Explore: Finding books, journals and more

In this section you will find information on how to manage your library account on the Explore dashboard. You will learn how to:

• View and renew your loans
• Paying fines and fees
• Change your pin
• Request Store items
• Request inter-library loans
• Suggest a purchase

We recommend you always log in to Explore, so you can:

• See loan periods for books and other items in the library.
• Request items currently on loan via Click and Collect, Scan and Send or from Stores.
• Place an interlibrary loan request for an item not held by UCL.
• View your current loans and requests.
• Search across all possible data sources: Some data sources are restricted by licensing to library members only. Signing in ensures you retrieve all possible search results. See Databases for which you need to be logged in to Explore. 
• Add items from your results and your search queries permanently to your Favourites so you can come back to them in future.
• Save searches or set alerts for your queries sends you email notifications for any new items relating to your search criteria.
• Personalize results by focusing your search on your preferred discipline(s).

UCL users: Sign in to your account with your UCL userid and password.

Other library members: Sign in to your account with your UCL library barcode and password.

To borrow books and other items from self-issue machines, you will need your library barcode (your UCL ID card is also your library card). Some self-issue machines may require a PIN. Please note, your PIN is different to your password.

• Changing your PIN / password

Please be aware that your library PIN, needed to borrow items from self-service machines, and the password you use to access e-resources are separate. Access to UCL's online services including Library e-resources is governed by a UCL username and password and managed by UCL IT Services. You can contact UCL IT via email itservices@ucl.ac.uk or via their chat service, and more information can be found on the ISD website.