Ebook Central error message

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Some users may encounter the error message “Sorry your institution does not allow access to ProQuest Ebook Central from your current IP address. Please contact your librarian” when accessing the Ebook Central platform. The issue causing this error has now been fixed. However, you will need to clear your cache and cookies before you can use the platform again. You can do this yourself using these instructions or running this script developed by Ebook Central.

If you do encounter any further issues, please do report it to the E-team, via our email (eresourceshelp@reading.ac.uk) or our problem report form.

Lindsay Warwick, E-resources Team 

Increased individual study spaces during the Assessment Period

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Students studying at individual study spaces

We know that finding the right study space during the Assessment Period can make all the difference. 

To help you make the most of your revision time, the Library has partnered with Reading Students Union to provide more quiet, individual study spaces. As part of this collaboration, the 4th Floor group study area has become a quiet study area.  

  

Still need a group study area?  

There are still plenty of areas for group study throughout the Library and on Campus. Why not check out our bookable study rooms on the 1st Floor or explore one of the many alternative study areas on campus? Whether you are looking for access to a PC lab or an individual study space, you can find a place that suits your needs.  

  

Looking for study guidance? 

The Study Advice team are here to help you get back into study mode. Why not: 

 

 

Not sure where to start? Try the Self Reflective app and receive feedback and guidance tailored to you. 

  

Best of luck!  

Your Library Team 

REMINDER – Step into Winter vacation

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Close up of hedge with green and yellow leaves and bright red berries. There is some melting snow on the branches.

 

A reminder that the final date to request Closed Access items is 13:30 Thursday 18 December.

Whether you’re on-campus or heading home for the Winter Vacation, make sure you know about the upcoming changes to our opening hours and plan ahead!

 

When will the Library be open?

  • The Library will continue with semester opening times up until Friday 19 December, when we will be closing at midnight.
  • We will not be open on Saturday 20 or Sunday 21 December.
  • We will be open 08:30 – 19:00 on Monday 22 December and 08:30 – 17:00 on Tuesday 23 December.
  • We will be closed from Wednesday 24 December to Sunday 4 January for the University closure period.
  • From Monday 5 January to Friday 16 January, we re-open with vacation opening hours. Semester time service will resume from Saturday 17 January at 08:30.

When do I need to return my books?

You can borrow right up until the University closure period, but items may still be recalled. Please keep an eye on your University email account (and your Junk folder) for any recalls notices so that you can avoid fines.

What if I need something from Closed Access?

If you want items which are not on the open shelves before the Winter vacation, make sure that you get your requests in on time!

Closed Access items need to be requested before 13.30 Thursday 18 December.

Screenshot of the ‘Request from Closed Access’ button

Find the request button on the right of your screen on your PC. For mobile, select from the vertical dots.

Normal service will resume on Monday 5 January with our first Closed Access collection happening on Tuesday 6 January.

For more information and detailed instructions on how to make Closed Access and Store requests, check out the ‘Requesting items from Store and Closed Access‘ information page.

 

 

What study guidance is available over the University closure?

If you’re very keen to continue your studies during the University closure, Study Advice has some great tips on preparing for, and using, the winter break effectively. Plus our Subject guides and Study Advice guides are always available online to help you:

Keep on top of your studies but don’t forget to enjoy a well-deserved rest!

 

Wishing you all a happy and restful holiday season.

 

Your Library team

 

Row of gift boxes with ribbon sitting on a pile of snow against a silver and white sky

Image by Annette from Pixabay

New subscription to The Times

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The Library has a new subscription to The Times website!

University of Reading members can now access world class journalism directly from The Times and Sunday Times. The Times can help you explore your subject with unrestricted access to articles about politics, science, culture and technology. As well as up to date news from the UK and the rest of the world, opinions, sport, business, travel and lifestyle. The Times can provide you with the perspective you need to succeed in your studies.

You can access this new subscription via the entry on the A-Z list.

Lindsay Warwick, E-team

 

Reminder: upcoming Off-Site Store closure

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Bookshelves from Off-site StoreA reminder that our final collection from the Off-Site Store will be on Wednesday 24 September.  

Due to essential building work, the Off-site Store will be unavailable from Monday 29 September. The work is expected to last 8 weeks, and access to the Off-site Store will not be possible while it is ongoing.

Any requests must be made before 08:30 on Wednesday 24 September. Collections from Closed Access will remain unaffected.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Please contact library@reading.ac.uk if you have questions about how to request items from the Off-site Store.   

Welcome Week events in the Library

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A photo of the outside of the library on a sunny day, with a sign in front that reads 'welcome to UoR Library'We’d like to wish you a warm welcome from all the staff here at UoR Library!

If you’re wondering about how to use the Library and what’s available, we have a variety of events planned for you all through welcome week and lots of information to help you settle in:

New student Libguide

This is an online guide telling you about the Library including useful videos, answers to questions, where to get help and details of all our welcome week events.

Introducing your library

We are running tours Monday – Friday, every 30 minutes from 10:00 – 15:00. No need to book, just meet in the Library foyer.  We also have evening tours available on Tuesday and Thursday evening starting at 17:30 and 18:00.

Self-paced tours

We know there’s a lot going on right now!  So if you want to just take things slowly, at a time that suits you, we’ve created a self-paced tour for you to go through online.  Or you can pick up one of our handy expandable maps in the Library, to take a look around the building in your own time.  Or check out our Instagram to watch our reel that shows you around!

Monday 22nd September

Drop-in to the Library Café to join The Library Woolverines crochet group.  They’ll be there from 12:00-14:00 and can help get you started with making a granny square.

