| All members (including student members) can borrow books through the Library. A free postal service is available for members who are unable to visit the Library: members must bear the cost of return postage to the Library, by recorded delivery. A Library-only membership is available to non-members. Online Library Catalogue:
This can be searched by anyone, but certain features and services are only available to members registered and logged in to the Web site. Members of other engineering institutions can still borrow books, but they are asked to contact the Library first. A Library-only membership is available to BCS members. The online catalogue now shows status information, so users can see immediately whether a title is already on loan, and allows many self-service functions to be performed including reserving a book and checking your loan history. These self-service functions require members to be logged in to the Web site.
More information on the online catalogue. Periodicals listed on the online catalogue cannot be borrowed, but photocopies of articles can be supplied for a small charge using the Library Document Supply Service. Book Loans:
To borrow a book held in the Library, use the Online Catalogue to locate and request it by clicking on the "Request" button. UK members may borrow up to 10 books at a time, members resident outside the UK may borrow up to 3 books. Loans are for a period of 4 weeks, and may be extended if the book is not required by another reader. After 5 renewals (usually approximately 6 months) we will want to see the book in the Library reading room but you can still continue to borrow it after this time if no one else has reserved it. Book Renewals:
Members can renew their own books by logging onto the website and clicking on the "My Stuff" button from the Online Catalogue page. Alternatively, book renewals can be requested using the online Loan Renewals Form. A membership number and email address are compulsory. Barcode numbers of the books can be listed on the form, however if the barcode numbers are not known, there is a "renew all my books" box instead. Replies to email requests using this form are sent immediately back to the library user. Telephone calls/fax requests to renew books are still applicable Book Delivery:
Books will be sent by 1st class post and, if they are currently available for loan, should arrive within 2-4 working days. If you are an overseas customer, delivery time depends on the postal service in your country but is usually estimated at between a few days to a couple of weeks. Inter-library Loans:
Items not held in the Library can be ordered through the Document Supply Inter-library loans service for a charge, using the External Loan Request Form. This service is for members only and can take up to two weeks to process depending on the availability of the item at the requested library. The charge is £10.00 per book. A payment form is sent out along with the book, which needs to be signed and returned with payment, to the address on the form.
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