Author Archives: laurarountree

Our visitor policy is changing

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Our visitor policy is changing from the 1 October 2023.

An image of the outside of the Library building

Members of the public who wish to consult printed Library materials which are not available elsewhere, can arrange up to 5 visits to the Library per academic year. All visits must be arranged at least 2 working days in advance (longer notice periods may be required for items held at our Off-site Store or in Closed Access).

If you wish to visit the Library please email library@reading.ac.uk with details of the item(s) that you require, and the dates you would like to consult them.

Further information on our visitor policy, and how to join as an External member, can be found on our website.

If you are looking for access to a study space, then you can join Reading Borough Libraries for free.

Library is open Saturday 16 September

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Stay ahead of the term time rush and come and make the most of our final summer vacation Saturday opening.

On Saturday 16 September, we’re open 08:30 – 17:00 and our friendly staff will be on hand all day to answer your questions.

Student looking at laptop in study booth

Time to focus in one of our many study spaces

So, if you’d like to enjoy some quality study time, or maybe just browse and explore our resources before the busy autumn term kicks off, this is a date to put in your diary.

Looking for more specific help from a Library professional within your subject area? Visit our online guidance or make an appointment as we won’t be able to deal with specific one-to-one subject enquiries on the day.

Please be aware that the Library Café will not be open and the IT Service Desk will be working on Registration – further information about their service hours can be found on their webpages.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Your Library team

The summer deep clean

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If you’re visiting the Library for access to study space, please be aware that deep cleaning works are underway.  

Member of staff filling up carpet cleaner with water from yellow bucket

The carpet cleaner is a vital part of the summer deep clean

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 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 

Wi-Fi work on 4th Floor

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Image shows a deep blue sky with lit up silhouette buildings. Several buildings have wi-fi towers on the roof tops suggesting reliable broadband by the presence of consistent, concentric circles in the sky.

Our Wi-Fi is improving!

Contractors will be in the Library on Friday 23 to Tuesday 27 June to install extra Wi-Fi access points in the group study area on the 4th Floor of the Library. These extra access points will help to improve Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the building, making it easier and quicker for you to log on. 

Please bear with us through this short period of disruption.  

For your safety, this group study area will be closed but individual study spaces will still be available on this floor. There is also a range of alternative study space on the other floors and throughout campus to choose from, including group study spaces and PC labs.  

Visit Student essentials, Study space for more information about finding study spaces and booking a group study room.  

 

 

Your Library team 

University of Reading June Open Days

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Library building on a clear sunny day with hedge in the foreground.

Make sure to drop by the Library during your Open Day visit!

The Library will be welcoming Open Day visitors on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 June. Have you registered yet? If not, make sure to head over to our Open Days webpage to find out more.    

Throughout our Open Days, prospective students and their families are encouraged to visit the Library building. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff and Student Ambassadors will be on hand to answer questions and queries and provide in-person tours. Self-guided tours are also available for those who want to explore at their own pace. 

 While you’re here, make sure you check out: 

  • Study spaces: Whether you’re collaborating on a group project or prefer to study alone, we have a range of spaces to suit your needs. From bookable group study rooms to silent study spaces, you can be sure of finding your new favourite spot. 
  • Wide range of print resources: Explore our vast selection of print books and journals spanning across three floors. 
  • Study Advice desk: Learn about our Study Advisers and how they can help you get better results and discover how our Academic Liaison Librarians can help with your subject-specific queries. 

If you need to refuel, don’t forget to stop at the Library Café before exploring the rest of our beautiful campus. 

Out of time but still want to see the Library? Watch one of our self-paced tours to learn more at your leisure. 

No matter what you choose to study, the Library is ready to welcome you. Come and visit and find out how to make the most of your studies at the University of Reading. 

We look forward to seeing you. 

  

  

Your Library Team  

Using the Library over summer vacation

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With the end of term and the beginning of summer vacation, there are a few changes coming to the Library. 

The Library building behind a green lawn

Opening hours 

Summer term will end on Friday 9 June, which means our opening hours will be changing too. Between 10 June – 17 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 15 July, 12 August and 16 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

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 26 September 2023. Find out more on our ‘Borrowing over the summer’ blog. 

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 advisors are still here to support you over the summer. Why not book a 1-2-1 appointment or check out the 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 

Borrowing over the summer

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Image containing a stack of books against a blurred background of trees.

Vacation loans are here again.

Summer term will be coming to an end Friday 9 June, and we will be making some temporary changes to our borrowing policy over the Summer vacation period starting Thursday 1 June. 

If you are an undergraduate or a taught postgraduate, any standard or term loan item you borrow will be due back on Tuesday 26 September and will not be subject to recall. If your account expires before then, you will need to return the item before your course ends. 

Borrowing for staff, research postgraduates, Associate and External users will remain the same, 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 are unsure about your due dates or just have a question, you can still contact us via email or by phone. We will be moving to vacation opening hours soon so watch this space for more information! 

 

Your Library Team 

Library open Bank Holiday Mondays

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Student studying in Library

Picture credit: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The Library will be open as usual on 1 and 8 May during the Bank Holidays.

Our visitor restrictions remain in place for members of the public, but if you’re a Library member, you’ll still be able to access and borrow from our vast range of print materials using our Self-Service machines. If you’re looking for a study space, explore our 1500+ options to find your perfect spot. Our friendly staff will be available to answer your questions if you need advice and the Library Café will be open between 10:00 – 16:00 if you want a break.

While we won’t be able to deal with detailed subject queries on these days, you might find an answer on our Subject resources and guidance webpage and there’s useful exam preparation advice available online from our Study Advice Team.

