Borrowing & Renewing
Most of our materials are held on the open shelves in our libraries or in stores and can be borrowed. The number of items you can have on loan at one time varies. Users should avail of the Self-Service stations to issue and return items. Items may be recalled earlier than their original due date if requested by another reader.
Contact us
phone: +353 (0)1 716 7627
loan renewal line:+353 (0)1 716 7639
email: libraryinfo@ucd.ie
What to do
if you cannot find a book on the shelf.
How many books can I borrow from the different collections?
| Reader categories | Long Loan | Week Loan | Short Loan1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduates / Adult Education | Number of Loans | 15 | 3 | 3 |
| Duration | 14 Days | 7 Days | 7 days (Short Loan) | |
| Postgraduates | Number of Loans | 30 | 3 | 3 |
| Duration2 | 60 Days | 7 Days | 7 days (Short Loan) | |
| Permanent Academic and Administrative Staff | Number of Loans | 60 | 3 | 3 |
| Duration2 | 60 Days | 7 Days | 7 days (Short Loan) | |
| Casual Staff | Number of Loans | 15 | 3 | 3 |
| Duration | 14 Days | 7 Days | 7 days (Short Loan) | |
| Visiting Academics | Number of Loans | 15 | 3 | 3 |
| Duration | 14 Days | 7 Days | 7 days (Short Loan) | |
| External Borrowers | Number of Loans | 15 | 3 | 3 |
| Duration | 14 Days | 7 Days | 7 days (Short Loan) | |
| SCONUL Borrowers | Number of Loans | 15 | 3 | 3 |
| Duration | 14 Days | 7 Days | 7 days (Short Loan) |
Conditions of use:
- 1Short Loan books are not renewable.
- 2Borrowers with loan duration of 60 days should note items will be recalled if requested by another reader. The due date will revert to 14 days from the date of request and should be returned on or before that revised due date.
The book I want is on loan to someone else, is there anything I can do?
Yes, it is possible to place a request on it. Using this service will help you to borrow books in high demand.
Requests may only be placed on material in Long Loan Collections and already out on loan. The Library recalls the item, and alerts you by e-mail when you can collect it.
You can place a new request on books in three ways:
- Ask at any Library Information Desk.
- Reserve a book using UCD Connect. Select OneSearch from the menu, search and then click to request items out on loan, and login with your UCD login and password if prompted.
- Use OneSearch to find information, click to request items out on loan, and login with your UCD login and password if prompted.
What happens next?
When you place a request on an item it is flagged for you and the current borrower is asked to return it soon.
We will alert you by e-mail when the book has been returned and is available for collection.
The book will be kept for you at the selected Library Information Desk for five days. After that it will be returned to the open shelves.
I tried to place a request and it didn't work
Some of the reasons why a request cannot be placed include:
- Items that are not on loan cannot be reserved.
- If your account has a fine exceeding €10.00 or a message on it.
- Short Loan items cannot be reserved.
- When you already have another copy of the same title on loan you cannot request a longer loan copy at the same time.
Ask at a Library Information Desk if none of these situations apply to you and you are still having problems.
Why have I been told to bring my book back sooner than the date on my receipt?
- For borrowers with 14 day loans: If another person requires a book that you have had out on loan for longer than two weeks, we contact you and recall it. Long loan books cannot be renewed where another user has placed a reservation on it.
- For staff and postgraduates (60 day loans): If someone needs a book that you have on loan, the loan period will be reduced to two weeks and the due date changed. If you have already had the item for two weeks or more we recall it immediately.
Renew your book
If the item is not late then you can renew it
- Go to Your Library Account and log in with your UCD login and password if prompted to do so.
- Click on the check box next to the item or multiple items you want to renew and click on Renew Marked or Renew All.
Renew your book by contacting the Library
- Use our Chat service.
- Call us by phone: +353 (0)1 716 7639.
- Contact us by email at libraryinfo@ucd.ie.
Remember to have your borrower number and the title of the item ready.
Call in person:
- Use the Self-Service machines.
- If there are any problems with using these to renew, enquire at a Library Information Desk.
Renewal limits
The maximum renewal limit is five (four automatic and one manual) provided another reader does not require the item, in which case the item cannot be renewed.
