Category Archives: Borrowing and viewing material

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

 

 

 

 

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 

Library open Saturday 17 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 17 September, we’re open 8:30 – 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.

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!

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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.  

Seated person with a large stack of books on the desk directly in front

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 

7-day loans are changing…

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What’s happening? 

To improve your access to, and experience of using Library print books, we’re making some changes! The first of these is to loan types. On Tuesday 12 July 2022 we’ll be making all 7-day loan books standard loans so you can borrow them for longer – nearly 40,000 item records will be updated to become ‘standard loans’.

Standard loans are either 6 weeks for staff and research students, or 3 weeks for all other Library members with borrowing rights.

We hope this will improve your experience of borrowing books and help you manage your Library account more easily.

Floating open book surrounded by bookshelves filled with books in dim light Photo by @jareddc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Jaredd Craig on unsplash.com

Changes to book loans are underway

What will happen to my loans? 

All 7-day loan books that are currently on loan will automatically be made standard loan and renewed. Please check your account for your new due date(s).

There are many other changes to come, all designed to make borrowing easier. Keep up with further information about updates to Library loans and allowances via our social media, our blog or get in touch.

 

Your Library Team

Our new look Enterprise!

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Enterprise, our Library Catalogue, has had a refresh. We’ve done some updates, and brought the look more in line with our Library website.

Image shows a screenshot of the library catalogue.

Enterprise will now adjust the display depending on the device that you’re using, providing you with a better experience of searching and using the catalogue, whether you are on a laptop, or on your phone.

Image shows a screenshot of the library catalogue.

Additionally, Reading List links have been added to book records. Select ‘Reading List’ to see the list(s) that a book appears on, and click the name of the module to see the full reading list.

All the links and functions that were available in the older version can still be found on this one, so if you have any difficulty finding your way around the catalogue, let us know.

Have you tried our new look Enterprise yet? If you have any feedback, let us know!

Your Library Team

Jubilee Bank Holiday Opening hours and more

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Jubilee opening hours

 Decorative: Jubilee official assets

The Library will be open on the Bank Holidays of Thursday 2 June – Friday 3 June to align with our usual 24/6+ opening hours. 

If you are studying, come and visit us and make use of our extensive print collections! 

We won’t be able to retrieve materials from our Stores on Thursday 2 or Friday 3 June, so  

  • the next collection from our Off-site Store, will be made on Thursday 9 June.   
  • if you would like to consult an item from our Closed Access collection, please make your request by 13:00 Wednesday 1 June.   

For more information, see Requesting items from Store and Closed Access. 

 

Finishing your studies? 

Person holding a large stack of books.

Whether returning your loans or preparing to continue your studies- we can help with all your resource needs!

If you’re finishing your studies this year, why not get ahead of the curve and return your loans? We’ll be in touch with reminders. If you have an agreed extension on your course finish date, let us know so that we can update your account. 

 

Continuing your studies? 

If you’re continuing your studies at the University, why not join our Student applicants scheme? Becoming a student applicant gives you access to the Library until you begin your next programme of study in the Autumn term. See the website for more information about our membership offers. 

 

We hope you find this blog helpful. If you have any questions about Library services visit our website and LibGuides, but if you still can’t find the information you need, please get in touch.  

Your Library Team 

Library website migration

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The Library webpages have moved over to the University’s new content management system (CMS) – you may already be familiar with the new interface as many areas of the University website have already been migrated.

Partial image of the new Library website.

The migration means that the look and feel of our webpages have changed, but access to all our guidance, resources and other information should remain available. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please email us at library@reading.ac.uk so that we can help you stay on track with all your information needs.

Your Library team

Welcome to new and returning students – getting ready for Spring Term

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Happy New Year from the University of Reading Library

Welcome – or Welcome Back – to the University of Reading Library!

Your Academic Liaison Librarians wish you a Happy New Year. Now that you are preparing for Spring Term, here’s a reminder of some of the support we can provide to help you with your assignments and research this term. If you’re new to the Library building, you can take an online tour.

