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Borrowing, renewing and reserving items

If you have joined the library, you can find and reserve an item by using our online catalogue

You may borrow up to 20 items and return to them any library. When you borrow an item you will be given a date by which it must either be returned or renewed.

This includes:

Please note smaller libraries may not have all the items listed above.

Some items such as CDs, DVDs and cassettes have hire charges attached.

How do I renew an item?

You can keep items for longer by renewing them but only while no one else is waiting to borrow them and only up to a maximum of 24 renewals.

A reminder will be sent to your email address a few days before your items are due back, giving you time to renew or return.

You can do this either:

  • Online by logging into your account
  • Calling us on 023 8083 3007
  • In any of our libraries at a self service desk or by speaking to a member of staff

To renew you will need your borrower ID that can be found on back of your library card or on library notices and slips. If renewing online you will also need your 4-digit library PIN (forgotten your PIN?)

Please note if you renew chargeable items you will pay further hire charges each time you renew. Items not returned or renewed by the due date incur overdue charges

Reserve or request items

You are able to reserve items found on the library catalogue including those on loan or located in a different branch and this service is completely free.

We will let you know when your items are ready to collect and you will normally have 10 days to collect them. If you need to extend this collection window please contact us:

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Before you fill in this form

You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself a couple of minutes to fill in the form.

You will need to have the following information to hand:

  • Your borrower number (if relevant)

Ask libraries a question

You can cancel an unwanted reservation:

  • Online by logging into your account
  • Calling us on 023 8083 3007
  • In any of our libraries at a self service desk or by speaking to a member of staff

Reserving more than one copy of the same item

Find out more about reading groups and the titles available.

If you wish to do a reading group booking please contact us using our online form.

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Before you fill in this form

You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself a couple of minutes to fill in the form.

You will need to tell us:

  • The borrower ID to reserve under
  • Which library you would like to collect from
  • The main title of the book and how many copies you require

Ask libraries a question

Reserving an item not found on the catalogue

If you cannot find the item you are looking for on our library catalogue, we can usually get it for you from another library outside of Southampton via our inter-library loans service

You will need your Borrower ID and as much detail about the item as possible.

We charge £3.00 for this service (plus an additional £5.00 if we need to locate a copy from academic libraries or the British Library). DVDs and music CDs cannot be requested using this service.