Borrowing resources
Borrowing resources
Many of our resources are available for the standard loan period shown below. Some of our most popular resources have a shorter loan period to make sure they remain accessible at peak times. These are indicated by a label on the spine at our Swansea Campuses, or a coloured label at our Carmarthen and Lampeter Campus.
Standard loan period
| Undergraduates | 3 weeks | |
| Taught postgraduates | 3 weeks | |
| Distance learning postgraduates | 6 weeks | |
| Research postgraduates | 6 weeks | |
| University staff | 6 weeks | |
| SCONUL Access | 3 weeks | |
| Libraries Together Passport | 3 weeks |
Special loan periods
Please note that special loan items are not borrowable by SCONUL Access and Libraries Together Passport members.
| Limited loan / Red band | 1 week | |
| Restricted loan / Green band | 2 days | |
| Short loan / Yellow band | Overnight – non renewable | |
| Blue band | 3 hours – non renewable | |
| Reference | Library use only, not borrowable | |
| Journals | Library use only, not borrowable | |
| Teaching Practice | 6 weeks | |
| Laptops and computer equipment | 1 week |
How many items can I borrow?
The maximum number of resources you may borrow at any one time is shown below:
| Undergraduates | 15 | |
| Postgraduates and Researchers | 20 | |
| University Staff | 30 | |
| SCONUL Access | 5 | |
| Libraries Together Passport | 5 |
Finding resources
The easiest way to find resources is to use our catalogue. Once you have discovered an item that you are interested in, you need to make a note of its location and class number. Our libraries use the Dewey Decimal System, but please note that there may also be separate locations for special collections on some campuses.
Self service
Self-service machines are available which will allow you to borrow and return items, and pay charges using a credit or debit card. Once you have chosen the items you wish to borrow, take them with your card to the self-service machine, where you will be issued with a receipt showing the date of return.
Postal loans for Distance Learners
Distance learners may be eligible to use our postal loans service. Please check here for further details. Please note that this service is only available to those students registered as Distance Learners and studying through our Lampeter Campus.
What if I can’t find it?
If our libraries do not stock the material you require, please use our Need More? service. We can request the material you require from another library, or purchase copies for stock.
Many UWTSD students and staff can also take advantage of borrowing schemes to join other library services throughout the UK. Please visit Using Other Libraries for further details.
Completing and extending your studies
You will be asked to return all materials on loan and clear any outstanding charges prior to your graduation.
If you are granted an extension, this will need to be confirmed officially and recorded with the Registry before your library access can also be extended.