Here’s everything you need to know to get library ready this autumn term, including some changes to opening hours, study spaces and loan periods.

Visiting our libraries

Whether you’re a new or returning student, Library staff are excited to welcome you back to our eight libraries.

• Explore our libraries! Pop in at any time for a quick tour. Simply wait at the Tour Meeting Point inside the library and a member of staff will introduce you to the library space and our services.
• Don’t forget your University Card! From 11 October, you will need your card for access to our libraries. You’ll also need it to borrow books and use the printers.
• Studying over lunch? You are welcome to bring drinks and cold food into our libraries, but hot food must only be eaten in café spaces.

Extended opening hours

Extended opening hours in our libraries start earlier than ever this year. From 18 October, six libraries will be open until 2am (Sunday – Thursday).

• These hours will be in place throughout the autumn, spring and summer terms.
• The new hours will provide improved access to library study space, facilities and resources across the academic year, rather than focusing on specific assessment periods.
• For full details of opening times, please visit the Libraries website.

Safety on campus

Restrictions may have gone, but Covid-19 certainly hasn’t. It’s up to us all to help keep everyone safe. Please follow the university’s Safety on Campus guidance when using our libraries, including:

• Continuing to wear a face covering in busy and enclosed spaces
• Giving people space where possible
• Washing your hands regularly and wiping down surfaces before and after use

If you are a returning student, you’ll notice we’ve removed most of the one-way systems in our libraries. However, there are some spaces where these are still in place, such as Hallward Library. Please continue to follow any one-way systems still in place.

Borrowing books and loan periods

With the relaxation of national restrictions, we are returning to our standard library loan periods from 20 September, with some improvements.

• You can still use Click and Collect to place book requests. When you collect your book, you will need to issue it to your library account at the self-service machine.
• Books can be returned to any of our libraries – to the book boxes outside or the self-service machines.
• If you need access to any of our items by post – we now offer a postal loans service for students and staff.

Click and Collect hold time

In response to staff and student feedback, we are extending the amount of time that a book will be held on the requests shelf before being released to others.

From 20 September, you will have three days to collect your requested item. Part-time students and those eligible for enhanced library support will have seven days to collect their items.

High-demand loan period

• If the item you are borrowing is in high demand, it will be issued for two days and will not be renewed.
• In response to feedback, we are extending the high-demand loan period to four days for part-time students and those eligible for enhanced library support.

Returning a requested book

If the item you have out on loan has been requested, we will email you to let you know that it will no longer renew. You will have seven days to return the item.

Fines

• From 11 October 2021, Libraries will start charging fines for overdue items again. We have been waiving fines since December 2020.
• Our libraries are now cashless but you can pay your fines by card online.

Finding resources for your studies

NUsearch continues to be your one-stop shop for finding resources for your studies.

Library staff are here to help you with making the most of NUsearch. Get in touch or join one of our Ask Libraries: Discover our resources sessions.

We are continuing to offer our popular Scanning for Personal Use service this academic year. If you need to access a section of a book or journal, we can provide a scan by email (within copyright limits).

Study spaces

Drop-in study spaces are available in our libraries again this year – including group, individual and silent spaces.

If you want to be sure of a space or just have a favourite spot, you can book online via Click and Study.

Over the summer, we have refreshed some of the spaces at Hallward, Greenfield Medical and James Cameron-Gifford libraries.

Dedicated study spaces are available for students who are eligible for enhanced library support.

Printing and IT

PCs are available in all our libraries. We offer 15-minute short stay PCs as well as a range of drop-in and bookable spaces with PC access.

Computer rooms are available across all campuses, many of which are open 24/7.

Library laptop loans are currently unavailable. A long-term laptop loan service is available from Digital and Technology Services. Find out more about IT services

Help and support

Not sure where to get started? Attend your Faculty’s library induction or join one of our online sessions.

Our Library staff are here to help with any of your queries. Get in touch by live chat, email or phone. The live chat icon will show on our webpages when a member of staff is available.

You can also follow @UoNLibraries on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates and top tips.