Borrow, Return, Renew & Request
How to borrow from DCU Library:
- Bring your book to any self‑service machine in the library.
- Tap Borrow and follow the steps on screen.
- Make sure to print or email your receipt so you know when the book is due back.
- There are no overdue fines, but if a book is lost, a replacement fee applies. (see below)
Good to know:
- You’ll need your DCU ID card to borrow anything.
- 1‑week loan books have a white tag. You can renew these up to three times (as long as no one else has requested them).
Tip: Sign in to My Library Account online to check the due date of each item you have on loan.
Unreturned Material: Standard Replacement Charge
Unreturned Material: Standard Replacement Charge
If a book is 30 days overdue, it’s considered lost and a €50 replacement fee is added to your account.
You’ll get an invoice by email or post, and you won’t be able to borrow or renew anything until the issue is sorted. If you can return the overdue items, standard loan fees are removed.
You are responsible for everything on your account until it’s returned and checked in.
If a book is lost, damaged, or 30+ days overdue, the replacement fee applies.
Terms and Conditions
- If replacing an item costs more than €50, the fee may be higher.
- You can provide your own replacement copy (same or newer edition, good condition) instead of paying the fee.
- Invoices go to your DCU student email and/or home address.
- You can return items to any DCU library
DVD Player Loan Service
- Available in O’Reilly and Cregan Libraries at the help desk.
- Includes DVD player, headphones, and plug.
- For in‑library use only, up to 3 hours.
- Available Monday–Saturday (not during study‑only hours).
- Cannot be renewed, reserved, or taken out of the library.
- Return to the help desk when your 3‑hour slot is up.
How to return books to DCU Library:
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How to return books to DCU Library:
- Bring the book to a self service machine found on the ground floor in the library.
- Press Return and follow the onscreen instructions.
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Some books can’t be returned using the machines — for example:
- Books that have been requested by another student
- Books that belong to a different DCU library
If that happens, just return them to the help desk or use the Book Return Facility outside staff hours.
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Always print or email your return receipt so you have proof that the book was checked in.
An external Book Return Facility is also located outside the O’Reilly Library and books can be returned here at any time.
Alternatively, books can be returned via registered post to its home library. The sender is deemed responsible for library items until received back by library staff and removed from the account.
To avoid borrowing restrictions, all loans must be returned to any DCU Library on or before the due date.
Remember:
- There are no overdue fines, but you won’t be able to borrow or renew anything until all overdue items are returned.
- It’s your responsibility to keep track of due dates and return items on time, even if reminder emails don’t arrive.
If you need more time with a book, renewing it online is quick and simple.
How to Renew Your Books
- Sign in to My Library Account.
- Go to the Loans tab.
- Click Renew beside the item(s) you want to extend.
- Each book can be renewed up to 3 times.
- If another user has placed a request/hold on the book, it cannot be renewed.
- Always renew before the due date. Once a book is overdue, it must be returned before it can be borrowed again.
Need help? Email library@dcu.ie for support
Tip: You’ll get a reminder to your DCU email the day before a book is due, so you won’t forget to return it.
How to request an item from DCU Library:
If a book you need is already on loan, you can place a request and we’ll hold it for you when it’s returned.
- Sign in to Library Search so that the Request option is available
- Find the book you want and click the Request link in the Availability and request options box. Requests can be picked up from the library where it is held.
- Click Send Request to confirm.
- You’ll get an email to your DCU account when the book is back and ready for collection.
- You’ll have 3 working days from when you get the notification to pick up the book.
- Collect it from the help desk in the library you selected.
- You can have up to 2 active requests at a time.
- To view or cancel requests, log in to My Library Account and select the Requests tab.
Remember: Items available on the shelf (not on loan) cannot be requested, you can borrow them straight from the shelf.
Request Collection
This is different from requesting a book that’s already on loan.
The Request Collection is a large collection of supplementary material held in storage in O’Reilly Library.
These items aren’t on open shelves and must be requested through Library Search.
Once requested, items can be picked up from the library you choose. Before placing a request, check whether the book is already available in the main collections or as an eBook.
Items requested for pickup at O’Reilly Library usually arrive within 48 hours.
Delivery to Cregan Library or Woodlock Hall Library typically takes 2–3 days.
As a DCU student, you automatically get a personal library account. It helps you keep track of your loans, due dates, renewals, requests, and favourites.
How to sign in
- Go to the Library website and click My Library Account (you’ll see it as a quick link or in the Library Search menu).
- When the pop‑up appears, choose DCU Staff and Students.
- The first time you log in, you’ll be asked to accept the Terms of Use.
- Always sign in using your DCU email address and password.
Remember: You can also check your account at the self‑service machines in the library. Just scan your DCU student card and choose Account to see your current loans and requests.
Need Help? If you’re having trouble logging in with your DCU credentials, please contact DTS for support.
Borrowing Entitlements at DCU Library:
- Undergraduates can borrow up to 14 items
- Taught and Research Postgraduates can borrow up to 20 items
- Bachelor of Education (B Ed) students can borrow up to 20 items