OneSearch is the tool for finding books and other physical items in the library; ebooks, online articles, e-journals and newspapers.
Please see the OneSearch Quick Start Guide for more detail on how to find resources.
Databases A-Z list
Databases by Subject
Databases by Type e.g. e-books, newspapers, images etc.
University produced guidance for students on Generative AI
The University has produced guidance for students on Generative AI which includes advice on the University’s position, the risks of using generative AI and Dos and Don’ts. Three short videos have been produced covering:
What is generative AI and what you need to be aware of - gives an overview of what generative AI is and how it works. We also outline the risks and look at an example using one of the AI tools.
How can generative AI help you with your studies - explores several different ways that generative AI tools can be used when undertaking your academic work.
Dos and Don’ts when using generative AI and how to avoid academic misconduct - highlights things to be aware of when using generative AI and how to ensure you use it in line with Liverpool Hope’s Academic Misconduct Policy.
Curated Reading Lists
Reading Lists of relevance to national themes focusing on the minority and marginalised voices of society such as LGBTQ+, Global Majority, Disabilities, Mental Health and Women's studies, plus some general themes such as Library & Study Skills and Well-being.
How many books can I borrow?
- Level F, Level C & Level I: 10 items plus 1 kit
- Level H: 20 items plus 1 kit
- BA QTS: 13 items plus 1 kit
- Media: 10 items plus 1 kit plus 3 equipment loans (from LTC)
- PGCE's: 15 items plus 1 kit
- Taught Postgraduates: 20 items
- PhD and MPhil: 25 items
Accessing your library account
Access to your account is through OneSearch. Sign in using your university ID and password, and click on your name in the top right-hand corner of the screen
Education students
PGCE, School Direct, BA Early Years (3-7) with QTS, and BA Primary Education (5-11) with QTS students
You can apply for a Professional Placement Learning (PPL) card, which allows you to borrow more teaching resources for the length of your placement. With this card you can borrow an additional 4 kits, plus 12 other items for your placement. These resources have a T (for teaching items) at the end of their shelf mark, e.g. 372.38T.
N.B. You cannot borrow ordinary, theory, books on your PPL card.
The PPL card can only be used from one week prior to the preparation week of your placement. Loans last the length of your placement so that you don’t have to remember to renew your items whilst you are out on PPL placement.
PPL Dates for 2025-26
Your PPL card can be used on the self-service machine but some formats (e.g. DVDs, CDs, kits) may have to be borrowed via the Help Point. Please note that materials cannot be renewed on PPL cards. Please ensure that you collect all material taken into schools and return it by the due date.
The small print:
- If you lose your PPL card, a £5 replacement charge will be payable
- These arrangements do NOT cover periods of attachment
- For those who require repeat PPL facilities, special arrangements will be agreed with the Faculty of Education
- These arrangements are intended to ensure adequate and equitable access. They take account of student's individual arrangements and have been agreed between the Library and School of Education
PPL Library card application form
Requesting, renewing and returning books
Requesting Books
If all copies of a book are on loan, or if you need books to be sent to/from the Sheppard-Worlock Library/Creative Campus libraries, you can do this via the ‘Request’ option in the book record in OneSearch. You will be notified via your University email when the book is ready for collection.
Distance Learners and Postal Loans
If you are unable to come to campus to borrow books, they can be ordered and posted out to you via the University's Online Store. Please be aware that there is a postal cost of £4 per book and you will need to return all books. For more information and a guide to placing an order please see Postal book loan.
Renewing Books
All 1 or 2-week loans are automatically renewed for up to 14 weeks, unless they are reserved by another borrower. The auto-renewal period for PhD students is up to 6 months. High demand items with shorter loan periods (24-hour and 2-day loans) can be renewed up to 3 times, then they must be returned.
Returning Books
Liverpool Hope University library books can be returned to any of our libraries. Out-of-hours return slots are available outside the entrance to The Sheppard-Worlock Library and in the Student Success Zone at Creative Campus.
