Borrowing and Managing your Library Account

The College Library provides access to both physical books and a wide range of electronic resources available through the University.

This page covers borrowing, requests, and returns. For guidance on searching for materials in iDiscover and locating items within the Library, please see the Library Collections page.

You can borrow 20 items from Magdalene College Library and up to 200 items across all of the University Libraries.

To borrow items, use the self-service machines located on the Ground Floor or Second Floor. Select ‘Borrow’, scan the barcode on the back of your University card, and place each item on the pad one at a time. Leave items on the pad and ensure each item line is green on the screen before adding the next. When all items have been checked out, tap ‘Finish’ to complete the loan and sign out of your account.

If the security gate sounds when you exit, an item may not have been loaned properly. Please visit the staff desk for assistance. If you encounter any issues borrowing outside of staff hours, complete a Borrowing Slip and place it in one of the book return boxes.

When you borrow an item, it will be loaned to you for 4 weeks. A few days before it is due, the loan will automatically be renewed for another 4 weeks. This will continue unless another person places a request on the item, you return it, or your course ends.

Board games and AV materials (CDs/DVDs) can be loaned for four days and cannot be renewed. Board games are only available during term time.

Some items are designated as Reference Only, meaning they must be used within the Library and cannot be borrowed. These books are marked with a red sticker or a ‘Not to be taken away’ label on the spine.

The Click and Collect service is available to all students, enabling you to reserve library items to collect from the ground floor. This can be used for material from the Main Library collections and restricted locations such as ‘Reserve Stock’ and ‘Office’. Staff will collect items twice a day – once in the morning and once in the afternoon, Monday-Friday. You will receive an email when the item/s are ready to collect. If the item/s have not been collected after 3 days, they will be re-shelved.

To return items using the self-issue machine, place them on the pad, select ‘Return’ on the screen, and ensure all items appear before placing them in the returns box on the left.

If you are short on time, items can be left in the returns box in the lobby, but this is only emptied on weekday mornings, so they will remain on your account until processed.

Requested items should be returned via the self-service machine and placed in the returns box by the staff desk for prompt re-loaning. Alternatively, they can be handed directly to a member of staff.

Please return items when you no longer need them to ensure availability for other users.

In term time, if an item you need is currently on loan you can place a request to have it returned. As loans renew automatically, some items may have been checked out for a long time but are no longer in use, so placing a request is encouraged.

When logged into iDiscover, a ‘Request’ button will appear under the ‘Get it’ heading, click this to place a request. Once requested, the borrower has 3 days to return the item. You will receive an email when the item is returned, and it will be reserved for you to collect from the Reserved Books shelf on the Ground Floor. If the item has not been collected after 3 days, it will be returned to the shelf.

If an item you have on loan is requested, please return it within 3 days, or it will be marked as an overdue request. If you have two overdue requested items on your account, you will be blocked from borrowing from all University Libraries until they are returned.

Items cannot be requested during vacation periods.

If an item is in high demand and you think an extra copy is needed, you can suggest this using our Recommending Items Form.

To manage your library account via iDiscover, log in with your University IT account details, then click your name in the top right corner. From the menu, select ‘My account’ to view your current loans, any requests you have placed, and any fines or blocks on your account.

You can also check your account using the self-service machines. Tap ‘View Account’, then scan your card to see items on loan, as well as any fines or overdue items.

A monthly statement will be emailed to you, providing a summary of your loans. This is not a request to return items, but it is a good opportunity to review your loans and return anything you no longer need. If an item still appears on your account after you have returned it, please email library@magd.cam.ac.uk or speak to staff at the desk.

In addition to your College Library, you may need to use the University Library and relevant faculty libraries for study spaces or borrowing. The Cambridge Libraries Directory lists all libraries in Cambridge with links to their websites.

Borrowing rights and limits vary between libraries. The Borrowing from Cambridge Libraries guide provides an overview of how the Cambridge library system works. However, you cannot use another College Library for studying or borrowing.

The University Library offers guidance for students, including inductions and a short introductory video about Cambridge Libraries.