Using the Library

You will need your University ID card and PIN number to be able to borrow items from the Library. For Short Course students and External members  we will make you a Library card when you join which you can use instead of a University ID card. 

To set up your PIN for the first time or if you have forgotten your PIN please follow the instructions on this page.

We have two self issue machines on the ground floor which allow you to borrow and return books, CDs, Blu-rays and DVDs. 

Laptops can be borrowed from the Lapsafe opposite the main entrance. (Available to Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate students). 

If you wish to place a hold, check the catalogue record for the item to see when it is due for return and if other people have reserved it already. This will give you an idea of when you will be able to borrow it. You may also want to check if we have a digital copy available: e-book or streamed video. You can check on the Library catalogue but select Search Plus rather than Library Search from the drop down menu. For films search Box of Broadcasts or Kanopy.  

We will e-mail you when it is available for you to borrow. You can also login to your account on the Library catalogue to see whether it is available yet.

If you have any overdue items you will not be able to reserve an item for collection.  

Items need to be collected within seven days.  After that time they will be reshelved or offered to the next person who has placed a hold.

Please note that it may be necessary for us to renew books for a borrower who can't come to campus and this may affect a hold you have placed. 

You can renew most items, however if another user has placed a hold on the item or you have fines then you won't be able to renew. We have maximum numbers of renewals to ensure other users can access an item. Please e-mail us if you are self isolating or cannot travel to campus library@aub.ac.uk

For individuals with items that were borrowed in March 2020 we have been in touch and ask you to return these items. These items cannot be renewed.  

If you have overdue items your account will be restricted and you will not be able to borrow, or place a hold. If you need to self isolate or cannot come to the Library to return books as a direct result of COVID-19 please e-mail us library@aub.ac.uk (You will also need to let the University know if you need to self isolate by e-mailing covid@aub.ac.uk)

We ask you to remember when your item is due for return and we help you to do this in a number of ways: 

• Log in to your record on the Library catalogue https://libsearch.aub.ac.uk/ (top right) and check when your items are due for return or renew from here. You can download an iCal file to sync with your calendar if you have an Apple device. 
• Check with us via e-mail library@aub.ac.uk 
• We send you an e-mail reminder to your AUB e-mail account 3 days before an item is due for return. The Library takes no responsibility for the non-receipt of e-mails or letters regarding overdue items: it is your responsibility to return items on time. 

If items are returned late we will send you a number of reminder e-mails. You will not be able to borrow new items from the Library if you have overdue items. This is to avoid you getting additional fines and because Library items will be needed by other users. 

The Library charges fines for the late return of items. Fines are incurred for overdue items on all days the Library is open. Fines need to be paid before any items can be borrowed or renewed. You can pay your Library fines by card at the Library counter, via the Self-Service machine or online. For further guidance watch this short video: How to pay your fine online. If you have a problem with an overdue item please contact the Library at the counter, by e-mail library@aub.ac.uk or phone 01202 363256

If you have mitigating circumstances we will ask your tutor to confirm the dates affected, we do not need to know why you have mitigating circumstances. 

Please take care of the items you borrow from the Library. If an item you are returning is damaged please e-mail us to let us know library@aub.ac.uk

If you damage Library items then you may be asked to pay for a replacement. Library staff will assess the level of damage and decide whether the item needs to be replaced. 

If you lose an item please let us know. We give you 2 weeks to have a good look for it and if it is not found in that time we will then ask you to pay for a replacement copy. The replacement value is calculated when an item is reported missing. Replacement costs may be more than the original price paid by the Library, particularly in the case of rare or valuable items.