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Our services: Borrow from us: Recalls

From borrowing to returning, loan periods to details of charges for late returns - this guide has all the information you need about borrowing from us.

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Recalled items  

Items are recalled when another user places a reservation request for them and the original loan period is reduced. 

If an item you have borrowed has been recalled and is due to be returned in more than 7 days, you will receive a recall notice via your University email account and you must return the item to the library you borrowed it from. You will be unable to renew the item and the due date will be reduced to 7 days.

If an item you have borrowed has been recalled and is already due within 7 days, you won’t get a recall notice but you will be unable to renew it and expected to return it on its due date.

All items are subject to recall, during term time and vacation. If your items are recalled and you are not in Durham, you can return your items via our free postal returns service. 

Please note, recall notices are not sent for the following items: 

  • Items due to be returned within 7 days  

  • Items on the reservation shelf with following requests (Please note, these items can only be borrowed for three days) 

Any recalled items not returned by their new due date will receive a fine of £1.00 per day. 


Recalls during vacation period 

Recalls can still be placed on items during the vacation period. 

  • During the vacation period the recall notice period remains 7 days, with the exception of the summer vacation where it is increased to 14 days for standard loan items.

  • You must be prepared to return an item to the Library throughout any vacation period. If you cannot return a book to the Library in person, you may post items back to the Library you borrowed them from. Ensure you obtain proof of postage from the Post Office. Items should be posted by their due date to avoid overdue charges. All postal returns are backdated to the postmark date.

  • Items may be returned to the external book drop when the library is closed. The book drop is situated to the left of the main entrance to the Bill Bryson Library, and to the left of the Library entrance for the ISC Library.  

If you are concerned that you may be unable to return an item during the vacation period, we recommend that you do not borrow it.