Please be aware that the IT Service Desk will not be open on these dates.

 

We look forward to seeing you.

 

Your Library Team

 

 

 

 

Preparing for Easter closure

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Artificial chick surrounded by colourful eggs on a brown background

Egg-cited for the Easter vacation? Make sure you’re prepared. Image by Couleur from Pixabay

The Easter vacation is fast approaching, so make sure you know about the changes to the Library opening hours!

When are we open?

Between Monday 27 March – Wednesday 5 April, we’ll be open at the following times:

  • Monday 27 March: Open until 19:00
  • Tuesday 28 – Thursday 30 March: 08:30 – 19:00
  • Friday 31 March: 08:30 – 17:00
  • Saturday 1 April: 08:30 – 21:00
  • Sunday 2 April: Open from 08:30
  • Monday 3 – Tuesday 4 April: 24 hours
  • Wednesday 5 April: Open until Midnight

We’ll be closed between Thursday 6 April – Tuesday 11 April for the University Easter closure period.

Term time Library opening hours will resume from 08:30 Wednesday 12 April.

Please see our opening hours page for details on opening times and information about our Summer term hours.

 

When do you need to return your loans?

Loan periods and due dates will not be affected by the University closure, 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?

Screenshot of the ‘Request from Closed Access’ button

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

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

  • Off-site Store items need to be requested before 08:30 Thursday 30 March.
  • Closed Access items need to be requested before 13:30 Wednesday 5 April. 

 

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. See Using other libraries for more information about other libraries you may be available to visit. 

 

If you have any questions, please get in touch. 

Your Library Team 

 

Restrictions on Library access during examination period

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Image of University of Reading Library exterior in the sunlight against a blue sky The University Examinations period will extend from Monday 27 March to Friday 9 June 2023. During this time, the Library amends its visitor policy.

Access for members of the public will be restricted to weekends only. This is to ensure that our students have exclusive access to the study spaces that they need throughout this period.

For more information on visiting the Library as a member of the public, please visit the ‘Members of the Public’ page on our website.

 

Your Library Team

Spring into a new term

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Image of Library exterior in sunlight

Find out how the Library can support you in your studies

 

Happy New Year! Are you gearing up for success this term?  Your Library team looks forward to continuing to support you with your studies so bookmark these pages to really get going. 

Whether you need advice or simply want to improve your chances of getting excellent results, our Academic Liaison Librarians and the Study Advisers will be happy to help. Visit our training and workshops webpage for details of the sessions that you can sign up for this term. 

How are you finding our study areas? Study space is available on all floors of the Library, including individual silent study on the 5th Floor. If you’re concerned about noise levels, please use our NOISYCHAT service and help us keep our dedicated silent area silent.   

Want to know more about booking a group study room? Watch our YouTube video (or watch on Yuja) and also see our Instagram tour to discover your favourite space.  

We have over 1,500 study spaces in the Library. This term we’ll be getting much busier so at peak times, you might want to know where else you can find study space. Visit Student essentials to find out about other spaces on campus.  

Last term, we saw a significant increase in littering. We’d really appreciate your help with keeping the building clean and tidy this term. You can do this by eating in the Library Café or other suitable areas on campus. Eating is not allowed in the Library and hot food should not be brought in at any time as it creates unpleasant smells and disrupts other Library users. Please continue to use lidded containers when bringing in drinks and take care to avoid spills. We have fantastic recycling facilities for single use cups, plastic bottles and other items so if you aren’t already an avid recycler, our handy facilities can help you begin.  

Remember to bring your Campus Card with you and keep it with you when visiting the Library. It’s really important that we know who is in the building for health and safety purposes; scanning your card in and out helps us to keep you, your peers and other Library users safe.  

More information about the Library rules and policies can be found here.  

 

Your Library Team 

Christmas vacation and the Library

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

When will the Library be open? 

Image of hanging gold and white baubles

Getting ready for the Christmas holidays? Make sure you plan ahead!

The Library will be operating on reduced opening hours after term ends on Friday 9 December.  

  • From Saturday 10 December to Wednesday 21 December, the Library will be open from 08.30 to 19.00 on Monday – Thursday and 08.30 – 17.00 on Friday 16 December and Thursday 22 December. We won’t be open during the weekends. 
  • The Library will be closed Friday 23 December to Monday 2 January for the University Christmas closure. 
  • From Tuesday 3 January to Sunday 8 January, we re-open with reduced opening hours. Term-time service will resume from Monday 9 January. 

 

When do I need to return my books? 

You can borrow right up until the University Christmas closure. Standard loans can be borrowed for up to 6 weeks, but items may still be recalled until Friday 16 December. Please keep an eye on your University email account (and your Junk folder) for any recalls notices so that you can avoid fines.  

 

Last collections before Christmas closure  

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

  • Off-site Store items need to be requested before 08.30 Thursday 15 December.
  • Closed Access items need to be requested  before 13.30 Wednesday 21 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 Tuesday 3 January with our first Closed Access collection happening on Wednesday 4 January. Our first Off-site Store collection will occur on Thursday 5 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. 

 

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: 

  • …discovering how to create your reference lists using Endnote or Mendeley  
  • …checking out our Databases by subject guide and examining a new electronic resource 
  • …exploring some of the ‘further’ or ‘suggested readings’ on your reading list.
Image of Christmas parcel on white background.

Give yourself the gift of time to recharge. Photo by tijana drndarsk

 

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

Happy Holidays to you all.  

 

 

Your Library team