Text versions of Help videos - Requesting options
If you are unable to view our online training videos, to help you use Explore the British Library, you may find these text versions useful. Alternatively, try our Adobe PDF files.
Some of the information is intended just for British Library Reader Pass holders (or registered document supply customers).
Comments are welcome and will be used to improve the help supplied.
Requesting print material (for Readers)
- Reader Pass holders must be logged in to Explore the British Library in order to place a request.
- Please note that when logged in your name will be displayed at the top of the screen.
- Click on, e.g., There are 445 versions of this item to view all these records.
- The results displayed will then be reduced to 445 versions of the required item.
- Click on Details to view the full catalogue record of an item.
- When you find an item you would like to order click on I want this to view the request option(s).
- Click on Go to request the item to a Reading Room.
- The item details opens in a new window.
- Click on Add To Reservation List.
- A message on the screen confirms that the item has been added to your Reservation List.
- Click on the Reservation List button.
- To change the delivery date click on the date displayed in the Date required column.
- Click on the calendar.
- Select the required date.
- Click on Go.
- The new date is displayed in the Date required column.
- Click on Request.
- Click on the Reading Location drop-down menu.
- Select, e.g., HUMANITIES 2.
- Click on Go.
- This item has now been requested.
- Click on Close.
- You can now continue with your research in Explore the British Library.
Requesting print journal articles (for Readers)
- Press the F11 key (or click View>Full Screen) to optimise the display of the video in your browser.
- Reader Pass holders must be logged in to Explore the British Library in order to place a request.
- Enter the article keyword(s) in the search box.
- E.g., hiv pregnancy.
- Click on Search to carry out the search.
- The results list is then displayed.
- Use the Refine my results function to reduce the results list to articles only.
- Click on Articles.
- The results have now been refined to include Articles only.
- Click on Details to view the full catalogue record of the article.
- Click on I want this to view the request options.
- Click on Go to request the item.
- The full record of the item opens in a new window.
- Click on Add To List.
- A message on the screen confirms that the item has been added to your request list.
- Click on Request list.
- To change the delivery date click on the date displayed in the Date required column.
- Click on the months’ drop-down menu.
- Select the required month.
- Click on the dates’ drop-down menu.
- Select the required date.
- Click on Go.
- The new date is displayed in the Date required column.
- Click on Request.
- Confirm your order for this offsite item by clicking on Yes.
- Enter the article’s year of publication in the first text box.
- E.g., 1994.
- Enter the volume number in the second text box.
- E.g., 21.
- Enter the issue number or other additional information in the third text box.
- E.g., Issue No 1.
- Click on the Reading Location drop-down menu.
- Select, e.g., SCIENCE - FLOOR 2.
- Click on Go.
- This item has now been requested.
- Click on Close.
- You can now continue with your research in Explore the British Library.
Requesting electronic journal articles (for Readers)
- Press the F11 key (or click View>Full Screen) to optimise the display of the video in your browser.
- Reader Pass holders must be logged in to Explore the British Library in order to place a request.
- Enter the article keyword(s) in the search box.
- E.g., hiv pregnancy.
- Click on Search to carry out the search.
- The results list is then displayed.
- Use the Refine my results function to reduce the results list to articles only.
- Click on Articles.
- The results have now been refined to include Articles only.
- Click on I want this to view the request options.
- There is an electronic version available to Registered Readers using reading room PCs.
- Click on Go to access the item.
- The full text of the article appears in a new window. It is available for viewing and printing. Depending on licensing restrictions, other options may also be available.
- Click on Close to close the window.
- You can now continue with your research in Explore the British Library.
Requesting Manuscripts Collection items (for Readers)
- Press the F11 key (or click View>Full Screen) to optimise the display of the video in your browser.
- Reader Pass holders must be logged in to Explore the British Library in order to place a request.
- Click on the Reservation list link.
- Select the Manuscripts Collection option.
- Select, e. g., the Manuscripts category.
- Select, e. g., the Cotton collection.
- Enter the shelfmark. E.g., Augustus I.i.36.
- Click on Go.
- A message (in red) confirms that the item has been added to your Reservation list. The message reads: "Item has been added to Reservation list. To continue the ordering process, click on the Reservation list button."
- Click on the Reservation list link.
- Click on Request to order the item.
- Click on the Reading Location drop-down menu to select the reading room.
- Select the MANUSCRIPTS reading room.
- Enter the seat number, e.g., 1046.
- Click on Reserve item.
- You have successfully Requested this item.
- To request more items repeat this process.
Requesting electoral registers (for Readers)
- Press the F11 key (or click View>Full Screen) to optimise the display of the video in your browser.
- Reader Pass holders must be logged in to Explore the British Library in order to place a request.
- Click on the Reservation list link.
- Select the Humanities and Social Sciences Collection option.
- Enter the shelfmark of the Electoral Register in the Shelfmark box.
- E.g., BLW 120*
- If the register required is 1984 to present, you must put an asterisk * at the end of the shelfmark, e.g., BLW 120*.
