About us

• We will offer a minimum 10-minute Library induction to all new students and staff.
• We will offer a minimum of 2 hours of generic Research and Referencing training to every student. 
• We will invest 99% of the London Library book budget in subject related print and electronic resources, giving priority to Library Reading Lists titles for programme modules.
• We will have a print or an electronic copy of each recommended module reading book listed in Library Reading Lists provided the title is not out of print or unavailable to purchase from our University approved suppliers.   
• We will try to ensure that Library Search is an accurate reflection of our collection by carrying out annual stock reviews.
• We will aim to get new books on the shelves within a week upon receipt.
• We will aim to shelve returned books by the next day.
• We will aim to tidy the shelves every day to ensure books are in their correct places to aid findability.   
• We will aim to acknowledge/respond to user emails within three days.
• We will aim to acknowledge/respond to user suggestions and feedback within a week.
• We will report to relevant departments any health and safety issues – dirty environment, broken lights – within a day.
• We will participate in yearly staff development cycles to ensure our staff deliver an effective service and are able to meet the information needs of our users. 

Updated April 2026

Our collections consist of printed and electronic resources that support the University's learning, teaching, and research activities. The Academic Librarian work with academic staff to ensure materials are available in a variety of formats.

Subscriptions and e-resources annual review

University Library Service conduct an annual review of subscription resources in consultation with academic staff. This ensures that our subscriptions to journals and databases support current learning, teaching, and research activities within our available budget. Your engagement in this process makes a valuable contribution, giving you and your students access to appropriate resources. Please speak to your Academic Librarian if you would like to write a business case for a new journal or database subscription.

Recommendations for purchase

We have a digital-first approach to new acquisitions. You are responsible for selecting appropriate resources for inclusion on the reading lists for the modules you teach. Where possible, you should select from the stock we have available in our collections. Where new texts are required, please contact your Academic Librarian. We recommend e-books for inclusion in resource lists (where they are available to buy) as they allow both on- and off-campus access.

Collection review

We carry out regular collection reviews to ensure our collections are up to date and fit for purpose. We will consult with you before making any withdrawals in your subject area. Our professional staff conduct routine day-to-day management of collections, such as withdrawing lost or damaged items, generally without consultation.

Adapted from: Library Collection Development - Library Guide for Academic Staff - Library Guides at University of Sunderland

Introduction

These regulations have been agreed to safeguard the interests of all our users and they assist in ensuring the overall quality of the services we provide. Through them, we aim to make our collections, information, and services as freely and fairly available to all customers as possible, and to provide a pleasant environment conducive for studying and learning.

General

For the purpose of these regulations, the term “material” refers to all library materials in both print and digital format. It includes books, journals, newspapers, CDs, DVDs, dissertations, and any other media used for the communication of information online or offline.

Membership

Full membership of the London Library is open to all staff and students of the University of Sunderland in London.

Members of the University of Sunderland in London are entitled to full borrowing rights and access to digital resources. Further details of borrowing rights for different user types are available from the London Library and its website.

Borrowing and reference facilities are available to members of designated institutions with whom the University has a formal contract or agreement as part of reciprocal access schemes.

Reference material, and, in some cases, limited borrowing facilities may be made available to individuals or institutions outside the University on a discretionary basis.

Registered users of the Library must ensure that their personal information is kept up to date. Priority of access to the London Library will be given to members of the University of Sunderland in London.

Your campus card

Members of the University of Sunderland in London are automatically given access to the London Library on receipt of a University of Sunderland campus card. Other eligible users must follow the relevant registration protocol as defined by the Library and will be provided with the relevant proof of registration. The campus card is not transferable to another person. The registered user is responsible for all items issued to their campus card and for the cost of replacing them if not returned or if damaged. Lost or stolen campus cards should be reported immediately to Student Support and a charge will be made for their replacement. Members will also be charged for the replacement of unrecovered items borrowed by others as a result of a campus card being lost and used by someone else. Members should present their campus card every time they wish to borrow or renew material.

