Borrowing books

Queens' students can borrow up to 10 items for 14 days (Queens' staff members can borrow for 28 days, with automatic renewals), using the library's self-issue terminal which is situated in the library entrance area. 

  • Items can be renewed 3 times, for a further 14 days each time. This can be done by logging onto your online library account via iDiscover.
  • Books can also be reserved by logging into your library account on iDiscover and then using the catalogue to search. All library items are subject to recall by other users at any time during full term.
  • Recall, reservation and overdue notices are sent by email, so please keep an eye on your account. 
  • Fines for overdue books are added to your account(25p per day per book; 50p for recalled items and DVDs). You can pay your fines via iDiscover, and unpaid fines will be added to your college bill.
  • Over the vacation periods (Christmas, Easter and summer) loan periods are extended from the end of one term to the beginning of the next term so you can take books home for the holidays.
  • If you need more than 10 books at once, please ask a member of staff at the enquiry desk to issue books to you.

There are a series of automatic blocks that are applied to your library account once certain criteria are reached (i.e. you have too many fines or overdue books). This will prevent you from using self-service machines to borrow outside of staffed hours. For more information about this and how you can borrow when these blocks are active, visit our Automatic blocks help page. Queens' Library staff are always happy to answer any questions on this subject and to help you to remove the blocks from your account. 9 times out of 10 you can still borrow from us when you have a block on your account, so if you have this problem please come to the desk during staffed hours or let us know by email.