Request material for the Library (information for students)

How to request reading list items

Most key texts for a course or books which are on reading lists should be made available for you in the Library.  If they are not, or if they are not available in sufficient numbers,  please let us know.

You can request the Library purchase reading list books by -

• submitting a recommendation for order using our online form.
  • on the form under "Type of Request", select "Reading list item".
     
• either in person, or by email or phone to your local Service Desk at the Edinburgh Campus (telephone 0131 451 3577) or at the Scottish Borders Campus (telephone 01896 89 2185)

• asking your lecturer to request the book on your behalf.

Once we have requests for reading lists items, its our policy to buy at least one copy of each course book for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. We usually buy additional copies for large classes, or where there is evidence of demand from lending records. We also consider purchasing eBooks for large classes or distance learning courses.
 

How to request non-reading list items

Books and eBooks

Books which are not on a reading list but which are needed for research, dissertations, theses,  projects or for general reading can be requested by:

• submitting a recommendation for order using our online form.
  • on the form under "Type of Request", select "Non-reading list item".

Non-reading list book requests will be forwarded automatically to your School's Library Representative for approval. 

See our newly published books page for request ideas.
 

Journals

There is a separate Library budget for journals. Suggestions for new journals should be forwarded to your School's Library Representative for discussion within the School.  Because of the high rate of price increases for academic journals, funds for new subscriptions are limited. There is a timetable for consultation and managing decisions on journal subscriptions. This is aimed at achieving the best range of subscriptions within the available budget and at introducing increased flexibility and choice to Schools.

What happens to your book/eBook orders?

Orders are normally placed with our supplier on the day we receive the request information. Items ordered for the Library are shown in the catalogue as "On Order" a few days after the order is placed. Most orders are received within a few weeks, but we cannot guarantee this for any particular item.

When books are received from our suppliers, they are catalogued and print items are prepared for shelving, normally within the week. New print books are displayed in the Library for a week and books which have been received within the last 4 weeks can also be seen by clicking on the 'New Books' tab in the catalogue.

About the budget

Each academic School is allocated a budget for the purchase of library materials to support learning, teaching and research, with each School having a School book fund for the purchase of non-reading list items. Reading list items, digital extracts (scans) and journals are purchased from central Library funds in most cases.