Collections from our Off-site Store have now been reinstated.
Thank you for your patience whilst essential building maintenance took place.
Category Archives: Borrowing and viewing material
Winter vacation? Snow problem!
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:
- …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.
Keep on top of your studies but don’t forget to enjoy a well-deserved break!
Happy Holidays to you all.
Your Library team
Off-site Store items – temporarily unavailable
Collections 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.
Using the Library over summer vacation
With the end of term and the beginning of summer vacation, there are a few changes taking place in the Library.
Opening hours
Summer term ended on Friday 7 June, which means our opening hours have now changed too. Between 8 June – 22 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 13 July, 17 August and 21 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 24 September 2024.
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 advisors 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
Discover Recycle UoR Reading
Explore the collection, or consider donating something yourself.
Are you ever in the Library and wish you could read something that wasn’t part of a reading list? Have you seen something about ‘Recycle UoR Reading’ and wondered what it was about?
Look no further!
‘Recycle UoR Reading’ is a relatively new scheme that was launched in September 2023 to help repurpose surplus Library stock and book donations, making them available to you. The display can be found in the Quiet Study and Holds area on the Ground Floor of the Library and all items are available to our users to take away free of charge. This is a great way to find potential leisure reading, or maybe to help supplement your study material at no cost to you.
Got some items that you would like to donate?
A book donation box can be found near the display where you can deposit any unwanted items. These will be assessed and hopefully added to the display for someone else to enjoy.
Come to the Ground Floor Quiet Study and Holds area and find out more.
Since the launch of the scheme, 440 books have already found new homes, and 90 items have been donated. The selection is refreshed regularly so there will always be some new material on display, so why not drop into the Library and see what’s on offer?
For more information or for any questions about the scheme, please contact Kate Devaney (Collections Services Manager) at k.r.devaney@reading.ac.uk
Our visitor policy is changing
Our visitor policy is changing from the 1 October 2023.
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.
Using the Library over summer vacation
With the end of term and the beginning of summer vacation, there are a few changes coming to the Library.
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
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
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
Christmas vacation and the Library
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?
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.
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.
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
Library open Saturday 17 September
Stay ahead of the term time rush and come and make the most of our final summer vacation Saturday opening.
On Saturday 17 September, we’re open 8:30 – 17:00 and our friendly staff will be on hand all day to answer your questions.
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.
Keen to stay hydrated? Although the Library Café won’t be open, water fountains are available on most floors. You’re also welcome to bring your own lidded drink.
Please be aware that 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
Borrow more books for longer!
As well as upgrading all our 7-day loan books to standard loan we’re making even more improvements so you can borrow more books for longer.
Items can be loaned at the Self-Service Points on the Ground Floor
What’s changing?
From Tuesday 16 August
- loan allowances will be increased
All undergraduates, taught postgraduates, and associate members will be able to borrow up to 25 books.
- increased standard loan period
We decided that all members of the University Library would benefit from the same 6 week loan period so all standard loans will be issued for 6 weeks, subject to recall.
- no more overdue fines (EXCEPT for overdue recalls).
Overdue fines on items that are not in demand will no longer apply.
Fines will only be applicable if you receive an email to say an item is recalled, and you do not return the item before the recall date. Overdue fines on term loans will no longer apply nor will fines be charged on overdue periodicals. In other words, apart from late return on recalled items, fines will no longer be charged.
What about Short Loan?
All Short Loan items (items which were previously overnight loan only) are now available for standard loan.
Remember, due to changes to loan periods, these items can be borrowed for 6 weeks. A small number of very popular items have been made non-loan and they are shelved in the main collection. Photocopies are also non-loan and are shelved on the Ground Floor in the quiet study area.
What if the item I need is on loan?
If you’re already worrying that you won’t be able to get hold of the book(s) you need, please don’t – we’ve got that covered!
If all copies of an item you need are on loan, please place a hold. This will ensure that the item is recalled and alerts us to the increased demand for the item. We have procedures in place which mean, if an increased demand is evidenced, we endeavour to buy further copies.
By using the Library services and systems that are already in place you’ll find the new loan periods a real enhancement when borrowing print books.
Remember – keep an eye on your account to ensure that you know
- what items you have on loan and
- how many you have.
These improvements, along with keeping an eye on your account, should mean you need never get a Library fine again!
As always, if you have any questions or wish to provide feedback on these changes, please let us know.
Your Library Team