Using your Library

How to borrow

You can browse the book shelves in the Library to find items you want to borrow, or check on Discovery for availability.

Available items are located on the upper floor book shelves and arranged by class number.

The Library Floor guide shows what floor the class numbers are located.

You will need your TUSC to borrow an item

Borrowing periods and limits 

Please note: If a 4 week loan is reserved by another user, the loan period will automatically change to a 1 week loan and renewals will not be possible, this is to ensure the fair circulation of resources.

Issue your items using the self service units located on the Ground floor of the Library in front corner of the building, Student Union side. To borrow items you will need your TUSC, follow the on screen instructions.  Please ask a member of staff if you would like any help.

Discovery searches our library collections and many of our academic databases simultaneously, to quickly provide relevancy-ranked, credible library results through a single search box.  Use it to find books, articles, and more. You will be linked directly to the full text of materials that match your search terms, whenever possible. Use the link  below to find out more about Discovery.

Renewing items

Items (except iPads) are automatically renewed on your account. The maximum renewal date, calculated as 196 days from the date the item was first issued, will be displayed on your account.

If the resource has been reserved by another library user, renewals will not be possible and the loan period will be reduced to a 1 week loan. You will receive an email notification to alert you, your  account will be blocked if the item is not returned.

An item will not be renewed if:

• Your account is blocked due to an overdue loan
• The item is an Inter Library Loan - see the Inter Library Loans
• The item has been reserved by another borrower
• The item is an iPad loan

When the maximum renewal date is reached, the book must be returned. if you do want to keep the book for longer, you must return the item and borrow it again.

Returning items?

• You can return items at the self service machines located on the Ground floor of the Library, during library opening times.
• Choose the Return option on the self service machine screen
• Place the item/s on the glass plate as shown on screen
• The screen will show you which bin to place the item in
• Choose if you want a receipt

Postal returns

If you wish to post your items please send to the address below and remember to get proof of postage.

The Library                                                   

Student & Library Services

Teesside University

Middlesbrough

Tees Valley

TS1 3BX                                     

Book missing from the shelves?

If a book is listed on Discovery as 'Available' but you cannot locate it on the shelves, please ask a member of staff for help. Library staff will try to locate the book for you and complete a Missing book form. If the book is shown as being located in the Campus Store, you can reserve this item in the normal way, see Reservations.

If you wish to inform the library about a book you think is missing you can complete the notification below.

Notifications & blocks

Courtesy messages are sent 2 days before an item's due date and on the due date. Overdue messages are sent 7 days after the due date (or 1 day after the due date for iPads).

Items that are overdue (not returned or renewed before the due date) will trigger an automatic borrowing block on your library account. This block prevents further borrowing of library resources. Blocks are added 14 days after the due date .

The Library is based over 4 floors, click on the image below to see a larger version of the floor plan of the Library floors to discover:

• Which book class numbers are on each floor
• Types of study space
• Collections
• Tutorial rooms

The Campus Store is in a separate building at Middlesbrough Campus, items held here are often older, less current items.

The Reservation service enables you to reserve books held in the Campus Store to collect from the Library, using your User name as shown on your TUSC.  Please bear with us whilst we aim to satisfy your request as soon as we are able. You must wait for your notification saying your item is ready to collect before you come to the Library. Please let us know if you no longer need your items.

Store journals

To request journals which are not available online please see journals access for more information.

How long can I keep the items I borrow?

• All books are 4 week loans (except reference items)
• If an item you have on loan is reserved by another user, the loan period will be reduced to a 1 week loan
• Items (except iPads) are automatically renewed on your account. The maximum renewal date, calculated as 196 days from the date the item was first issued

Why can't I borrow?

If fines or charges remain outstanding for 2 days or more or loaned items are more than 2 days overdue,  a stop will be placed on your account preventing new loans, reservations and ILL requests. You can still renew your current loans as long as they have not been reserved by another customer.

You will be prevented from borrowing if your library account has expired. Please see a member of Library staff for further help.

What if the item I need is not in stock?

If there’s a book you’d like to read which the Library does not have you can send the details to us using the More Books suggestion form and we will consider buying it for the Library.

The Library may be able to obtain the book you require via the Inter Library Loans Service. This service is available to some categories of students and to university staff. For more information see Inter Library Loans

Can someone borrow a book on my behalf?

If you would like someone else to collect items on your behalf, you need to provide them with a signed letter of authorisation stating what permission has been granted, you can use the letter of authority available from the link below. In all cases the third party must present your TUSC with every transaction.

To cancel your TUSC (Teesside University Smart Card) and order a replacement (£5 charge), visit MyTUSC using the link below, you will need your User name and password. Replacement TUSCs can be collected from the Student Life Building.