UHI Outer Hebrides Library

We would like to extend a huge welcome to all our new and returning students.  The Library Team are here to help you and we wish you every success with your studies this coming year.

For an overview of our Library services please watch this video (6:39 mins) or attend your scheduled Library induction. Library staff are also here to help you with any queries you may have, either in person or by email or via Live Chat.

Further information about UHI Outer Hebrides Library, including our Library Charter, can be found on the UHI Outer Hebrides Library webpages.

Term time opening hours are as follows:

8 am to 9 am (unstaffed) - NEW additional opening time

9 am to 5 pm (staffed)

Closed Saturday and Sunday

College closure days are as follows:

Friday 17th February 2023

Monday 1st May 2023

Please note if you are not a UHI student or staff member you must sign in at reception. 

The Library at the Stornoway campus provides a quiet environment in which to work and provides individual and group study areas with several pcs for student use. We do ask that you keep noise levels down and respect other students who are using the Library. There is also a silent study room that you can access from the Library. You are welcome to bring your own laptop. Wifi is available throughout the college, it is recommended you use Eduroam. Study facilities are also available at our Barra learning resource centre. 

Christmas Closure Period

If you require any materials prior to the Christmas closure period, please request them as soon as possible. Due to the ongoing industrial action by Royal Mail, items requested from other partner libraries or by postal loan may take longer to arrive than usual. The latest updates can be found on the Royal Mail service update page. Holds on locally held items can be collected up until the library closes for Christmas.

Browse & Borrow

You may borrow up to 15 books at any one time. The standard loan period is 28 days. Book loans can be renewed but this will depend on how much a book is in demand. Books for loan held by other UHI partner libraries may also be borrowed (see below). As well as print books the Library service also provides access to a vast collection of eBooks which can be read online or downloaded.

As well as browsing our shelves you can use Library Search to look for books held at UHI Outer Hebrides Library plus all the UHI academic partner library collections. It also provides links to our eBooks. To login into Library Search go to Sign In at the top right of the screen, then select UHI Students and Staff. Watch our Library Search video (10:21 mins) to find out more.

Click & Collect / Book Reservations

If you are unable to come to our UHI library in Stornoway to browse for a book in person you can also place a Hold to reserve the book within Library Search.  'Hold' requests for books located at UHI Outer Hebrides library will be processed within 2 working days and you will be notified when the book(s) is available for collection. Reserved books will only be held for a limited number of days before going back into circulation. Please note the postal service is for distance students or for those unable to reasonably collect books in person from our Stornoway campus.

Borrowing Books Located at other UHI Partner Libraries

If you need to borrow a book(s) held at another UHI academic partner library you can reserve a book by placing a Hold via Library Search.  Alternatively you can complete this online request form, check the box 'The book is in stock at other UHI Partner Libraries', we will then arrange this for you. 

Note: If an eBook is available partner libraries may not supply a print copy unless there are special circumstances. If you would like to make a special case for receiving print books please email lelibrary@uhi.ac.uk and the librarian will consider your case.

Postal Loans - Distance Students

To make use of this service please check Library Search for book availability and place a Hold remembering to indicate you require a postal loan. Alternatively complete this online request form.  For each book we need to know the title; first author surname or editor name; publication year or edition. Books will be posted to you with a Freepost return label. The books are posted to the address you provide us with as second class Royal Mail. 

Having problems completing the forms?

Email lelibrary@uhi.ac.uk using your UHI email so we can identify you.

Renewing books

Books can be renewed online by signing in to Library Search. Go to My Account / Checkouts. If your books have become overdue please email lelibrary@uhi.ac.uk and we will renew them for you (as long as they have not been reserved by someone else). 

Returning your books

You will receive an automatic email when books are due to be returned. If you no longer require a book please return it as soon as possible to make it available for other people to borrow. If you need the book longer you can usually renew it (if it is not reserved).

Postal returns

Distance learners will be sent a return Freepost address label with all books borrowed from UHI Outer Hebrides Library.

If you are not a 'distance learner' but for very good reason you are unable to return books in person to the Library you can post books back to us using our Freepost address. We will include a label with books posted to you but if you haven't got a label we can email the Freepost address to you.