Reserve Collection

The Library's Reserve Collections contain items in high demand, added to the collection at the suggestion of staff or students. The material held is primarily aimed at students studying taught courses, but any student or member of staff at this University may use the Reserve Collections.

For teaching staff wishing to add material to our Reserve Collections there is a  and a guide to the digitisation of reserve collection stock. Both include relevant copyright information detailing what we can accept.

Reserve collection course readings

Readings and materials for specific courses are held in our reserve collections.  Many of these key texts are now available online following a major programme of digitisation.  Digitised reserve stock can be accessed via  (you must login with your ID & PIN first), anytime, anywhere; helping you study as and when you wish.

In addition to our digitised items, we also still hold course boxes containing photocopies of journal articles, extracts from books, and other material supplied by tutors for a specific course. 

How do I find Reserve items?

All Reserve collection items can be found using the standard WebCat catalogue search. As the number of digitised items in the reserve collections grow, we've also provided information on how best to access digitised/e-reserve items.

Reserve Collections on WebCat

The Reserve Collections option, which appears towards the top of all WebCat screens, is the most efficient way of searching for Reserve material. It enables you to search for items for a specific course or instructor, using either the course code/name, or the instructor's name.

What can be borrowed and for how long?

Three items may be borrowed from the Reserve Collection for up to 3 hours during the day.

From 16:00 you may borrow overnight, or on a Friday for the entire weekend. Items borrowed for the overnight or weekend loan will be due for return by 10:00 the next day (10:00 on Monday for the weekend loan).

Certain library users are entitled to borrow items for the overnight period earlier than normal; usually from 14:30. Examples are:

  • Students with young children
  • Part-time students
  • Students with special needs*

Please ask at the Reserve Collection Loans Desk if you need to use this facility.

* Students registered with the ATS have automatic entitlement to this.

Returning Reserve items

All Reserve items must be returned to the site Library from where they were borrowed. When the Library is open they should be returned to the Loans Desk, or the designated area, if the Loans Desk is closed.

If you need to return Reserve items when the Library is closed there is a returns box outside the entrance to each site Library. Please do not return books here when the Library is open.

Can I renew Reserve items?

You can renew Reserve items providing no-one has placed a booking (see below) on the item. To renew Reserve items you must take them to the Loans Desk of the site Library from where they were borrowed.

You cannot renew these items via WebCat or over the phone.

Booking Reserve material

You can book Reserve material in advance for an overnight/weekend loan by consulting Loans Desk staff at the respective sites. They will place and cancel bookings on your behalf.

Items may be booked as far in advance as you wish. Your booking will be guaranteed for one hour, from 16:00 - 17:00, Monday to Friday*.

* Hartley, 16:00 - 18:00 on Fridays.

What if I return a Reserve item late?

Reserve Collection material is in high demand. The Library and your course colleagues, are extremely keen for you to return all items on time. If you do not return Reserve Collection items on time your Library card will be blocked for one week.

This means you will be prevented from borrowing any material from any of the University Library sites.

This penalty may be extended and an invoice raised for replacements. A £5 admin charge is attached to every invoice raised, which must be paid, whether the items are subsequently returned or not.

Reserve Collections at the Sites

Including contact details for reserve collection staff at each site: