How do I borrow books and other library materials?

Answer

AU students, staff, and faculty members with valid library accounts are eligible to request material to be mailed to them.

PLEASE NOTE: This process can only be used to request items from our general collection. If you need to order course materials, please fill out this form.

1) Find the book through AU Library Catalog.

If you know the title of the book you can use the main search box tab "Library Catalogue"

image of library website with library catalogue selected

2) If you are interested in a topic, but do not have a specific title, you can search for books in the Discover tab:

library website discover search

Once you have completed your search then select the filters tab to open the filter options:

Under the search bar from left to right are the following options: all filters, full text, scholarly (peer reviewed) journals, time, source type. Select the all filters option to open the filters options on the right hand side of the page.

and select "AU Library Catalog" to limit to books owned by AU and in our catalog and then click on the "apply" button 

The all filters list appears on the right hand side of the page starting with Search mode: proximity. a list of active filters, expanders, and finally advanced search options. Advanced search options have the following options: full text, scholarly (peer reviewed) journals, AU Library Catalog Only, available in library collection, EPUB eBooks. There is then a list of additional filter options to choose from. At the bottom of the list on the right hand side is the "Apply" button click on that to apply the filters you have selected.

When you find a physical book from the list of results select "Retrieve Library Record"

From the list of results you can see a brief item record. At the top it will identify the source type (book) then it will provide the title of the book and the author (Sri Lanka, a history/ Chandra Richard de Silva). Under the title will be the author, publication subject information. It will then provide the status, location and call number of the book. Under this is a "retrieve library record" button.

 

2) Once inside the catalog record for the physical book you want to receive select "Request"

 

The physical item record in the catalogue has the following options above the library record: Request, add to my list, add to card, marc display and another search. Select first option - request.

 

You will be asked to log in, make sure to select "Mailing address" as your method of delivery, this will be mailed to the address you have on file. See Change of Address.

Catalogue request verification page. Fill our your name, student id/ library id, select "mail to home address" and submit.

3) Renewals: You can renew your item twice, as long as it has not been requested by anyone else, see How do I renew books?

4) Returns: Your item will be sent with a prepaid return shipping label, if the package is small enough drop it in your nearest Canada Post box. If you must take it into a post office, they will not be able to read the code. See these instructions for what to do: Canada Post says my mailing label is not valid. What should I do?

5) Learn more about searching the catalog: AU Library Catalog Tutorial

 

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  • Last Updated Jul 16, 2025
  • Views 7
  • Answered By Jessica Jones

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