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Our Services: Requesting a Purchase: Making a request

Making a Request

How to Request a Resource for Purchase

If you would like the library to purchase a specific resource, you can easily make a request using the purchase request form.

Who Can Request?

All university staff and students can request the purchase of a book. You do not need departmental permission to make a request. However, if you have a Library Representative in your department, they can offer advice if needed.

Special Requests

  • Journal Subscriptions: Requests need to be made by staff in a department who will then contact the relevant Faculty Librarian for these requests where they will be considered and reviewed. 
  • Individual Articles or Book Chapters: Consider using the Inter Library Loan service.
  • Reading Lists for Teaching: Submit requests via Talis Aspire.
  • Libby App Titles: Make requests directly through the Libby App using the Deep Search and Notify Me functions.
Important Reminders
  • Check Availability: Before making a request, please check Discover to see if the resource is already available.
  • Provide Detailed Information: To expedite your request, provide as much information as possible. Use a separate form for each item. If you are copying and pasting information onto the request form please make sure the correct information is pasted onto the relevant section of the form rather than the title box.
  • Last Useful Date: Indicate the last date the resource will be useful to you this may differ from the date you would like it by. Allow at least 7 days for the request to be processed.
  • eBook or Print Copy: If a print copy is acceptable, tick the "print copy acceptable" box on the form.

All suggestions will be considered by the Library. We will contact you if we are unable to order the title (unless it is a request via Libby) or if we need additional information.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance!

 

Reasons for Request

When you make a resource request, you will be asked to specify the reason for your request. Here are the categories you can choose from:

  • General Interest: For personal interest or to help develop the library collections.
  • Dissertation/Theses: Resources needed for your dissertation or thesis work.
  • More Books/Additional Copies: Requesting more books or additional copies of existing titles.
  • Liberate My Library: Books that represent BAME, LGBTQ+, Disability, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Community and Gender and Identity.
  • Research: For academic research purposes.
  • Wellbeing: To support physical and mental health and wellbeing.
  • Accessibility: If an ebook is unsuitable due to health reasons or lack of access to electronic copies. 
  • College Library Requests: Requests for certain College Libraries that participate in this service. (Contact your College Librarian for more details.)

Note: If the items are needed for teaching or a reading list for a specific module, these requests must be made by the academic staff teaching that module via Talis Aspire.

Ebook and Print Book Ordering

The Library follows an eBook first purchasing policy. This means that if an eBook is available for the library to purchase, we will acquire the eBook.

If no eBook is available, the Library will only purchase a print copy if the "Print Copy Acceptable" option is ticked on the Purchase Request Form. If this option is not selected and no eBook is available, the request will be rejected.

For accessibility reasons, if an eBook is not suitable, please provide details in the "Reason for Request" section of the form and ensure the "Print Copy Acceptable" box is ticked. All requests will be carefully considered, with the exception of personal preferences for print format.