Access to other libraries' collections

Document Supply Services

If you are unable to obtain the materials you need for your dissertation or other research from our own learning centre collections, the Document Supply Service (previously known as Inter Library Loans) may be able to obtain them for you, from another library. See Document Supply Services for full details of the service and how to make a request.

Using other libraries

If you are unable to get in to one of the learning centres you may be able to access library and information services more local to you.

Reciprocal borrowing schemes allow certain of our students to apply for membership at other university libraries.

• The SCONUL Access scheme allows staff, research students, full time postgraduates and part-time, distance learning and placement students to borrow material from other libraries
• The SCONUL vacation access scheme allows full-time undergraduates to use other university libraries for reference during vacations.
• The SYALL agreement between academic and public libraries in the region allows anyone who lives, works or studies in the South Yorkshire area to use any library that has signed up to SYALL for reading or reference purposes.

Local library catalogues

• University of Sheffield: STAR Catalogue
  Although you may not take the books out of the library, you may use the libraries at the University of Sheffield, except for the Information Commons. Please note that you will not be able to use their computers or electronic resources.
  
• Sheffield Public Libraries
  The catalogue of Sheffield's public library service.

National and international library catalogues

• COPAC
  Copac, the UK and Irish academic and national library catalogue, merges the online library catalogues of major UK research libraries. These include the British Library, and locally the universities of Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham. The Tate Library and V&A National Art Library are also included.
• The British Library
  The British Library is the British national library and holds a copy of virtually everything published in the United Kingdom. It usually supplies the material for the Document Supply Service.
• The European Library
  The European Library searches the content of 30 national libraries, giving access to 150 million entries across Europe. Can be searched in many different languages.
• Library of Congress
  Catalogue of the United States national library, the world's largest library, containing more than 130 million items, including 29 million books and other printed material.
• SUNCAT: serials union catalogue
  The Serials Union Catalogue for the UK research community is a free tool to help researchers locate print and electronic serials held in UK libraries. It includes journals, periodicals, newspapers, newsletters, magazines, proceedings, annual reports and other publications of a continuing nature.