- The Library

 Summer Vacation Loans 2013

Please review the information below for details of the loan conditions associated with 28-day and 7-day loan items during the upcoming Summer vacation period.  These are the same conditions we have had since Summer 2010.  Library staff will be working throughout the Summer vacation period to help users to renew and return Library loans.

 
Can I borrow Library books during the Summer vacation?

You can borrow Library stock during the Summer vacation.  However, there are differences in the loan period for your books depending upon whether they are 7-day or 28-day loan items.  If you borrow Library stock at the end of semester or during the vacation, take care to review the due date for your books: check the date-stamp if it is issued by staff from the Library Issue Desk.  If you use the Self-Issue machines, either take a receipt that indicates the due date for the books, or write the due date on the date stamp inside the book yourself.

You can review your borrower account online at any time through the Your Use of the Library weblink to check the due dates and try to renew your loans.  If you are still in doubt, you can contact Issue Desk staff in person at the desk during staffed periods throughout the vacation or alternatively, call the Issue Desk directly via: 01225 385000.  Email queries sent via the Ask a Librarian service will also reach Issue Desk staff where necessary

It is the borrower's responsibility to be aware of all the due dates relating to all their Library loans and to return or renew those loans by the due dates.

If ever in doubt about when your books are due please contact the Issue Desk as soon as possible to prevent large fines!

All email correspondence relating to overdue books and user reservations will be sent to your BUCS email account during the vacation as normal.

 
For how long can I borrow a 7-day loan book during the Summer vacation?

Any 7-day loan books that are issued from the last week of Semester 2  will be due back in the Library in the first week of October.  7-day loan items have a pink date label and pink tape on the spine.

For example, if you borrow a book on Wednesday 29 May in last week of Semester 2, 2012-2013, it will be loaned for the entire Summer vacation and will be due back during the first week of Semester 1, 2013-2014.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If another user has placed a reservation on an item, or your Library fines are in excess of £10, you will not be able to renew the item and it will be due for return before the vacation begins.

Issue dates for 7-day Loan Items and corresponding due date

Date of Issue/Renewal of 7-day loans
 Due for Return on or before
 From Friday 24 May until Thursday 26 September  Wednesday 2nd October

 

Recall emails will be sent if a 7-day loan item is reserved during this loan period, but it is up to the borrower’s goodwill/opportunity whether they return the book before its agreed due date during the summer vacation loan period.


Fines will begin to accrue at the rate of 40p per day once the original due date has passed.  If you renew an existing loan in the last week of semester, the due date will be extended to October.   If you leave the campus before the end of Semester 2, you will need to renew any book loans you are taking with you sometime in the last week of Semester in order to extend the borrowing period over the Summer vacation.  However, if another user has placed a reservation on an item, or your Library fines are in excess of £10, you will not be able to renew the item and it will be due for return before the vacation begins.  Fines will accrue on any overdue items until the loans are renewed or, where necessary, books are returned to the Library.

The advice in this sections relates ONLY to 7-day loan items, please read the next section advising that 28-day loan items remain unchanged during the vacation

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For how long can I borrow a 28-day loan book during the Summer vacation?


All books on the 28-day loan category will always be due back 28 days from being issued or renewed in just the same way as they are during semester-time.  The Summer Vacation period will not affect the 28-day loan period and, with the exception of any University Holidays that fall during the summer period, books will always be due for return or renewal on the first weekday 28 days from the date they were issued.  28-day loan items have a plain white date label on the inside.

These books may be renewed (online, by phone or in person) if:

Fines will accrue at a rate of 20p per day per 28-day loan item once the due date has passed.

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Can I take books overseas during the Summer Vacation?

When you borrow books from the library you are responsible for their safe return to the Library and for maintaining the loan by either regularly renewing your loan or returning it before the due date.  You will need to manage and renew the loan periods for items you take overseas and so you will need to have access to the web to review and renew your loans online or a telephone line in order to contact the Issue Desk at regular intervals.

There is no limit on the number of times you can renew your loans.  However, any user can place a reservation on any of your loans at any time during your loan period.  If this happens, you won't be able to renew the book and extend the loan period.  If another user places a reservation on your loan(s) you will need to return the items to the Library in order to meet this demand.   This is of special importance if you have been renewing 28-day loan items - if they are reserved, they will need to be returned before the current due date.

During the vacation period, all users are liable to the same overdue fines as in semester-time.

Please think carefully about how you will manage your borrower account, renew loans, avoid fines and if necessary return any books required by another reader BEFORE you take library books abroad for the vacation period.  Ask Issue Desk staff for advice before leaving for the vacation if necessary.

 

How can I return books that have been reserved by another user?

If another borrower has reserved a book you have taken away with you during the vacation period, for example a 28-day loan item, the loan period cannot be extended.  In order to avoid fines, you will need to make arrangements to return the book to campus.  You can return the book in person as normal via the book returns slots near the Issue Desk, barring unforseen circumstances, the Library building will be open 24 hours a day as normal throughout the Summer vacation.  The Issue Desk will be staffed 9am - 5pm on weekdays (with the exception of University and Bank Holidays).

You can post books back via the following address:

Library Issue Desk
University of Bath,BATH,
BA2 7AY 

It is recommended that you obtain postal insurance to cover damage or loss of books since you are responsible for loaned items until they are safely returned to the library and discharged from your record.

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How can I renew my loans?

You can renew your loans in three different ways:-
1.    Renew online using the Library website (you can also link to online renewals via the Library homepage):
 

 
2.    Bring the books and your Library card to the Library and use the Self-Issue machines on Level 2 to reissue the books
 
3.    Renew over the telephone on 01225 385000: this is a dedicated 24 hour answerphone service.  Please quote the following information in your message:

PLEASE NOTE: Items may not be renewed if your total fines are over £10 or if another reader has placed a hold (reservation) for the item you have on loan.

Further information on managing your loans and avoiding fines.

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Why is this the Summer Loans policy?

Generally, books limited to the 7 day loan category are those in heavy demand for taught courses and in many cases a 28 day or short loan copy is also available.  Undergraduate students on taught courses are more likely to leave the University for the entire summer period; these summer borrowing arrangements enable students to borrow course texts without the need to renew the loan on a weekly basis and thereby reducing the risk of accruing the large fines associated with the late return of 7-day loans.

Books on a 28-day loan period are more likely to be used by academic staff and postgraduates working in specific research areas.  These users are more likely to be based in and around campus during the vacation period to continue their work.   This policy makes it more likely that the items usually required by staff and researchers will remain on campus during the Summer vacation period.

 
What about Short Loan Collection books?

The loan arrangements for items in the Short Loan Collection (and Reference Only disserations and theses) will be unchanged during the Summer vacation:

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