Borrowing library materials

Users may consult "reference only" materials in the Library but they cannot borrow them. In the London Library, materials assigned to this category may include some out of print core text with no electronic equivalent.

Materials for loan will be issued for defined loan periods. Details of loan periods are available from the London Library and its website. The occasional variation of these loan periods is at the discretion of library staff.

Users are responsible for returning items to the Library on or before the last date shown on the book issue label or the self-issue receipt or in the My Account section of Library Search.

Automated pre-overdue/overdue notices are sent by the Library Management System as a courtesy. Users must retain receipts from self-return machines as proof of return.

Materials may be returned by post (at the user's expense) but they remain the user’s responsibility until received by the Library.

Materials may be renewed up to seven times if they have not been reserved by another user.

DVDs are to be used for educational purposes only. They may not be shown to a fee-paying audience and no unauthorised copies may be made.

Audio-visual material recorded off-air are only available for viewing by staff and students of the University.

Any library user who activates the security system is liable to be checked and anything they are carrying inspected. Any attempt to remove items which have not been issued may result in implementation of the University’s disciplinary procedures.

Damage, loss, and non-return of library materials and the non-payment of fines

Damage to and loss or non-return of library materials will be charged to the user at the current replacement cost. Willful damage may result in implementation of the University’s disciplinary procedures.

Failure to return materials, and the possession of a library debt, will result in the suspension of borrowing facilities. If the debt remains unsettled or the materials unreturned, the account may be passed to the University to initiate debt collection procedures.

If, at the end of an academic year, outstanding library debts are not settled and materials are not returned, students may find themselves in breach of the University regulations.

Materials must not be defaced or marked in any way.

Conduct in the library

All users must produce proof of their identity when requested to do so by a member of library staff.

For safety reasons and with due regard to the needs of other library users, no children/minors are allowed in the library area.

No animals, other than guide dogs, are allowed in the library area. We expect users to respect the library area, for example, by using the rubbish bins/recycling facilities provided.

Users who do not comply with the regulations and who cause a disturbance to other users may be asked to leave the library. They may not be readmitted until the incident has been discussed with the librarian and an undertaking has been given as to their future conduct. This also applies to anyone who might accompany such a user. You can expect staff within the library to treat you with courtesy, respect, and consideration. We expect our users to do the same and behave in accordance with current University policies on dignity, respect, and harassment at work. Users must not leave their personal belongings unattended in the library area since we cannot be held responsible for their safekeeping.

Compliance with legislation regarding copyright, data protection, and publisher licences

It is a requirement of registration that users agree to abide by University Library Services Regulations and, therefore, by University IT Regulations and the terms of relevant UK legislation.

University registration requires details of name, address, faculty and other information which may be necessary for the secure and effective operation of the Service. This registration permits the use of this information in the Library’s computer systems on the understanding that this information will be held securely, divulged only as permitted under the current data protection legislation, and used only for the purposes registered and approved under the provisions of the current Act. It permits the sharing of this information with other faculties and services within the University for recording purposes.

All users are required to adhere to all terms and conditions of the license agreements relating electronic resources. Usernames and passwords must be used only by the individuals to whom they were allocated and must be kept secure.

All users are required to stay within the terms of current copyright legislation which makes deliberate infringements, such as unauthorised copying, a criminal offence. The copyright notices next to the photocopiers give guidance and shall be observed by all users of library materials and equipment, whether in the library or elsewhere.

Disciplinary action

The use of the services and facilities provided by the Library is conditional upon the user observing the Regulations. Failure to comply with the Regulations may result in the withdrawal of rights to use the Library. Serious cases of infringement may result in the implementation of the University disciplinary procedures.

Where a breach of UK law is suspected, the infringement may be reported to the police. Pending such action, the University may withdraw all rights to use the Library without prejudice.

Any student dissatisfied with a decision made as a result of the implementation of the University disciplinary procedures has a right to appeal. Guidelines for appeal are available from the University.

Updated January 2025

Adapted from “Using our Libraries – Library Regulations” by the University Library Services (March 2020)