can I borrow for?

There are a range of Loan types

4 week loan

  • Undergraduate and external members - 4 weeks loan with up to 4 automatic renewals
  • Staff and postgraduates - 4 week loan with up to 20 automatic renewals/

3 day loan

  • 3 days with up to 10 automatic renewals

Short loan (no recall or renewal)

These are high demand books which can only be borrowed by students and staff of the University of St Andrews.  These can be borrowed for 4 hours and overnight.  Short loans cannot be renewed, you must return the item and re-issue it.  Fines are charged for Short loan items at 50p per hour of part of an hour.

Recall

If a 4 week loan item is recalled from you, the due date will change to 7-days from the date recalled, unless the due date is less than 7 days away, when the due date won't change.  You will be notified of the recall by rmail, and recalled books cannot be renewed.  If a 3 day loan items is recalled you'll receive an email, and won't be able to renew it.  Fines are charged for the late return of recalled items, at £2 per day.

You can check your Library account to see:

  • What you have on loan and when items are due back
  • Pay any Library fines
  • Check on items you have requested or recalled
  • Check what you've borrowed in the past.

Login to your account using the "Library Account" option at the top of the Library webpage

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