Distance learners - library information

As a distance learner you have access to the full range of resources and services offered by Library and Learning Services.  This includes the provision of printed materials via postal loans, access to electronic resources for your research and staff support via email and telephone. 

Online information for your assignments

Whether you are looking for journal articles, newspapers or even images to support your assignments, online access is available.  We subscribe to over 15,000 journals electronically and these, as well as a range of other information resources, are available via MetaLib.

Help with using Metalib and finding suitable information for your studies is available from your Academic Librarians. The Information Skills tutorials provide a good starting point to develop your information searching and referencing skills.

Books and postal loans

If you wish to search for books (including electronic books) use the Library Catalogue.

If you are registered on a distance learning course with The University of Northampton, you will automatically qualify for the Postal Loans Service. Just let us know the material you need and we'll post it to you, wherever you are in the world. You will be required to pay the cost of returning items and will be held responsible for them until they are received in the library.

If you would like to register for the Postal Loans Service or request printed materials from the library, please email postal.loans@northampton.ac.uk.

Postal Loans
The University of Northampton
Park Campus Library
Boughton Green Road
Northampton
NN2 7AL

Please also use this address if you are returning items through the post.

Note: Part-time students living outside of Northamptonshire also qualify for this service.

Reservations

If you have found an item through the Library Catalogue that is currently on loan, we recommend that you do not use the request button. Contact the Postal Loans team who will reserve the item on your behalf.

If an item you have requested through Postal Loans is currently on loan it will be reserved for you automatically, and we will send it to you as soon as it becomes available.

Renewals

Items that you have borrowed from the library may be renewed up to 15 times via the My Account link on the Library Catalogue.  If you are unable to renew your items, please email libraryhelp@northampton.ac.uk. 

Access to other libraries

We are members of the SCONUL Access scheme which enables you to make use of other university libraries in the scheme throughout the UK and Ireland. If you would like to visit a different institution, you can use the UK active map to locate the details.

The British Library may be worth a visit if you are trying to extend your research and its website provides information about support available for higher education students.  Check the online catalogues to prepare for your visit in advance. 

If you are looking for something closer to home, then your local public library may be able to help.

Distance Learners based in other countries

If you wish to use libraries outside of the UK, you will need to contact the institution that you are interested in directly.  You may find the LibDex and LibWeb websites a helpful starting point.

Contact us

Please email libraryhelp@northampton.ac.uk for general queries or email librarians@northampton.ac.uk if you need advice on finding information for your assignments.