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Our services: Borrow from us: Students studying online

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.

Students studying online

If you are studying online as part of a distance learning programme, the following services are available free of charge for you to access our resources.

Online services

We have a wide range of electronic resources available through Discover and specific subject support on our subject guides.  

Our dedicated team is available through our Virtual Enquiry Desk to answer any emails/messages and our live chat service is available 24/7. You can also check our FAQs at any time. 

Access off-campus

For library users who are not on campus, a range of free tools are available to help you locate, access and download the full text of articles and other publications online, wherever you are. For more information, see our guide on full text access tools.

Free Postal Loan Service

This service is available to all University staff and students who are not currently living in a DH postcode, allowing you to request items held in University Library and Collections to be posted first class to a UK address outside Durham City. 

Access to our Online Services

We have a range of online services available, including access to an extensive collection of eresources and digital archives, as well as online support.

Free Scan and Deliver

Available to all current University members who are not currently living in a DH postcode, this free service allows you to request scans of chapters and articles available in print in the Bill Bryson Library for individual research only.

Free Postal Returns

We are offering a free postal returns service through Royal Mail to all UK-based staff and students who are not currently living in a DH postcode, allowing books to be returned to the Library by those who are not able to access campus in the current situation. 

Using the Bill Bryson Library

Contact us through our enhanced virtual enquiry desk, Ask DULib. Search our FAQs, email us, or chat with a librarian. 
Ask DULib is available to all students, staff and users.

Ask DULib, Library Help