In response to concerns raised by HSC students, the library have announced that they will soon be rolling out unlimited book and DVD renewals for all UEA students, staff, and external borrowers!
For lots of students, the current library renewal system can be quite inconvenient. For students who are often off on placement, or for those with a disability, getting to campus to return books even though they may not have been requested can prove to be quite difficult. Until now, unlimited renewals could only be granted through appealing to the library to join a select scheme, however in order to remain fair to all of our students (and cut out on a lot of manually applied and confusing exceptions) they have now agreed to introduce it universally.
This is of course absolutely fantastic news, meaning that students in these groups as well as those students working ‘at a distance’ will all be able to take out books for as long as they need them, so long as they’ve not been requested for use by another student.
As a by-product of this change, the library have understandably also decided to reduce the standard loan period from 14 days to seven days. Although this does mean that you’ll need to remember to renew your books more frequently, the benefit of this is that those requesting a book will be able to access it in a week, cutting the current waiting time in half and hopefully ensuring that you are able to take out the books needed for your weekly seminars much more easily. In order to encourage the prompt return of items that may be required by other students, the fines limit for borrowing rights will subsequently be reduced from £10 to £5, to ensure that people don’t take advantage of the new system if others are in need. The rates themselves will remain the same as currently.
The library have also proposed a change in courtesy notices. Currently, if your book is requested or due for renewal, you’ll be notified two days beforehand. To reflect the new system, however, you’ll now get an email three days beforehand, giving you a little bit more notice to make sure you remember to renew in time!
In addition to having unlimited access to all books, including High Demand copies, you’ll also be able to rent DVDs in the same manner. The library have also said they’ll be trying to source e-book alternatives for items in high demand, and failing this they are looking at acquiring more physical copies in an attempt to ensure that you can access the books you need, when you need them.
Finally, we understand that despite these changes, it may still be difficult for placement users and those with additional needs to return requested books on time. The library have noted that they will continue to offer support in this respect, and that ‘if any of your books are recalled and you have difficulty returning them by the new date, please telephone the Library Helpdesk as soon as possible for advice.’