Changes to 4th Floor during Assessment period

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Students studying in individual study areas on 2nd Floor

In preparation for the University revision and assessment period we will be making some changes to Library study space in the Library from Tuesday 27 May 2025. We know that this time can be stressful and it’s more important than ever to ensure that you find the right study space for you. 

 

To help you make the most of this time, the Library has partnered with Reading Students Union to provide increased, quiet, individual study space. As part of this collaboration, the 4th Floor group study area will become a quiet study area. This will allow you to access more study spaces at a crucial time of the year. 

 

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. 

 

Keep an eye out for more ways the Library can help you during your exams. 

 

Best of luck! 

Your Library Team

Discover South Asia Commons – Trial Access Now Live

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We’re pleased to offer trial access to South Asia Commons, a rich digital collection highlighting underrepresented scholarship from South Asia. Someone studying at a desk with a laptop, book and notepage

What’s Included?

  • South Asia Archive: Books, journals and documents (1700–1953) from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
  • South Asian History and Culture: Millions of primary sources – reports, journals, videos, audio files, newspapers, magazines, letters, and diaries.

South Asia Commons provides content related to many disciplines, including economics, politics, law, gender, archaeology, anthropology, culture, history, science, technology, and education.

Access until 13 June 2025
Explore here: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/reading.ac.uk?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsouthasiacommons.net%2F

We value your feedback
Please share your thoughts about this e-resource with Charlie Carpenter, Academic Liaison Librarian: c.a.carpenter@reading.ac.uk

New Self-Reflective App to help you reach your academic goals

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Do you want to improve your effectiveness but you’re not sure where to start?

Assess your strengths, receive tailored feedback and specifically selected resources chosen to support your individual needs with the exciting new Self-Reflective App from your Study Advice team at Reading uni.

Student holding an ipad with the self reflective App on screen

Our new tool will help you reflect thoughtfully on your learning, identify your strengths and the areas where you can improve. With our app, you can identify and target the areas you feel you need help with the most, or get an overall picture of your strengths and improvement areas. Its up to you to decide.

Pick from our 7 short questionnaire categories and receive tailored resources to your email with expert guidance just for you. Then set your goals to achieve success in your studies!

The Self-Reflective App is quick and easy to access just visit the Study Advice webpage here to start your reflective journey.

New subscription to Times Higher Education

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Logo of the THE in white font with a pink and purple box surrounding it. Then the words Times Higher Education

The Library has a new institutional subscription to the Times Higher Education website. University of Reading members can register for an account with their university email address, and instructions on creating an account are here. You will then have access to all content on the site for free, this includes news, rankings, campus and the student site.

When registering you can also opt-in to receive a variety of newsletters to keep you up-to-date in your areas of interest. Anyone wishing to create an account should have a read of the THE Privacy Policy first, before submitting their personal data.

You can access this new subscription via the entry on the A-Z list, which contains all the necessary links.

Lindsay Warwick, E-Team

 

Cracking on with Spring vacation

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Two plastic chicks looking at each other with a blurred tree in the background.

Don’t just wing it. Flock to the Library and make sure you’re ready for the Spring vacation. Image by Alexa from Pixabay

 

The Spring vacation has arrived, and with it are some changes to our opening hours.  

 

When are we open?

Between Saturday 12 – Wednesday 16 April, we’ll be open at the following times:

  • Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 April: Closed 
  • Monday 14 – Tuesday 15 April: 08:30 – 19:00 
  • Wednesday 16 April: 08:30 – 17:00 

We’ll be closed between Thursday 17 – Monday 21 April for the University Spring closure period. 

Semester time Library opening hours will resume from 08:30 Tuesday 22 April.

 

When do you need to return your loans?

Loan periods and due dates will not change, so make sure you regularly check your Library account for individual return dates on your books.

Recall notices will be sent to your University email address so keep track, return your materials on time and avoid fines.

Library closed? You can return books 24/7 via the external Book Drop. If you do receive a recall notice and you can’t return the item in person, you can always return them by post.  

 

What are the last collection dates for Off-site Store and Closed Access?

Off-site Store and Closed Access collections will not take place during the University closure period, so please submit your requests on time.

Screenshot of the ‘Request from Closed Access’ button

If using a PC, select the grey button to the right of the screen.

  • Closed Access items need to be requested before 13:30 Tuesday 15 April.
  • Off-site Store items need to be requested before 08:30 Wednesday 16 April.

You’ll find the request button on the right of your screen on your PC. For mobile, select from the vertical dots.

 

What if you’re not on campus?

If you’re away from campus but still want access to a library space, you may be able to do so via the SCONUL access scheme. Make sure you apply before 13:00 Wednesday 16 April to guarantee membership before the University closure. 

 

If you have any questions, please get in touch.  