- If the register required is pre-1984, you leave the shelfmark as given in the holdings guide, e.g., BLW 120.
- Enter Electoral Register in the Author box.
- Enter the name of the constituency in the Title box.
- Enter the year in the Date box. E.g., 1985.
- Click on Go.
- A message (in red) confirms that the item has been added to your Reservation list. The message reads: "Item has been added to Reservation list. To continue the ordering process, click on the Reservation list button."
- Click on the Reservation list link.
- Change the date if necessary.
- Click on Request to order the item.
- Enter the year. Only one year can be reserved per request.
- Click on the Reading Location drop-down menu to select the reading room.
- Select the SOCIAL SCIENCES reading room.
- Click on Reserve item.
- You have successfully Requested this item.
- To request more items repeat this process.
Ordering (for registered document supply customers)
- Press the F11 key (or click View>Full Screen) to optimise the display of the video in your browser.
- Log in using your username and password.
- Your user name will be displayed as confirmation that you have logged in successfully. (This is at the top of the screen.)
- Enter a word or phrase in the search box.
- E.g., nature.
- Click on Search to carry out the search.
- The results list is then displayed.
- Click on Details to view an item's full catalogue record.
- E. g., the full record of item No.2 is displayed in a window.
- Use the mouse to scroll through all details of the item's record.
- The Shelfmark(s) include Document Supply 6045.000000. This indicates that the item is available for document supply.
- Click on I want this to view the request option(s).
- The requesting options available will vary for different groups of customers.
- Use the mouse to scroll through all the request option(s) available for the item.
- My home or office is the document supply option.
- Click on Go to request the item.
- A new window displaying the Item Details will appear.
- Before continuing any further make sure you are logged in. At the top of the window there should be the following message: You are logged in.
- Scroll down to check the Serial holdings. Click on Details to view the serial holdings.
- A Holdings note mentions that there is a Ban on loans within 26 weeks of receipt. This note indicates the item's lending restrictions.
- Further details about the lending collection may be available.
- Click on the Select Collection drop-down menu. E. g., select Lending Collection.
- After selecting the collection click on Go.
- In this case there is no further information.
- Click on the red Back button.
- Use the mouse to scroll down the item's record. The shelfmark(s) are displayed at the bottom of the record. Click on Request to complete the request details.
- Enter your request number. E. g., 1234.
- Then enter the shelfmark. E. g., 6045.0000.
- Enter the year. E. g., 2010.
- Enter the volume. E. g., 467.
- Enter the part/edition. E. g., 7311.
- Enter the title. E. g., Corie Lok.
- Enter the page(s). E. g., 18-21.
- Select a delivery method from the drop-down menu.
- Select, e. g., the Secure Electronic Delivery - Standard delivery option.
- Select other options as appropriate. These may include search level, copyright fee payment, translation and so on.
- Click on Go to submit the form.
- Your order has been submitted is the message confirming that the request was submitted successfully.
- You may now review or print your order details.
- Click on Finish or Print.
- You can now continue with your research in Explore the British Library.
Ordering (for guest users)
- Press the F11 key (or click View>Full Screen) to optimise the display of the video in your browser.
- Enter a word, some keywords or a phrase in the search box.
- E.g., journal food agriculture environment.
- Click on Search to carry out the search.
- The results list is then displayed.
- Click on the I want this tab of an item to view the request option(s).
- E. g., click on item No.1.
- My home or office is the document supply option.
- Click on Go to request the item.
- A new window displaying the Item Details will appear.
- Scroll down to check the Serial holdings.
- A Holdings note mentions that there is a Ban on loans within 26 weeks of receipt. This note indicates the item's lending restrictions.
- Click on the required year to view the serial holdings. E.g., Year 2011.
- Use the mouse to scroll down the Item Holdings window for further details about availability.
- The required volume is available.
- Click on the red Back button.
- The shelfmark is displayed at the bottom of the record. Click on Request to view the Articles Direct form.
- The Articles Direct order form for guest users appears.
- Use the mouse to scroll down the window.
- Tick the box after reading the copyright fee and price information.
- The Title, ISBN, Shelfmark and some other details will be filled in by the system.
- Enter the year. E. g., 2011.
- Enter the volume number. E. g., 9.
- Enter the part/edition number. E. g., 2.
- Enter a part of the article’s title. E. g., A cooperative approach for waste load.
- Enter at least one author’s name. E. g., A Daylami.
- Enter the page number(s). E. g., 595-600.
- Select the speed of service that you require.
- Select the required delivery method.
- E. g., select Fax.
- Enter the delivery fax’s number.
- Enter the contact name.
- Enter the contact phone number.
- Enter the contact email address.
- Enter the first line of your address.
- If necessary, enter more details in the Address 2 box.
- Enter the Town/City.
- Enter the post or ZIP code.
- Click on Go to submit the form.
- A summary of your order appears.
- Click on Proceed to NETBANX to finalise your payment.
- The NETBANX payment page for the British Library appears.
- Enter your payment details in the usual way.
- Click on Confirm to process your payment.
- Click on Close to exit Articles Direct.