Fine and policy rates
Fines are only charged when another user is being inconvenienced (e.g. a book on loan to one person is requested by another, but is not returned). The rate, maximum fine limit, and amount that will block loans or renewals is as follows (these rates are comparable to other University libraries in the region):
- Daily fine per item (1 and 2 week loans) £1.00
- Maximum fine per item (1 and 2 week loans) £10.00
- Further loans and renewals will be blocked when the maximum fine of £10.00 is reached
- 24 hour loan - £1 per day with further renewals blocked when a maximum fine of £5.00 is reached
Books which are not requested, but become overdue, will not accrue fines but a block will be placed after 10 days to prevent further borrowing or renewing on that account until the item is returned. If an item goes 28 days or more overdue, the replacement fee of the overdue item will be added to the account (this will be removed if the item is returned) and a non-refundable administration fee of £10 will also be added.
Please note that the following items may only be loaned during core opening hours with library staff on duty.
Laptops
If you need to borrow a laptop for home use you will be required to complete and sign an eligibility agreement. Please ask at the Library Help Point for an application form.
Other Items
The library also loans the following items from the Library Help Point for use within the library:
- Owl (360 panoramic camera with built in smartphone and speaker for hybrid meetings) for use in the group rooms
- Mobile chargers
- Webcams
- Noise cancelling headphones
- Fidget spinners
- Lockers
- Whiteboard accessories
- Pencil cases and accessories
Books or journal articles that are unavailable in the Library can be requested via the Inter-Library Loan service using the forms below. Please remember to check the Library catalogue before submitting a request. Although all requests are actioned immediately please allow at least two weeks for requests to be satisfied.
Inter-library loans are free up to the following limits per academic year;
- Undergraduates - 5 items
- Postgraduates - 10 items
- PhD - 20 items
- Staff - 30 items
Renewals can be included up to these limits, past these limits there will be a charge per item incurred. If payment is required, it can be made in person at the library, or on 0151 291 2000. Please note we do not accept cash or cheques.
Book Request Form
Copyright Declaration
1. I hereby request you to supply me with a copy of the item specified overleaf, which I require for the purpose of research for a non-commercial purpose or private study.
2. I will not use the copy except for research for a non-commercial purpose or private study and will not supply a copy of it to any other person.
3. To the best of my knowledge, no other person with whom I work or study has made, or intends to make at about the same time as this request, a request for substantially the same material for substantially the same purposes.
4. I understand that if this declaration is false in a material particular the copy supplied to me by you will be an infringing copy and that I shall be liable for infringement of copyright as if I had made it myself.
Journal Article/Book Chapter Request Form
Copyright Declaration
1. I hereby request you to supply me with a copy of the item specified overleaf, which I require for the purpose of research for a non-commercial purpose or private study.
2. I will not use the copy except for research for a non-commercial purpose or private study and will not supply a copy of it to any other person.
3. To the best of my knowledge, no other person with whom I work or study has made, or intends to make at about the same time as this request, a request for substantially the same material for substantially the same purposes.
4. I understand that if this declaration is false in a material particular the copy supplied to me by you will be an infringing copy and that I shall be liable for infringement of copyright as if I had made it myself.
Ebook Interlibrary Loans
There may be occasions when we are unable to source a physical copy of a books that you have requested, but an ebook version is available. Please note that due to licensing restrictions, we can only request one chapter or 10% of the total pages of an ebook, whichever is greater. We are unable to borrow an entire ebook. Library staff will contact you with further information if this situation arises.
Renewing inter-library loans
If you wish to renew an ILL, please contact the library at least 5 days before the due date given inside the book. If it is not possible to renew the item you will be contacted and will need to return the item by the original due date.
Returning inter-library loans
Inter-library loans can be returned to any library but should be handed to staff wherever possible. If an item is returned overdue, charges may be incurred.
SCONUL Access
SCONUL is a scheme which allows University students to visit other academic libraries who are part of the scheme. Please visit the SCONUL Access webpages for more information and how to apply.
Please note from 1st September 2025, SCONUL Access visitors will no longer have access to Liverpool John Moores Student Life Building, access will only be granted to the Aldham Robarts Library and the Avril Robarts Library.
Public Libraries
As a student at Liverpool Hope you can join the public library to borrow from their physical collection and gain access to their online resources and e-books via the Read Liverpool scheme. Pleaser read the instructions on their webpages on how to register and access the online resources. You will have access to Central Library as well as some of the smaller branch libraries.
