Key Texts
- What are Key Texts?
- Using the Key Texts area
- Finding Key Texts on the Library Catalogue
- Finding items in the collection
- Borrowing from Key Texts
- Booking Key Texts
- Returning Key Texts
- Renewing Key Texts
- Loan periods
- Frequently asked questions
What are Key Texts?
Items which course tutors identify as essential reading and which are in heavy demand are moved to the Key Texts collection on the ground floor of the JB Morrell Library. They include books, journals, and photocopies. Exam papers, which are for reference use only, are also kept here.
Loan periods are short, up to 4 hours or overnight. They can be booked in advance so that you have more opportunity to borrow these key readings and can use them at a convenient time. See detailed loan and booking periods.
Using the Key Texts area
The Key Texts collection is next to JB Morrell Library Lending Services.
You can help yourself to the items you need and use self-issue before taking them out of the Key Texts area.
There are stand up desks if you want to have a quick look at some items. You can also use the self-service photocopiers. Photocopy cards can be purchased from the machine in the Key Texts area.
Finding Key Texts on the Library Catalogue
All Key Texts items are clearly identified on the Library Catalogue. Look under the Collection heading on the Holdings screen for the item.
There is also a link on the Catalogue which allows you to search only the Key Texts collection and gives extra search options for Lecturer and Module.
Please note that some items listed here may not have reached the Key Texts shelves if they are being transferred from elsewhere in the Library - make sure you check under the Collection heading on the Holdings screen for the item.
Finding items in the collection
Books and journals
The Shelf Locations for books and journals are the same as those used in the rest of the JBM Library and you will find Quarto [Oversize books] after the ordinary size books in each subject. Journals are shelved after the Quarto books.
Photocopies and University exam papers
Exam papers and photocopies are shelved before all the books.
Each photocopy has a number prefixed with a P, e.g. P1234. You can borrow photocopies for the Key Texts short loan periods.
Exam papers are for reference use in the Key Texts area only.
Borrowing from Key Texts
Use the Library Catalogue to book Key Text items. Use self-issue in the Key Texts area to borrow items; remember you will need your University or Library card.
If you have pre-booked a Key Text item it will be issued to you for the duration of your booking.
If you borrow an item, without pre-booking, it will be issued to you for up to 4 hours, e.g. if you borrow it at 11:15 it will be due back at 15:15.
However, your loan period will be reduced if another user has booked the item, e.g. if an item is booked from 14:30 and you borrow it at 11:15, the loan period will be reduced and the item will be due back at 14:30.
You should always check the due date and time on the receipt produced when borrowing an item as the loan period may be less than anticipated owing to bookings made by other users.
If an item is booked by someone else you will not be able to borrow it, or it may reduce the length of your loan. Always check your receipt for the return time.
If you have a question or a problem you can ask Lending Services staff for help.
Remember:
- Issue all Key Text items to yourself on the self-service machine before leaving the Key Texts area. Unissued items you have from the rest of the Library will have to be taken to the Key Texts desk
- If you forget to issue items to yourself an alarm will go off when you leave the Key Texts area. If this happens, please go to the Key Texts desk for help.
Booking Key Texts
You can book Key Text items for periods up to 4 hours or overnight to make sure they are available for you at a convenient time. If you need an item for the whole overnight period you should always book in advance.
How to book a Key Texts item
(See the next section for additional information on how to book overnight)
- Find the item on the Library Catalogue
- At the holdings screen, click on booking:
- Login to My Library Account
- Create your booking by selecting a Start Date and Hour, and an End Date and Hour (minimum duration 30 minutes, maximum 4 hours:
- After clicking on
the booking details are displayed:
- To confirm the booking, click on ; you will then see the message:
- If you change your mind about the booking you can delete it from within My Library Account:
Followed by:
How to book a Key Texts item overnight
- If you wish to book an item overnight you need to select a booking start time from 18:00 onwards (14:00 onwards at the weekend)
- Enter the following day as the end date, and the end time as overnight (scroll down to the bottom of the time slots)
This is an overnight booking from 19:00 on 16 September 2008 - The end time of an overnight booking depends on whether the following day is a weekday or a weekend day (10:00 if it is a weekday; 11:00 if it is a Saturday or Sunday)
- The end time is displayed at the next page:
Remember:
- A booking only lasts for the first 30 minutes of the period, after that anyone may borrow the item
- It is possible to make bookings up to 21:30 on weekdays and 17:30 on Saturdays and Sundays, so a loan before 18:00 (14:00 on Saturdays and Sundays) won't be overnight unless you pre-book the specific overnight period
- You cannot book for two consecutive periods
- You can book up to three Key Texts items up to three weeks in advance, and borrow up to 3 books and 3 photocopies at any one time
- Please cancel your Booking if you decide you don't need the item so that someone else can use it (use My Library Account).
Returning Key Texts
Please return all Key Texts items which you have borrowed, using the Key Texts self-service machines, as soon as you have finished with them so that they are available for someone else to borrow. You cannot return Key Texts on the self-return machines outside the Photocopycopy Office.
When the JBM Library is closed you can return items in the book return box outside the entrance.
Remember:
- Don't return Key Texts via the book return box when the Library is open. The box is only emptied at certain times and you may get a late return fine.
- If you've used items in the Key Texts area, but haven't borrowed them, please leave them on the trolleys so that library staff can put them back on the shelves for you.
Late return fines
Please remember that you are responsible for returning items on time. If you return items late we will charge a fine.
Information on the cost of late returns is available here.
Renewing Key Texts
You cannot renew Key Texts on the Catalogue. If the item hasn't been booked by someone else you can return it and reissue it on the self-service machines in Key Texts.
Loan periods
It is possible to borrow Key Texts for up to 4 hours or overnight during the following times:
Term-time
| Day | Borrowing times | Overnight loan will be due back |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 08:30 until 23:45 | 10:00 the next day |
| Friday | 08:30 until 20:45 | 11:00 Saturday |
| Saturday | 10:00 until 20:45 | 11:00 Sunday |
| Sunday | 10:00 until 20:45 | 10:00 Monday |
Christmas and Easter vacations
| Day | Borrowing times | Overnight loan will be due back |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 08:30 until 20:45 | 10:00 the next day |
| Friday | 08:30 until 20:45 | 11:00 Saturday |
| Saturday | 08:30 until 17:45 | 10:00 Monday |
Summer vacation
During the Summer Vacation Key Texts are avilable for longer periods, normally 24 hours from the time of issue.
Loan and booking periods will vary when the Library is closed e.g. over Christmas and the New year. You can see what booking periods are available when you look on the Library Catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
How many items can I borrow and book at one time?
Key Texts loans count towards your global borrowing limit. If you have already borrowed your maximum number of items, you will not be able to borrow any Key Texts until you have returned the equivalent number of other loans.
Can I photocopy a chapter from a book that has been booked but not yet collected?
Yes. You cannot borrow the book but you can photocopy it in the Key Texts area until it is collected. Booked items not collected after 30 minutes will become free for someone else to borrow.
