Book Takeaway Service

Request items

To place a request, find and open the item that you need in YorSearch and click the button to ‘Use our Book Takeaway Service’. You will need to log in to YorSearch to place a request. You will be directed to a request form which will automatically capture details of the item you are requesting.

The request form will ask you to choose which of the delivery options you would prefer. We will do our best to match the option that you choose, but please be aware that it might not always be possible to do so (for example if a book is not suitable for postal delivery).

We will email you to discuss alternative options if we are not able to match your preference. Please note that we’ll provide an ebook in preference to print where this is possible, but you can contact us if you have a specific need for a print version.

If you don’t see the link for Book Takeaway in YorSearch but you think an item should be eligible, please email us at lib-enquiry@york.ac.uk. We will confirm the item’s availability and discuss alternative options with you if we can’t supply it via Book Takeaway.

Scan and Send

The Scan and Send option enables you to request a scan of a book chapter or article for electronic delivery. When your scan is ready we’ll send it via email.

Please note that copyright restrictions prohibit us from scanning more than a chapter or up to 10% of a book (whichever gives the greater number of pages). We can scan one article or up to 10% from a single journal issue.

We expect to be able to scan from most items in the Library, but may on occasion decline a scan request due to unforeseen circumstances (for example if a book is too fragile or unsuitable to transfer between library sites). In those cases we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

We anticipate that it may take up to 15 working days for us to provide your scan, but please be aware that this might vary depending on the level of demand. Scanners are available in the library for you to scan book chapters yourself. In most cases, this will be a quicker option due to demand on the service.

Postal Loans

We're happy to post items out to those who need it. This is a very popular service with a lot of demand on it, so if you live close to campus and are able to visit the Library in person without difficulty, we expect you to borrow items yourself.

Items sent via Postal Loans count towards your overall loan allowance, so please make sure before requesting an item that you have not reached your loan limit. You can check your current loans in your Library Account.

Items on loan are currently set to renew automatically. You can check the status and due dates of your loans in your Library Account.

Please be aware that not all items will be suitable to send via Postal Loans, for example due to their size or condition. We will contact you if this is the case.

If you are based outside the UK you are welcome to request items using Postal Loans. However, please ensure that you have read the information about how to return your books before placing your request.

We anticipate that it will take up to 10 working days for your items to arrive, dependent on postal services. All parcels are sent using Royal Mail 2nd Class delivery.

Self-isolating students living on campus can use the Campus Delivery option to request books to be delivered to your halls of residence.

Campus Delivery

Use the Campus Delivery option only if you are currently self-isolating on campus and require books to be delivered to your halls of residence.

Items sent via Campus Delivery count towards your overall loan allowance, so please make sure before requesting an item that you have not reached your loan limit. You can check your current loans in your Library Account.

Please be aware that not all items will be suitable to send via Campus Delivery, for example due to their size or condition. We will contact you if this is the case.

Send to King's Manor

We have now reinstated our Book Delivery Service to enable books to be sent between our different library locations. To use the service: login to YorSearch, find the book you need and click ‘Request this item’. You can then choose the site to which the book should be sent. You will receive an email when the book is ready for collection.

Books sent to King’s Manor Library are available for collection at any time during our opening hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 5pm on Saturdays. You don’t need to book in advance.

Send to Morrell

We have now reinstated our Book Delivery Service to enable books to be sent between our different library locations. To use the service: login to YorSearch, find the book you need and click ‘Request this item’. You can then choose the site to which the book should be sent. You will receive an email when the book is ready for collection.

Books sent to Morrell are available for collection at any time during our opening hours: 8am to midnight every day. You don’t need to book in advance.

Return items

You can return your items in person using one of the campus book drops, and through the post using our Royal Mail Tracked Returns service.

Returning your items on campus

You can return your items in person using the Book Return Point in the main Library, which is available 8am to midnight every day, or at one of the following book drop locations on campus:

• Outside the Morrell Library (to the right of the main entrance doors): available 24/7
• Inside the Ron Cooke Hub: available 24/7
• At King’s Manor Library using either the book drop outside the Library entrance or the self-service return point inside the Library reception area: available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

We will remove the items from your account when we next empty the book drop.

Returning your items through the post

If you live in the UK

If you live in the UK you are welcome to return your books in the post using our Royal Mail Tracked Returns service. This is a 48-hour tracked service and books (up to the weight limit) can be sent back to us without postal charge to you, though you may be expected to purchase suitable packaging.

Please be aware that this is a temporary service in response to the coronavirus outbreak. We will provide updates later in the year about when we expect the service to be phased out.

To use the service:

1. Package your items ready to return. There is a maximum weight limit of 20kg per parcel and size limit of 61cm (L) by 46cm (W) by 46cm (D). If your parcel exceeds those limits please package your items across multiple parcels. You will need to print a unique label for each parcel (see below). You will need to provide your own packing materials.
2. Address your items to University Library, University of York, York YO10 5DD.
3. Visit the Royal Mail website and select University of York from the list of retailers.
4. Select the shape of your item and confirm the size and weight are below the maximum limits.
5. Add your details to the form and select Make your label.
6. You can choose whether to print out a label to attach to your package, or to send a QR code to your smartphone. If you choose to print your labels, remember that you’ll need one for each separate package that you’re returning.
7. Take your package to your nearest Post Office or Customer Service Point. If you chose to send a QR code to your phone, a return label will be printed for you. You will not be charged for postage.

Upon arrival at the Library, we will remove the items from your Library Account. Don’t worry if your items are slightly delayed in the post; we will backdate the return to the date of postage.

If you are concerned that items have not reached the Library, please contact us.

If you live outside the UK

If you live outside the UK, you will need to pay for costs of returning your books to us in the post. We will then refund the costs of your postage.

Here’s how it works:

1. Return your items to us by packing them suitably and sending them to University Library, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom.
2. When we receive your items, we’ll remove them from your Library Account and let you know that they’ve arrived.
3. You can then apply for a refund of the postage costs by completing this form. You will need to attach an image of your receipt.
4. We will arrange for a refund to the bank details saved on your University account. Refunds will be paid in Pound Sterling, based on that day’s exchange rate.