Your library account

How do I log in to my account?

If you are an external member go to iCat and use the ' sign-in link in the top right-hand corner and select 'SCONUL Access and other external members' to access your library account. You will need to have signed in before clicking on 'My account' to view your record. If you are a current student you need to click on 'Sign in' and then 'Kingston University Students and Staff'.

Remember to click on 'Log out' once you have finished looking at your account.

How do I find or change my library PIN?

You need your library PIN to borrow books from the library self-issue machines.

Please ask a member of staff for your PIN and then reset it. You can reset your PIN via the Library (I-Cat) catalogue.

How do I check when my books are due back?

We email a weekly statement to you every Monday showing you what items you currently have on loan from the library at that time.

You can see what items are on loan to you at any time by looking in the 'My Account' area on iCat, on the 'My Account' section.

When you have signed in to your account, you will see your loans listed on the 'Loans' tab. The 'Due date' column shows the date that the item must be returned by if they cannot be renewed. 

You can also see a history of the items you have borrowed by clicking on the drop-down menu on the 'Loans' tab and selecting 'Previous and Historic Loans'.

On the self-service machines in the libraries, you can also view your loans by using the 'Account' option.

We send out the following notices about items that need to be returned (so you can avoid fines):

• An email a day before the items is due back telling you that you must return it.
• An email on the due date itself.
• An email after seven days warning you that fines will no longer be suspended and will be applied the following day.
• An email reminder two weeks after the item is due back.
• A letter to your home address detailing the cost of replacement
• The next communication will be an invoice for the item.

Your address and personal email address are provided by you when you join. Please ensure you keep those details up to date. We cannot take responsibility if notifications are not received.

How do I check if items I have requested are ready to collect?

When you have logged into your account, click on the 'Requests' tab to see the status of items you have requested:

• On hold until [date]' means the item is ready to be picked up from the reservation collection shelves at the site you chose when you placed the reservation.
• 'In Process' or 'Waiting in Queue' means the item is not yet ready for collection.

You will be sent an email when the reservation is ready for collection. The item will be kept on the reservation collection shelves for you for seven days.

How do I check if I have outstanding charges or fines?

When you have logged into 'My account', fines due on your current loans will show next to the due date for each item. These fines will increase every day (or hour for a desk loan) until you return or renew the item.

Other outstanding charges can be seen by selecting the 'Fines' tab.

Find out the fine rates.

Why is my library account blocked?

Your account will be blocked from borrowing more items if you have £15 or more owing on your account. Books that are already on your account will continue to renew automatically, unless they too are recalled.