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Library Guides

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Accessing the Resources of Other Libraries

You can request a copy of any book or journal article not currently held by the University Libraries by using the free Document Delivery service. The Document Delivery request form is available at the top of the LibrarySearch page. There is a limit of five requests, but no overall limit on requests.

Click here to find out more about the Document Delivery service.  

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SCONUL Access is a scheme which allows many university library users to borrow or use books and journals at other libraries which belong to the scheme. 170 universities and other higher-education institutions in the United Kingdom participate in SCONUL Access.

SCONUL Access enables part-time, distance, and placement students, as well as staff and researchers and taught postgraduates, to borrow material from other university libraries or simply to use the libraries as a place of study. Undergraduate students may use libraries within the scheme for reference purposes only.

Click here to find out more about the scheme, who is eligible, how it works, and to apply. 

Searching Other Libraries' Catalogues

Before visiting another library, especially if you will be travelling any distance, you should check their library catalogue to make sure that the items you want to use will be available for you to look at. 

All university library catalogues are available online. Information about some of the main catalogues, and joint catalogues, are listed below.

Library Hub Discover allows you to search across a database of 172 UK national, academic and specialist libraries, including libraries such as those of Oxford and Cambridge as well as the British Library, to locate materials for learning and research. 

Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre (formally  City Business Library)

The Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre (SBREC) is the leading public library in the UK for free and current business information. It is based in the Guildhall, in the heart of the City of London. The SBREC has both electronic and print business resources that are available to use, free of charge.

The Centre is open for in-person research Tues-Thurs, 10am-4pm and for remote support Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm.

You will find the British Library's Business & IP Centre at St Pancras.

On site access to Electronic Resources: primarily databases of market research, company, macroeconomic and other data and documents. Note: restrictions may apply to the output of any search results (in particular, the downloading or emailing of full text documents)

It is important to note that before using the British Library, you will need to obtain a Reader Pass. Specific enquiries should be addressed directly to the Centre.

You can search the British Library's catalogue online here: http://explore.bl.uk