Courtauld Library FAQ
Find what you need in the library. We’re here to help and want you to be ambitious in your scholarly and professional goals.
If you don’t find the answer to your questions here, email library@courtauld.ac.uk .
Answers to the Questions about the Library
How do I access my library account?
In LibrarySearch click on Sign in. Hover over your name in the upper right-hand corner and select My Loans.
How can I find books in the library?
- Read “How to find material in the library” in Finding and borrowing books in the Library – The Courtauld
- Search keywords from your topic in our LibrarySearch
How many books can I borrow and how long can I keep them for?
- 7 books for BAs, MAs, PgDips
- 10 books for PhDs
- 16 books for Staff
Loan periods are 1 week for BAs, MAs, PgDips; 2 weeks for PhDs, 3 weeks for Staff. Your loans will automatically renew, unless a the book that you’ve borrowed is requested by another user; in this case, you are notified via email and need to bring back the book by the due date.
What happens if I don’t return a book that has been recalled by another user?
If you don’t return a recalled book on time, your account will be frozen for the same number of days the book is overdue. For example, if the book is a week late, you won’t be able to borrow books for a week.
How do I borrow and return a book?
You’re welcome to take books from the shelves and borrow them. The staff at the Help Desk will loan the books to you, alternatively you can borrow books by processing them through the self-service machine.
Books can be returned easily at the help desk or inside the two drop boxes (located by the self-service machine in the main library and at Vernon Square’s reception).
What should I do if a book is listed as “Not Available”?
If the Not Available status on the record is displayed then click on the Request button under Get It.
You will receive an email when the book is ready to be collected from the Library.
What should I do if the library doesn't have the book I need?
If you can’t find the book you need, there are several options you can explore:
Access Senate House and King’s College Libraries
As a Courtauld student, you have access to Senate House and King’s College Libraries through the University of London Access Agreement.
If you’re not yet registered with these libraries, you’ll need to sign up to access their resources. For more information, visit Senate House and King’s College Libraries.
Search in Other Libraries
Library Hub: Use Jisc Library Hub Discover to search for books in UK libraries. If the item is available at another London library, please note that we cannot request it via interlibrary loan. However, you can contact the library directly to arrange a visit.
WorldCat: Use WorldCat to search for books in libraries worldwide. If the book is available elsewhere, we may be able to request it through interlibrary loan. Visit Inter-library Loans for details.
Suggest Adding the Book to the Courtauld Library
If you think a book would be a valuable addition to our collection, you can suggest it via our Purchase Request form.
What is the difference between catalogue, database, and e-resources?
The Catalogue is the main tool for discovering the physical and digital collections of the Courtauld Library. It allows you to search for:
Books, journals, and exhibition catalogues held in the library
E-books and other digital resources available online
Print materials in the library
A database is a searchable platform that we subscribe to that provides access to a wide range of scholarly resources beyond our catalogue. These can include:
Journal articles
Research papers
Images and primary sources
Databases often focus on specific subjects (e.g., art history, conservation, or cultural studies) and include resources that might not appear in the main library catalogue. You can search databases by category here: Database Search
E-Resources (electronic resources) refer to any material accessible online, such as:
E-books
Online journals
Multimedia resources like videos or images
E-resources can often be accessed through either the library catalogue or specific databases
How can I access the reading list of my course?
Visit the module page in the Courtauld Virtual Learning Environment.
Visit Reading Lists support for students for information about reading lists, including what readings you can expect to access online, readings that will need to be accessed in the Reading List Reference section of the library and those that you will need a Senate House membership to access online.
How can I get help with my research?
A range of support is available to students, including:
- Book an appointment with a librarian
- Support for referencing
- Royal Literary Fund Tutors
- Academic Skills Tutor
Visit Book a Librarian, Royal Literary Fund Tutors, and Academic Skills – The Courtauld for more information.
How can I print?
You must have credit on your account to print. If you do not, your documents may not appear.
To top-up, go to the budget recharge website and log-in with your Courtauld User ID and password. If you are using your own laptop, upload your document via the secure print website. If you are using a Courtauld desktop computer, choose BW Queue on aws-16-pr-01 for black and white printing, or Colour Queue on aws-16-pr-01 for colour.
- Swipe your ID card quickly towards yourself on the printer, ensuring the black strip is facing up
- You will be offered to Copy, Scan and Send or Secure Print
- Select Secure Print
- You will see all the print jobs you have sent to the print queue
- Select the documents you wish to print and press the green button to start printing
- Don’t forget to log out
Visit WiFi, Printing & Scanning for more information.
How can I access a Courtauld thesis?
Print theses and dissertations are stored offsite but can be requested for onsite viewing at Vernon Square. Please fill out a request form for each item and allow 3 working days for the item to arrive.
Electronic copies of Courtauld MA dissertations (from 2017 onwards) and PhD theses (from 2010 onwards) are available for access by Courtauld staff and students. Please fill out a request form for each item and we will send you an electronic copy.
You can search for theses in our Ex Libris Discovery – *
Visit Theses – The Courtauld for more information.