FindIt@Bham

Most of the books on the open shelves in our libraries can be borrowed. The exception is if they are marked as "For reference only" or "For library use only" inside the front cover and the FindIt@Bham record.

You can borrow books using the self-issue machines (right) in the Main Library and the Barnes Library, or take them to a lending desk.

Loan periods

Books are issued for a week, unless they are high demand (see below). They will renew automatically overnight, extending the due date by a day, unless:

• someone else requests the book;
• you have a large amount of fines;
• your library account expires at the end of your course.

You can login to check your loans on FindIt@Bham. You will also be sent emails to let you know that the item is due back so it is important to check your university email account regularly.

High demand:  If you request an item and other people have requested it as well, it will be issued to you for 48 hours instead of a week.

See our Borrowing and returning books and journals webpage for more information.

When a book you need is out on loan to someone else, you can request it by following these steps:

• Sign in to FindIt@Bham in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
• Select Check for current availability:  

• Select Request physical item:

• Complete the form and select Request. Use Pickup Location to select the University of Birmingham library you would like to collect the item from:

• You will see a confirmation screen advising you of your position in the request queue:

• You will receive an email when your requested item is ready to collect. If other people have requested too you will only be able to borrow it for 48 hours. In the Main Library, items are held on the shelves in the Library Information Centre on the ground floor. Make sure you issue the book to yourself using our self-issue machines.

About 80% of our stock is in the Research Reserve, where items are available on request. See Requesting Research Reserve items for more information.

If a book is showing as available on FindIt@Bham, but you cannot find it on the shelves, let the front desk know or contact us. If the book is missing we may be able to replace it.

If there is a book that you need and we do not have it on FindIt@Bham you can:

• Recommend that we buy it for library stock using the MoreBooks@Bham online form. Note that this service is for taught students and postgraduate research students (PGRs).
• Obtain it from another library using the Interlibrary Loans service.