Order a Book - staff

Order books for your research.

This is the 'Order a Book' service for University staff. If you are a student, please access the student service page:

Order a Book (students)

How it works

If the Library doesn’t hold a copy of the book that you need for your research, complete the order form below and we will get it for you.
If you have any further information that may help us with sourcing your material please include it in the 'Comments' section in the online form.
This service does not include reading list resources.
We will provide books electronically whenever possible. If we can’t order an e-book, we will order a print copy for you.
You can see information about delivery times on the order form.
This service does not include requests for streamed video. For such requests, please follow visit the Streamed video access page.

Inter-library loans

If we can’t purchase your item, we will try to provide you with access to copies held at other libraries in the UK and overseas. Find out more information about inter-library loans below.

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. You must have your Library id number available so that we can check up on your requests.

Collecting items

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 card is not blocked.
If you have a charge of £10 or more on your library account, you won’t be able to collect your book. Fines and payments may be paid through the fine and fees section of 'My Account'.
Reference material cannot be accommodated at this time.

Non-collection of material

Please contact us within seven days of your arrival notification if you no longer need the item.

Returns, renewals and overdues

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

All overdue items are fined at £2 per day.
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, you will be invoiced by the lending institution for a replacement copy. Please note that such charges can be very high.

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.
There is a charge of £4.50 for renewing items borrowed from the British Library.
If you have any queries about renewals of books supplied by other libraries, please contact us at uml.mdoc@manchester.ac.uk

Unobtainable materials

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.

Full members of the Manchester Medical Society

If you wish to request books that we don’t hold from other libraries in the UK and overseas please email us with all of the following details:

your details (name, address and library card number)
details of the book (ISBN, author, title, price, URL, year, publisher and edition)