Part-Time/Distance Learners/Work Based Learners Service

Provides a postal service for books and journal articles which will be sent world-wide to Northumbria students who are studying part-time, by distance learning or are work based learners.  It operates Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Enquiries or requests made outside these hours will be dealt with on the next working day. 

You must have a valid Northumbria University Smartcard. Details of how to register online for a Smartcard will be sent to you by your School.

Book Loans

When you check our library catalogue please look to see if electronic copies are available. Accessing electronic versions of our books or journals could save you time and postage costs. 

• The catalogue displays where the item is located and how many copies there are. The catalogue will also show if it is on loan and if so, when it is due for return.  
• Dissertations can be borrowed for 2 weeks but cannot be renewed. 
• Reference items cannot be borrowed. However, we may be able to photocopy parts of these materials within UK copyright law.

If the book you require is out on loan, it will be reserved for you by the Service and posted out as soon as it is returned to the Library. Please do not reserve books yourself via the catalogue or they will be processed for you to collect in person. Instead use the Book Request Form and email to the service.

Borrowing Books 
You may borrow up to 10 four week loan books. Postgraduate students or students in the final year of their studies may borrow up to 15 items. To allow for postage, 7 day books will be issued initially for 4 weeks and 4 week loans for 6 weeks. Items can then be renewed up to 6 times for the normal  loan period, as long as they have not been reserved by another borrower. If an item is reserved, it must be returned as soon as possible to avoid fines being charged. The University will pay the postage to send books to you, but you must pay the cost of returning the items. It is recommended that you return books by recorded delivery, or obtain a "proof of postage" certificate, available from any Post Office. You can of course, return items in person to either University Library if you are able.

Books can be renewed using My Account on the Library catalogue. You will need your Library number and PIN. If you have lost or forgotten your PIN please contact the Service.

Overdue Books
Fines are charged on a daily basis - 20p for 7 day loans and 15p for 4 week loans. Fines can be paid by debit or credit card for amounts over £1.  This can be done on-line via Blackboard or My Northumbria, or during staffed services, payment can be made over the telephone  0191 227 4736.

All correspondence regarding overdue items will be sent to your Northumbria email.

A reminder will be emailed 2 days before the items are due to be returned. After 14 days a final reminder will be emailed. The use of Library facilities will then be suspended.  NB.  The Library is under no obligation to inform you about overdue items - it is your responsibility to ensure books are returned or renewed by the due date.

If the item is still not returned, then the matter will be referred to the University's Finance Office and you will be sent an invoice for the replacement book cost. A non-refundable handling charge and fines will also be charged.

Photocopying Service

Journals Articles from journals available in printed format can be photocopied and sent to you, providing your request does not contravene copyright legislation.

• Complete a Request for Article form for each item required - print, sign & post to the Service, electronic signatures are not accepted.
• You will be charged £3.00 for up to 10 A4 pages and £5.50 for 11 A4 pages and over.
• Payment should be made as soon as the article is received. Payment can be made by debit or credit card for amounts over £1.  This can be done on-line via Blackboard or My Northumbria, or during staffed services, payment can be made over the telephone 0191 227 4736.
• Please note that failure to pay promptly may affect future services to you.

Journals not in stock at Northumbria University can be obtained through the Inter-Library Loan Service. The service is offered free to Northumbria staff, Postgraduate Research and Masters students, and Undergraduate students from semester 2 of year 2, who are studying at the Newcastle campuses or who are enrolled on a distance learning programme. 

• Submit an Inter Library Loan request using the online form available in the MyLibrary section of MyNorthumbria.  Select the relevant form for the type of item you require:book, journal, thesis or conference paper. If you are unsure please ask at a Library Enquiry Desk or call Library Enquiries on 0191 2274125 or email ask4help@northumbria.ac.uk. 

SCONUL Access Scheme
SCONUL Access Scheme is a co-operative venture between higher education libraries which enables part-time and distance learning students to borrow materials from other libraries in the scheme and also allows access to a limited range of computer facilities. If you would like to join this scheme, please contact the Service.

Northumbria Skills Plus

Skills plus provides training materials and help guides that you can use to develop your information, study and IT skills.

http://nuweb.northumbria.ac.uk/library/skillsplus/index.html