Author Archives: laurarountree

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.   

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

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

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 

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.

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.

 

Are you ready for the Summer 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

Getting ready to clean the carpets.

During the summer vacation, Library Support Services work to clean and refresh the Library, ready for the upcoming Autumn term. 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