Library Essentials - get started with using the library

Borrowing books

Books can be borrowed from the open shelves using our self-service machines. If all copies of the book that you want are out on loan you can reserve a copy by placing a hold, following the steps below.

To reserve books

• The ‘Locations’ tab in Hunter will tell you if there are any copies available. If all the copies have the status ‘On Loan‘, you’ll need to sign-in in order to place a hold on the book.
• Log in to Hunter. You will need your Library username and password. If you have trouble logging in, please call 020 8725 5466 Mon-Fri 8am – 6pm or email library@sgul.ac.uk.
• Once signed in, select 'place a hold'. Have a look at our Place a Hold video for more information.
• You will receive an email when the reserved item(s) become available including instructions on how to collect them.
• You have 7 days from the date of the email to collect your item(s). Reserved items can be collected on the shelf to the left of the self service machines. After 7 days, uncollected items will be returned to the shelves and will have to be requested again if still needed.

If you have any questions, please email library@sgul.ac.uk.

You can borrow books for 1 week or 3 weeks

• 1 week loans have 'Week Loan' labels on the spine.
• Print journals and books marked 'Reference only' cannot be borrowed.

Your loans will be automatically renewed until the end of your course or employment at St George's

•  To manage your account, view your loans and check your fines, sign in to Hunter using the login option in the top right-hand corner.
• St George's staff and students should login using their University username and password.
• Loans for NHS staff will be renewed until their Library account expires.
• NHS staff can obtain their login by emailing library@sgul.ac.uk

Renewing is not always successful, these are the main reasons why:

• An item will not be renewed if another person has reserved it
• You cannot renew any items if you have outstanding fines of £10 or more

Remember! If items are lost, damaged or returned late you will have to pay a fine or charge:

• Overdue fines (per day): 20p per day on recalled items.
• An invoice for the cost of replacement will be issued for non-returned, lost or damaged items.

Step 1. Follow the instructions in this YouTube video to find the book using Hunter and note down the call number.

Step 2. Use this call number to find the book on the shelves in St George's Library.

Books are shelved in alphabetical, and then numerical order of the call number.

Hunter is the Library search tool. Hunter allows you to quickly find and access textbooks, eBooks, articles and more. 

Using Hunter

Finding books

Enter your search terms, select Books and more. Sign in to find the book location and availability.

Some books are available as e-books, select View Online to view electronic versions. You will need to login with your university login to access these. 

Finding journal articles

In Hunter, enter an article title or a few words from the title and select Articles and more. Select view online and follow the link to the full text. You will need to login with your SGUL login to access these off-site.  

Finding journals

To find a specific journal, type in the name of the journal and select Journal Titles results will include journal titles from the Library’s electronic and print journal collections. You will need to login with your university login to access electronic journals off-site.

Instructions for using the self service kiosks:

1. Place your book(s) on the glass plate as shown above.

2. Scan the barcode on your ID card.

3. Press the 'Check out' option on the screen.

4. When you are finished, press 'Print receipt' or 'E-mail receipt' to find out when the books are due back.

If all the copies of the book that you want are out on loan, you can reserve a copy by placing a hold.

When a copy of that item is returned it will be held at the Helpdesk and you will receive an email notification.

You then have one week to collect the item.