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Borrowing Material FAQ

As a member of the Library you are entitled to borrow material from our lending collections. Simply take the items to the Library Service Desk and a member of library staff will issue them out to your card. You will not be able to borrow material if you have forgotten your matriculation card.

How do I find out what the Library stocks?

The Library Catalogue provides your main point of access to library collections and your borrowing record. It includes all books, journals, dissertations, DVDs, videos, audiotapes, and slides kept in the library, and is easily searchable by title, author, artist and keyword.

Our catalogue is available for anyone to search over the Internet, both on and off-campus. It is also available at dedicated computers called OPACs (Online Public Access Catalogues) within the Main Library.

How do I search the Library Catalogue?

If you are unsure how to search our catalogue, or if you would like to learn how to search it more effectively, we have produced a number of demo movies for you to view. Remember that library staff are always happy to help if you need help when using the catalogue in the library.

What will the Library Catalogue tell me?

The catalogue will tell you how many copies of each item we have, how many of them are currently out on loan and when they are due for return, how many of them are available to borrow, and where to find them.

How do I locate items on the Library shelves?

Each item in the Lending collection is assigned a shelfmark. It is this number that is displayed in the item's catalogue record and on its spine. The shelfmark relates to the main subject of the item in question. Assigning each number a subject-related shelfmark in this way ensures that items on the same subject sit together on the shelves.

When you have found an item that interests you in the catalogue, make a note of its shelfmark. Then simply locate it on the shelves - all shelfmarks run in numerical order from 000 through to 999. There are signs on the ends of each bay in the Library to help you orientate yourself.

DVDs and videos are each assigned a number and are arranged in numerical order on the mezzanine level of the Main Library. Current journals can be found on the upper level of the Main Library, with past bound issues shelved on the mezzanine level or in the Mackintosh Library depending on date.

If the catalogue states that an item is in the Bookstore, Dissertation, Temp. Ref. or Mack. Ref. collections you will need to request it from the Library Service Desk.

Our Subject Guides provide useful shelfmarks in your subject area, to help you browse the shelves if you are not looking for a specific title.

If you have difficulty locating items, just ask a member of library staff for help.

What should I do if the catalogue says an item is available but it's not on the shelves?

Items in the Library are sometimes put back in the wrong place by other students. Have a good look around the surrounding shelves - the item in question may be near to where it should be. Ask a member of library staff to help you, and to check if the item is on the returns trolley waiting to be re-shelved.

If not located after routine library tidying and shelving a missing item form can be filled out. This means a member of staff will check over a period of 3 weeks, if the item is located you will be informed. If it is not found re-ordering the item will be considered by the Academic Liason Librarians.

Bookstore, Dissertation, Temp. Ref. and Mack. Ref. items are not kept on the open shelves, and you will need to request them from the Library Service Desk.

How many items can I borrow at any one time?

The number of items you can borrow at any one time will depend on your category of readership. Journals and dissertations are reference only and cannot be borrowed.

Undergraduate 15 Books 4 DVDs
Postgraduate 30 Books 4 DVDs
Staff 30 Books 4 DVDs
External Borrower 5 Books 0 DVDs

*

How long can I borrow items for?

The due date will be stamped inside the front of the item. You should renew or return your items by this due date or risk a fine. You can check your due dates at any time through the My Account function of the Library Catalogue.

The following loan periods apply:

Books 3 Weeks
DVDs 1 Week
CD-Roms 3 Weeks
Reading List Items Reference Only
Journals Reference Only
Dissertations Reference Only

Can all items be borrowed?

The following categories of material are for reference only and cannot be borrowed. They can however be consulted in either the Main Library or Mackintosh Library - just ask at the Library Service Desk for items not on the open shelves. The Library Catalogue will tell you if an item is located in any of these collections.

Can I reserve items already on loan?

If a title is currently on loan, the due date will be shown in the Library Catalogue and you will have the option to reserve the item for yourself so that it is kept for you when it is returned.

Simply click on the Request button in the item's catalogue record, enter the number underneath the barcode on your GSA matriculation card, and follow the on-screen instructions.

You can track the progress of your reservation request at any time by logging in to My Account. When your reserved items are ready for collection, you will receive an email notification.

How do I renew my items?

When your items are due for return you can renew them at the Library Service Desk. You do not have to bring the books into the Library, only your library card.

Are there circumstances in which I will not be able to renew my items?

You will not be able to renew your items if you have fines of £5.00 or over, or if someone else has placed a reservation on them. For this reason you should not leave renewing your items to the very last minute, as you will incur a fine if the renewal is blocked and you can't return your books immediately.

You can renew your books through My Account a maximum of twice, after which you will need to bring them into the Library for renewal.

How do I return my items?

Items should be returned at the Library Service Desk in the Main Library. Make sure to hand your items directly to a member of staff - otherwise they may be accidentally reshelved whilst still on your account and you may start to receive overdue notices.

You can also return your items via the red book bin inside the entrance doors to the Main Library between 08.30 - 10.00 am.

Will I be fined if I return my items late?

If items on your card are not returned by the due date you will accrue a fine. We will notify you of this via your Glasgow School of Art email. You will receive 2 email notifications, followed by a printed notice which will be posted to your term-time address.

Overdue books and DVD's will incur a fine of 20p per item per day, up to a maximum of £5 per item.

You will not be able to borrow when your fines reach £5.00. All outstanding fines must be cleared at the end of each academic year.

What if I am ill and cannot make it into the Library to return or renew my items?

If you are ill and cannot make it into the library to return your items, remember you can renew them twice through My Account on the Library Catalogue. If this is not possible contact Library Admin library@gsa.ac.uk

What should I do if I lose an item?

If you have lost an item, you will be asked to pay the cost of a replacement or a minimum charge of £15.00. Have a thorough search at home as items often turn up, but if you are sure you have lost a library item, you should inform a member of library staff as soon as possible. You will be charged any outstanding fines on the item up until it is reported to library staff.

Can I recommend an item for purchase?

We welcome purchase suggestions from both GSA staff and students.

How do I find out about new books to the Library?

You can view information about new books in the Library for your subject, along with cover images, at the links below. You can also sign up for RSS feeds of new books in our News section.

A new books display is also available on the ground floor of the Main Library. These books can be borrowed immediately.

Can I borrow books from other libraries?

Depending on your category of readership, there may be other libraries that you can access and borrow material from. This is an excellent way of supplementing the collection in the GSA Library, especially if you are researching subjects outside of GSA subject disciplines. See our Other Libraries section for information.