Order a Book - students
Need a book for your studies? Order it here - for free.
We want you to have the content that you need for your studies and research.
If the Library doesn’t already hold a copy of the book you need, fill in the this quick and easy order form and we will get it for you - for free.
E-books are usually supplied within five days and print books within 10 days (this will take longer at peak times). We will email you when the book is available.
Your requests also help to add to the breadth and currency of our collections.
Please note:
- We will provide books electronically whenever possible. If we can’t order an e-book, we will order a print copy for you.
- This service does not include reading list resources or requests for streamed video: for issues regarding availability of reading list items please speak with your course leader; for streamed video please visit the Streamed video access page.
Before ordering
- Check that the Library does not already have a copy of the book: Search books
- If we have the book but it is out on loan please use the ‘Request a book’ service.
- Please note that all resources purchased by this service remain property of the Library and may be recalled.
Order form
Time saver: If you enter the ISBN and click search, this will fill in the rest of the form automatically (you will still need to let us know your discipline.)
If you experience any issues when trying to complete the form, please send your requests, with full bibliographic details (including ISBN), to the Order a Book Team.
Inter-library loans
If we can’t purchase your item, we will try to borrow a physical copy from another library as an inter-library loan.
How long will it take?
- Books are usually supplied within 20 days although some items take longer to satisfy (as circumstances differ for each request).
- You will be notified by email through your University of Manchester address when your request arrives.
- To check the progress of your requests please contact us at uml.mdoc@manchester.ac.uk. If you provide your Library ID number we can check up on your requests more speedily.
Collect your items
- Loanable items can be collected from the Smartlockers, which are located on Blue Ground in the Main Library, during advertised opening hours.
- You will need your library card to open the locker. Once the locker is open, your book will automatically be issued to your library account.
- Please ensure that your account is not blocked, as this will prevent you from collecting anything.
- Reference material: we will communicate with you as to facilitating access to Reference Only material.
Non-collection of material
Please contact us within seven days of your arrival notification if you no longer need the item.
Returns, renewals and overdue items
Returns
- Books must be returned by the date shown on the date slip we have placed in the book.
- Items borrowed from other libraries may be subject to immediate recall.
- Please return ILL books using the book returns bin for ILL material which is situated to the left of the ILL Smartlockers on the ground floor of the Main Library.
Overdues
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Any charges incurred as a result of late returns or lost and damaged items have to be met by the borrower. If an item is returned very late, damaged or lost, you will be invoiced by the lending institution for a replacement copy (the British Library, for example, will charge you a minimum of £214).
Renewals
- In some cases you can renew items borrowed from other libraries. Please contact us at least a week before the due date to see if this is possible
- If you have any queries about renewals of books supplied by other libraries, please contact us at uml.mdoc@manchester.ac.uk
Is there anything I can’t order?
- Our own stock (including items which are out on loan). Always check Library Search beforehand.
- British Standards and overseas standards and patents. These are mostly available electronically although we are unable to purchase this material for you.
- Pre-1900 material. A vast amount of pre-1800 material is held electronically - see EEBO: Early English Books Online - for more information.
- Most theses - please see the Search Theses page for more information.
Graduate members
If you wish to request books that we don’t hold from other libraries in the UK and overseas please complete the following form and email it to uml.mdoc@manchester.ac.uk