How do I log in to my library account in NELSON?

When you become a student or member of staff at UON, we automatically make a library account for you. You can look at it in NELSON (Northampton Electronic Library Systems ONline) and see: 

• items you currently have on loan 

• items you have borrowed previously 

• resources you have requested, and their status 

• your reading lists. 

We have a video available, showing you how to log in to NELSON. There are written instructions below.

Logging in to your library account

Navigate to NELSON and, in the top right-hand corner you will see the login button 

You will then see two login options. ‘University Login’ is for students and staff at the University of Northampton. ‘Other Users’ will be used by SCONUL, associate and school members of the University of Northampton library and are NOT a student or member of staff. 

If you are a student or member of staff using the ‘University login’ click the link and it will log you in.  

If you are using the ‘Other users’ login, we will explain to you how to login when we process your membership. 

You will then be logged in and you will know this as the login button will have changed to your name or student number. 

I've tried this and I'm still having trouble logging in

If you are  having trouble logging in and are seeing error messages with a device, like a laptop, that you have used to log in to NELSON before, you could be having trouble with your cache and cookies. Devices and search engines like to be helpful to you by remembering passwords and user names, but there are times when this is very unhelpful! Cookies can be very powerful so, if are you still having trouble logging in to NELSON, do the simple step of clearing your cache and cookies as it might well be the problem. We have a guide available to help you. Using an incognito window can help as a quick fix but clearing your cache and cookies will give you a long term solution.

I need help to login

There are lots of ways you can contact us, any time of the day or night:

• email at libraryhelp@northampton.ac.uk
• our Chat service by clicking on the blue speech bubble at the bottom right of every page
• speaking with a member of library staff at the Library Help Desk, located on the second floor of the Learning Hub during staffed hours
• ask us a question using our 'Submit a Question' form
• call us on 01604 89 3089 

I am an existing student or staff member, didn’t it used to be different to access my library account and I needed a PIN? 

Yes it did. IT Services used to create a PIN for you that you needed to log into your library account in the catalogue. We now have a new library management system and this means that you can find all your account information, renew your items and order things you need all in NELSON. You don't need a PIN to log into NELSON or your accounts. Your PIN is now only used to borrow short loan laptops from the laptop cabinets.