Tuesday 23rd September

A photo of a group of yellow plastic ducks in a blue inflatable pond.Your Library team will be at the Uni Life Fair from 10:30-16:00 – come and play our Hook-a-duck game to maybe win a prize!

In the Library foyer, from 11:00-15:00 you can make yourself a badge and find out about the University’s Special Collections.

Tuesday and Wednesday  23rd & 24th September

On Tuesday and Wednesday we will have a selection of Mystery Books you can borrow. Library staff have recommended some great reads from our collection. We’ve mixed them up and hidden them in bags, so it’s like getting a blind date with a book!  Come by, pick up a bag and find something new to read!

Thursday 25th September

The Legendary Library Escape Box Challenge

Drop in between 12:00-16:00 to play the Legendary Library Escape Box Challenge!  Come along as a team, or we can put you in a group with some new friends!  Meet in the Library foyer.

If you join in with any of our activities don’t forget to let us know on social media!  You can find us on Instagram and YouTube.

Your Library Team

Off-site Store update

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Bookshelves from Off-site Store

Due to unforeseen delays, the essential building work due to take place at the Off-site Store will now be starting at the end of September.  

The work is still expected to last 8 weeks, and access to the Off-site Store will not be possible while it is ongoing. 

If you have made a request for a Store item since Wednesday 20 August, these will be made available as soon as possible. You will receive notification when your item is available to collect. Our last Off-site Store collection will now be Wednesday 24 September. Any requests must be made before 08:30 on Wednesday 24 September. Collections from Closed Access will remain unaffected.  

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.  Please contact library@reading.ac.uk if you have questions about how to request items from the Off-site Store. 

Library closed Bank Holiday Monday

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The side of the Library building as the sun is setting.

The Library will be closed Monday 25 August for the Bank Holiday. Although the building may not be open, registered staff, students and Associate members can still access our wealth of e-resources, subject guides, and Study Advice resources 24/7.  

If you’re looking for a PC, don’t worry! PC labs are still available on campus for registered students.  

Needing to return a book? Just use the external Book Drop located to the right of the Library entrance and staff will collect it the next day. 

We will re-open on Tuesday 26 August at 08:30. 

 

Your Library Team 

1st Floor closed for Clearing

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From Thursday 7th August until Friday 22nd August, the 1st Floor of the Library will be closed for University Clearing. 

PCs can be found on all other floors of the Library, and Group Study spaces are available on the 2nd and 4th Floors. Please speak to the Welcome Desk if you need help finding a study space. 

The IT Helpdesk will be closed from Monday 4th August, but Support is available via telephone, email and the IT Self Service Portal. 

Upcoming Off-site Store Closure

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Bookshelves from Off-site Store

Due to essential building work, the Off-site Store will be unavailable from Tuesday 26th August. The work is expected to last 8 weeks, and access to the Off-site Store will not be possible while it is ongoing. 

Our last Off-site Store collection will be Wednesday 20th August. Any requests must be made before 08:30 on Wednesday 20th August. Collections from Closed Access will remain unaffected. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Please contact library@reading.ac.uk if you have any questions. 

 

Library Deep Clean

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Member of staff filling carpet cleaning machine with water to wash carpets as part of the annual summer big clean

Preparing for the Summer Deep Clean

During the summer vacation, Library Support Services work to clean and refresh the Library, ready for the upcoming semester. As part of this essential maintenance, we go beyond the usual areas and reach into the spots which aren’t covered by the day-to-day clean. This includes relocating chewing gum to the bins and washing all of the carpets.   

In order for this essential cleaning to be done as quickly as possible, some study areas will be temporarily closed off during the summer vacation. 

We apologise for the inconvenience. Please ask at the Welcome Desk if you need help finding an alternative study space. 

Your Library Team 

Dive into summer vacation

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Plastic duck on a miniature deckchair reading a book in a sunny meadow

Whether you’re having a hard-earned break or keeping on top of your studies, the Library is still here for you. Image by Majaranda from Pixabay

With the end of the semester and the beginning of summer vacation just around the corner, there are a few changes taking place in the Library.

Opening hours

Semester 2 ends on Friday 13 June which means our opening hours will be changing too. Between 14 June – 21 September, we’ll be open between 08:30 – 17:00 during weekdays. The Library will be closed at the weekends except for our three Summer Saturdays on 12 July, 16 August and 20 September. If you’re returning Library materials outside of these hours, the external Book Drop is always open and can be found to the right of the main entrance.

 

Vacation loans

From 13 June, if you’re an undergraduate or taught postgraduate student, you can borrow items for the whole summer without needing to renew, as long as your course doesn’t end before 30 September 2025.

Borrowing for staff, research postgraduates, Associate and external users will not change, so please continue to keep an eye on your University email account and Library account to ensure you return or renew items on time and avoid fines.

If you’re unsure about your due dates, check your Library account or get in touch with us.

 

SCONUL access

If you’re heading home for the summer period, but would still like to access a local university library, why not consider the SCONUL access scheme? As long as you’re still a current student, you can apply to join and access university libraries throughout the UK and Ireland. More information can be found on the Library website or you could ask staff at the Welcome Desk in the Library.

 

Continued support from your Academic Liaison Librarian and the Study Advice Team

Although the Library opening hours may have changed, your Academic Liaison librarians and Study advisers are still here to support you over the summer. Why not book a 1-2-1 appointment or check out their range of resources on our website?

 

If you have any questions during the summer vacation, you can contact us at library@reading.ac.uk or call on 0118 378 8770.

Enjoy the summer!

Your Library Team