Library users should be encouraged to use the Self-Service unit where possible.

The Law Library unit is located opposite the Law Library entrance and users are prompted to follow the instructions on the screen - pressing the icons to issue or return a book in the first instance.

Users can also check their Library Account using the Self-Service units. They can also check their accounts by logging in to Library Search.

If you are returning any book or item and see a message on the screen to indicate the return has not registered, then place the book or item into the black book return slot. The Law Library staff will remove the book or item from your library record.

Alma is the name of our Library Management System, provided by a company called Ex Libris.

Alma covers all library operations including: Acquisitions, Cataloguing, metadata management and, most importantly for Customer Services (CS) staff, Fulfilment which is what we use for the issue and return of books and other physical library resources such as headphones and laptops.

Details of loan entitlements for different categories of library user is available on the Library Website: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/borrow-reserve-return

Click on the link below to read up on issuing and returning books using Alma at the Help Desk.

You will need to:

• log into Alma (shared account)
• have P.V. Supa Goodstuff2 (RFID action window) open

Why a book might not be issued...

Reference Only Materials

Some books are REFERENCE ONLY, and cannot be loaned/taken out of the Library. These books are identified by a 'Not for Loan' sticker on the front and a blue 'Ref' sticker on the spine.  Please check if there is a loanable copy on the shelf or in another Library. If not, the user can:

• use the book in the Library,
• photocopy 1 chapter or 5% (whichever is greatest),
• place a reservation request by logging into their Library account/through the University App.

Journals, Law Reports and Government Publications are REFERENCE ONLY, and can only be used in the Library. 

RFID Tagging

Some books may be missing an RFID tag. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and that is how each book is recognised by Alma and security tagged. If a book doesn't have an RFID tag inside then it won't be recognised by the system/Self-Service unit. You can check to see if a book has a tag by looking inside the back cover. If there is a white rectangle sticker inside then it has a tag. If there is no sticker then it is missing a tag. What you can do:

If a tag is missing, manually issue or return the book using the Library Help Desk PC and Alma. You will need to scan the library barcode on the front of the book (starting with an 'M'). Please also make a note of the barcode and that it is missing a RFID tag and pass the details to the PRL coordinator via Teams chat. 

If a tag is in place, but it still won't be issued/returned, follow the same steps above.

If a M1--- barcode is not recognised, you could manually issue/return the book using the 'Manual Issues' folder next to the filing cabinet, and lpass the details on to the CS Hub Coordinator via Teams chat

Overdue Charges/Lost Books

If a user has more than £5 in overdue charges then their account will be blocked and they won't be able to borrow a book. This can be checked (and paid) via their Library Account. If they contest a charge, please send them to the Philip Robinson Library to discuss it.  Inform the Hub Coordinator that someone is coming via Teams chat. 

Other Possible Reasons:

• Book has not been returned properly - return the book first, and then try to issue again.
• Book has been requested by another user - advise that it has been requested and shelved incorrectly, look for an alternative, place the requested book on the 'Reservations Shelves' in the Law Library Office.
• Library Account has expired - please send user to PRL.
• User has another Block on their account - please send user to PRL.

• Ensure that Alma is set to ‘Currently at: Law Library – Law Main Desk’ at the top of the screen.
• You will mostly use:
  • Manage Patron Services
  • Return Items
  • Both screens will give you the option to switch between the two
• Alma will logout after 1 hour of inactivity. You will need to login again.
• Always use the ‘Back’ option within the Alma screen to go back a step. You cannot use the back arrow button on the web browser or you will be logged out.
• Philip Robinson Library, Walton Library and Research Reserve books can be returned to the Law Library. If any are, please pop them in the relevant box under Help Desk in the Law Library Office.
• A list of loans previously borrowed by a reader can be viewed by the reader only (via My Account within Library Search).
• Always clear the screen when you have finished dealing with each reader for data protection and to prevent confusion between reader records.