Your Library Team 

Kickstart your Masters dissertation

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Advert for the Masters Dissertation fair 2025 listing the range of events that will be included: webinars, workshops, writing retreats and drop ins. Event runs Mon 3 March to Fri 7 March

Feeling a bit stuck with researching and writing your Masters dissertation or project?  Why not book to come along to one of our Kickstart your Masters dissertation sessions, run by our Academic Liaison and Study Advice teams?

Choose from a selection of webinars, workshops, retreats and drop-ins running Monday 3 March to Friday 7 March, offering advice around dissertation planning, researching, writing and digital skills.

For more information on each session and to book, take a look at our Kickstart your Masters dissertation guide

We will be offering advice on all aspects of your dissertation researching, planning and writing. From managing your project and writing your literature review, to researching our databases, making the most of Microsoft Word and using reference management software, these friendly sessions are designed for you to get some tips from the experts and get your dissertation off to a positive start.

More help available

You can also book an appointment with a Study Adviser, who can offer advice to enable you to manage your project, write critically and ensure academic integrity.

Or book to meet your Academic Liaison Librarian who can support you with researching and accessing the material you need, and how to reference it correctly.

For those who prefer self-paced online resources, we have a suite of videos and guides on dissertations, major projects and literature reviews.

Remember, you can always discover key resources in your subject area in the liaison team’s guides and use our guide for Taught Postgraduates.

Academic Liaison Librarians and Study Advisers

Winter vacation? Snow problem!

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A fluffed up robin in the snow

Worried about Winter vacation? Let us give you a bird’s eye view of how to prepare

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 be operating on semester opening hours up until Friday 20 December. We will be closing at midnight on Friday 20 December. 
  • We will be closed 21 December to Sunday 5 January for the University closure period. 
  • From Monday 6 January to Friday 17 January, we re-open with reduced opening hours. Semester time service will resume from Saturday 18 January at 08:30. 

When do I need to return my books? 

You can borrow right up until the University closure period. Standard loans can be borrowed for up to 6 weeks, but items may still be recalled until Friday 13 December. Please keep an eye on your University email account (and your Junk folder) for any recalls notices so that you can avoid fines.  

During the University closure, you may still receive recall notices, but items will not be due back until we re-open on Monday 6 January. 

 

Last collections before University closure  

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 19 December. 

Normal service will resume on Monday 6 January with our first Closed Access collection happening on Tuesday 7 January. 

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

 

Accessing online information 

If you’re very keen to continue your studies during the University closure don’t worry, our Subject guides and Study Advice guides are always available online. Or why not get a head start by: 

  • …exploring some of the ‘further’ or ‘suggested readings’ on your reading list. 

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

Happy Holidays to you all.  

 

Your Library team 

Brow wrapped parcel with sprig of holly on white background.

Off-site Store items – temporarily unavailable

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Bookshelves from Off-site StoreCollections from our Off-site Store will remain suspended or severely restricted due to essential building maintenance into late January. 

Whilst we are unable to collect items held in our Off-site Store University Staff, Students, and Associates may use our inter-library loan service. Collections from Closed Access remain unaffected.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

 

 

Need help practicing and developing your mathematical and statistical skills?

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Student using calculator

The Library’s new Maths Support guide provides links to an extensive range of interactive e-resources and video tutorials which you can access at any time to practise and develop your mathematical and statistical skills. Developed for students by students, in collaboration with Library staff, the guide is organised into key topics to make it easier and quicker for you to find the help you need.

libguides.reading.ac.uk/maths-support

Lecturer helping student at computer

If you want to boost your maths and stats knowledge before approaching new topics in your course, then make sure you also register for Integral for HE. This online resource is designed to support undergraduate students and provides interactive quizzes, videos and overviews on a wide range of topics including Complex Numbers, Matrices, Algebra and Functions, Further Calculus, Vectors, Differential Equations and many more. It’s easy to register for your own account, just fill out this online form and we’ll do the rest!  

Library Welcome Week Events

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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 week, and 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 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.

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 yourself.  Or check out our Instagram to watch our reel that shows you around!

Special Collections

Come along to make yourself a badge and find out about the University’s Special Collections – in the Library foyer 11:00 – 14:00 on Tuesday.

Mystery Books

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!

The Legendary Library Escape Box Challenge

On Thursday between 12:00 – 16:00 we will be running a library themed escape challenge. Come along as a team, or drop by and 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

The Chair Necessities

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Three chairs in the Library foyer. Each chair has a sign on it containing a QR code and a number from 1 to 3.

You may have seen these in the foyer.

Back in May, we asked you to cast your votes on what chair design should be used for the 5th Floor. Many of you tried them out and let us know which chair you preferred.  

Image of 5th Floor reading room.

Looking rather smart.

 

 

 

 

 

After a few months of patiently (and impatiently) waiting, the new chairs have finally arrived and have been moved to their new home in the 5th Floor Reading rooms, ready for a new semester. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to sit, ponder and vote. We hope you love the end result as much as we do.