Borrowing & membership

How do I borrow items and how long can I keep them for?

When you have found what you are looking for, take the items to one of our self-service machines. There are instructions on how to use on each machine. 

The initial loan period for all books is 2 weeks, however, books will automatically renew unless they have been requested by someone or you have had them out for 24 weeks. If one of your books is requested you will receive an email to your student account and you must return the book by the date shown. Items with more than one request will be reduced to an initial one week loan.

If you have reached your maximum borrowing entitlement of 17 items you will not be able to borrow anything else until you have returned some items.

All books will renew automatically unless they have been requested or have reached the maximum renewals limit. Please keep an eye on your student email because we send courtesy reminders to your account. 

Recall notices

You will receive an automated email two days in advance if a book you have on loan needs to be returned.  Books are recalled if they are requested by another user, or if you have had the book for six months so have reached the renewal limit..  Emails will be sent to your student account so do check this regularly.

Please return the book(s) mentioned in the email by the date shown to avoid a recall charge.  Books that have been requested by another user will have a recall charge of £1 a day.

You can return books in person, or if you are not able to get on campus you can return books by post to the following addresses:

• Thompson Library, Staffordshire University , College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DE
• Blackheath Lane Library & IT Centre, Staffordshire University, Blackheath Lane , Stafford , ST18 0YB

Please package books securely and obtain proof of posting.  

The number of items that you can borrow depends on your borrower status. The table below explains entitlements

Your books will automatically renew before they are due back unless they have been requested or you have had them out for 24 weeks.  If one of your books is due back you will receive an email to your student university email account - so please remember to check your emails. 

You can also keep tabs on your items and request other items by going to your account at: https://libcat.staffs.ac.uk and logging on with your university username and password. 

If you have any problems with your library account, please ring 01782 295770 between 9am-4.45pm, Monday - Friday. 

• To be able to borrow, you must have your library membership card (student ID card) with you. No other forms of identification are accepted. 
• Students on placement will need to request a Student ID Card to be able to continue to borrow items from the library. 
• Books and other materials available for loan through the Library must be treated with care at all times.  
• You are personally responsible for any items that you have borrowed until the loan is cancelled.  
• Books must be returned when they are requested or after 24 weeks. 
• To ensure that all members have an opportunity to use library items, you will be charged for any items that are lost or damaged.
• Anyone failing to return requested items may have their membership temporarily withdrawn.   
• Books can be posted back to Thompson Library Or Blackheath Lane Libraries
  • Thompson Library, Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke, ST4 2DE
  • Blackheath Lane Library and IT Centre, Staffordshire University, Blackheath Lane, Stafford, ST18 0YB

Self Service machines 

The self-service machines available in our libraries allow you to borrow and return items yourself.  There are also some machines which allow you to pay any outstanding charges that you may have.  They are easy to use and instructions are displayed on screen to show you what to do. 

 How do I borrow an item? 

1.     Take your items to a self-service machine along with your Student ID Card or Library Card. 

2.     Select Check Out from the options and follow the instructions displayed on the screen. 

3.     When all of your items have been issued, select Print Receipt. 

4.     A receipt will be provided listing the items that you have borrowed and their due dates.  

  Please note: You will not be allowed to borrow items if you have outstanding charges or overdue items. 

 How do I return an item? 

1.     Take your items to a self-service machine – you do not need to have your Student ID Card or Library Card with you to return items. 

2.     Select Returns from the options and follow the instructions displayed on the screen.  The machine will indicate which book return bin, red or green, to use. 

3.     When all of your items have been returned, select Print Receipt. 

4.     A receipt will be provided listing the items that you have returned. 

Please note: the self-service machines will not automatically show if the items you returned were overdue.  Please select Account Info from the options on screen to see any charges that you may have.

There is also a book drop off point in the student hub Stoke campus next to the click and collect bookshelves. No need to check books in here