The University of Sheffield
The University Library

Requesting items

You can request any item that is not for reference use only in the Library. Your item will then be delivered to the site of your choice for collection. To request material you will need your Library number (on your UCard/ Library card) and your PIN (this can be obtained by email via Star, the Library catalogue, or in person from the Library counter).

How to make a request

  1. Find the item you want using Star, the Library catalogue
  2. Click on Show copy/Show copies. The number under Copies tells you how many copies the Library has. The number under Loans indicates how many of these are on loan to a customer. If there is a copy on the shelves, it is quicker to go and look for it rather than make a request (other customers will be able to borrow any item found on the shelves even if there is a reservation on it).
  3. Click on request
  4. Enter your Ucard / Library Card number and PIN
  5. Choose your collection site
  6. Click on Proceed
Please note that you cannot request received, on order and items in processing. Please ask a member of staff for help with these items.

In addition, you cannot request material if there is a problem with your Ucard (e.g. your £10.00 fine limit has been exceeded) or if you have already requested the item, or if you currently have the item on loan. If for any reason your request is refused, please speak to a member of staff.

What happens next?

If the item you require is on loan for more than two weeks, the current borrower is sent a recall notice asking for the item to be returned by a revised date. Failure to do so will result in a fine. Items due back within two weeks will be due for return on the original due date and the current borrower will be unable to renew the item.
If the item is not on loan when the reservation request is submitted, the Library staff will regularly check the shelves. In a small number of cases, items are not found and you will be advised of alternative solutions.

Checking the progress of requests

To check on the progress of existing reservation requests, from the My Account option on Star:
  • Enter your Library number and PIN
  • Click on Reservation requests
  • The screen lists all your loans, reservations and document supply requests

How do I find out what is happening to my requests?

The Status column gives basic information on what is happening to your request.

Cancelling requests

If you no longer require an item you have reserved, it would be helpful to the Library and other users to cancel the request as quickly as possible. This will allow another user who needs the item to receive it more quickly. It is possible to cancel one or more reservation requests from the My Account option on Star by clicking on the box to the left of the title(s) you wish to cancel and then clicking cancel reservation. You can also tell the staff at the Library counter if you no longer require a reserved item. If you have been informed that the item you reserved is ready for collection, you can cancel it by replying to the email with the word Cancel.

Collecting requests

When the Library has located and obtained the item, a letter will be sent to you stating the last day on which the item will be kept for you at the Library counter. Please check your email regularly as the item will be removed if you fail to collect by the date on your notification letter. If the date for collection is missed and another borrower requires the item, you will have to re-reserve it and re-join the queue.

Requests queues

Items in heavy demand are frequently reserved by more than one Library user and in these cases the items are not able to be renewed.

Requesting items received or on order

Occasionally, you may come across an item on Star that is received or on order. If you still require the item, please talk to a member of staff as it is not possible to make a self-reservation on them. Please remember that you may have to wait longer to receive these items.

Inter-site Requests

You can request items from any Library site and you can choose from which site you would like to collect the item. Please note however, that to speed up the process of getting your request to you we may satisfy the request at the site to which it is returned and then ask you to collect it from that site.

How do I contact the Reservations section about my request?

If you want to send a message or enquire about one of your reservation requests, send an email (please remember to include your Library number and title details of your request) to reservations staff at the collection site: