While some of our dictionaries are loanable, many are designated as 'reference' and cannot therefore be borrowed.

Reference only items are marked with a red sticker, which reads: 'Reference'. 

Copies of certain titles are designated not loanable for a number of reasons, but usually because they are in high demand (i.e. a copy needs to be available for reference in the library at all times). This ensures that all of our users get fair and equal access to a limited number of resources.

It's for this reason, you may even sometimes see loanable and 'reference' copies of the same title side-by-side on our shelves.

Although they can't be borrowed, if it's helpful you may scan a limited section of a reference only text - copyright law permits 5% or one chapter of a book (whichever is more) and all copies must be for personal use only. 

You can find more information about copyright here.