Request a scan

You can request a scan from any physical book or journal we hold in the library. However, if the book is currently on loan to another user your 'Scan and Send' request will take longer to process. Please check the availability of the item in the library catalogue before making a request.

If we do not hold a copy of the book, you can request a purchase.

Alternatively, if you cannot find the book you require on the library catalogue we recommend that you speak to your Subject Librarian to discuss alternative resources. Their contact details can be found on the Library webpage for your subject area.

Works can only be copied up to specified extent limits:

• 5% OR one chapter of a book (whichever is the greater)
• One article from a journal issue

If you are looking to access a whole book, please search for an e-book version in the library catalogue.

Students and staff fill out the above form with the details of their 'Scan and Send' request. Library staff check the copyright restrictions and (where possible) produce a scan. The scan will then be sent to the Universtiy email address of the person who made the request, for individual use only.

If you don’t know how to identify the most useful book chapter you need from a book, try using Google Books which often provides a chapter preview.

You can make multiple requests from the same book or journal up to the permitted amount. For example, 2 chapters together constituting 5% of the overall book.

We aim to produce scans as quickly as possible, but we cannot guarantee a timeframe. There is an option on the form to let us know when you will no longer need the scan.

No, if you require an extract for teaching, the copyright restrictions are different, so please fill out the 'Scan and Share' form instead. For more information about the 'Scan and Share' service please see the FAQ section below.

This service is available for Bath Spa academic staff to request the digitisation of extracts directly through the University’s Resource List Management system.

Extracts from in-copyright books and journals, where covered by the CLA licence agreement, and within the CLA’s extent limits (see below).

For further details about the types of material covered by the CLA licence please see the Copyright FAQ.

Works that are covered by the CLA copyright licence can only be copied up to specified extent limits:

• 10% OR one chapter of a book (whichever is the greater)
• One article from a journal issue

The University must own an original copy of the work being copied.

Some works are excluded from the Licence. The CLA provide a search engine that allows you to check whether a particular work is covered.

Some categories of material are excluded from the CLA Licence, including printed music, maps and charts.

A digital course collection should not constitute a work that could be substituted for a published work.

'Scan and Share' digitisation requests (previously called CLA scans) are now made directly through the University’s Resource List Management system.

If you do not have a list for your module on the system yet, it's easy to set one up. Please see the self-guided training, or speak to your Subject Librarian.

Simply add the item to your resource list, click the three dots at the end of the item and select ‘Request digitisation’.

Library staff check the request against the terms of the University’s CLA Copyright Licence, and (where possible) prepare the scans and supply links for upload. Your Subject Librarian will be in touch to discuss any queries.

You can make multiple requests from the same book or journal up to the amount permitted by the CLA licence. For example, 2 chapters together constituting 10% of the overall book.