Finding Books
Printed books are on the second and third floors of the Library. Use Library Search to find out if we have a copy in our collection. Once you have found the book on Library Search make a note of the class number and the floor of the Library where you can find it. Clicking on the Map It link to show a map of where the book should be on the shelves.
If the book is not in the Library collection, you can ask Library and Learning Services to purchase it or you can request it via our Inter-library Loans service.
Borrowing and renewing books
All current students and staff can borrow up to 35 books using the self-service machines which are on the second and ground floors of the Library.
Books are issued for 7 days and automatically renewed if they have not been requested by another Library user and there are no problems with your Library Account. There is a limit of 26 renewals, you can see how many times a book has been renewed by logging into your Library Account.
We will email you if a book you've borrowed hasn't been renewed. If this happens you'll need to return the book by the due date included in the email either in person or by post.
Please note fines of £1.00 per day apply for items that are returned late and have been reserved by another user, with charges applying all year round.
Postal loans in the UK
If you are a part-time student, on a distance learning course, on your placement or have a disability or additional need, you can ask Library staff to post books out to you. If you are outside the UK, please contact your Information Specialist.
To request a postal loan check Library Search to make sure that we have the book in stock and then complete the online request form.
Returning Books
You can return books using the self-service machines in the Library or by using the external book return box. You can also return books by post but you will need to pay the return postage. All posted books should be sent to:
Library User Services Team
Library and Learning Services
Aston University
Aston Triangle
Birmingham
B4 7ET
Remember you are responsible for the safe return of the item. If an item is lost while it's still on your Library account you'll need to pay for its replacement. The cost will be the full replacement cost of the current edition from a Library supplier.
Reserving a book
If all copies of the book you want are out on loan then you can reserve a copy via Library Search. You can have 8 reservations at any one time. If you have fines to pay of over £20 or restrictions on your Library account you won't be able to reserve books.
Print Journals
There is a small collection of print journals on the second floor. However, most of our printed journals are kept in the Library store. If you would like to borrow a store title please search for it and use the details to fill in the form to request a journal volume/issue from the Library Store Your request will be available to collect from the Library Help Desk within 2 working days and you will receive an email telling you when it's available to collect.
Serviced Scanning
If you're a part-time, distance learning student or placement student you can ask for scanned copies of articles from journals and chapters from books to be made on your behalf. These will be emailed to your Aston email address. In order to request a scan you will need to check on Library Search to make sure the book or journal is available at Aston. If it isn't on Library Search you will need to use the Inter-library Loan service instead.
Use the scanning request form to make a request. As a typed signature is not acceptable under Copyright Law you must either print the form out blank and complete it, including a written signature, or complete it online and sign it digitally.
Once signed scan the form and either post it to the address on the form, email as an attachment to library@aston.ac.uk or return the form in person to the Help Desk on the ground floor of the Library.
REMEMBER:
- we need a written signature or a digital signature to process any request for scanning.
- You may only request one article from any one issue of a journal, or one reasonable length chapter from a book.
- Requests for multiple articles or chapters from the same issue/book are not permitted due to copyright legislation.
- Serviced scanning costs 5p per page.
- Charges will be added to your Library record to be paid at the end of your course of study or when the amount reaches £50.