How to find books and academic journal articles

If you found it tricky to find the right materials last term, you can remind yourself of the Library’s search tools Enterprise and Summon via our playlists. Our playlists are all available on the University of Reading Library YouTube and will show you

  • how to search for books, journals and other materials
  • how to locate print books
  • how to borrow print books

Manage your references

When you’re planning assignments, keeping track of the books and articles that you read is really important and saves a lot of time when you’re writing your bibliography at the end of an essay. Making good notes about your references now can help you later on, so it’s a good habit to get into.

Look at the Referencing tab on your Subject Guide for guidance specific to your programme, or visit our Citing References Guide for information on when to reference, how to structure a reference and a bibliography. You’ll also find lots of helpful advice on reference management tools.

Contact your Academic Liaison Librarian

At the University, there is a Librarian for each subject. They can help you with finding information and referencing. You can email any queries to your Librarian, or arrange a 1-1 appointment to discuss a specific question.

Find out who your Librarian is here: www.reading.ac.uk/library/liaison

If you are a new student, you’ll find all the information you need on our New Students Guide.

Kim Coles,
Academic Liaison Team Manager

 

Christmas Vacation – Library loans, opening hours and more

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Close up image of the word Library as mounted on the library building cladding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s been a busy Autumn term!  

The final week of term begins on Monday! We thought this would be a good time to share the Library vacation information with you, to help you get the most out of your Library through the break. 

 

Online help 

All our expert staff are available online to help and advise you through the vacation before, and after, the University closure period. Through this time, the following services will be available 

  • For advice on resources for all your course needs, contact your Academic Liaison Librarian, they can assist by helping you to make the most of the Library resources.  
  • Study Advice can help you develop your study skills through the online tutorials and bookable sessions on offer.   
  • The Research Engagement team are available to help support your research needs. If you require help with Open Access, research data management and other research related matters, visit their webpages for further support. 

Once we enter the University closure period, you will still be able to gain help and support through the range of training guides and videos that the teams have produced. 

 

Store and Closed Access requests 

If you need materials from the off-site Store or from our Closed Access shelves, please make sure you place your request in good time. The final dates of collection are as follows 

  • Store collections – Thursday 16 December. Requests for items should be submitted by 8:00, that morning so that they can be processed for retrieval.  
  • Closed Access collections – Wednesday 22 December. Please submit your request before 13:45 if you wish to consult a closed access item in advance of the closure period. 

We will resume Closed Access collections on Tuesday 4 January and from Store on Thursday 6 January. For more information, see Requesting items from Store and Closed Access. 

 

Vacation loans  

To ensure you have good access to resources over the break, vacation loan periods will apply as follows 

  • Items from our Short Loan/overnight loan collection borrowed on Friday 17 December will not need to be returned until Tuesday 4 January 2022, but they must be returned by 11:00 to avoid any charges.  
  • 7-day loans borrowed from Monday 20 December will not need to be returned until the end of the closure period (Tuesday 4 January 2022).  
  • Standard loans (3-week loans) will naturally issue over the break from Friday 3 December. Term loans will update on 2 December so that any items issued then will not be due until Tuesday 22 March 2022.  

Recalls will still apply until the University closure begins so, please remember to check your University email and return any recalls in good time.  

 

Vacation opening hours 

The Library will be open 24/6+ until Friday 10 December, when we will be closing at Midnight. This also signals the start of the weekend closure, and the start of vacation hours as follows 

 

From  To  Opening hours 
Saturday 11 December  Sunday 12 December  CLOSED 
Monday 13 December  Thursday 16 December  Open 8:30 – 19:00 
Friday 17 December    Open 8:30 – 17:00 
Saturday 18 December  Sunday 19 December   CLOSED 
Monday 20 December  Wednesday 22 December  Open 8:30 – 19:00 
Thursday 23 December    Open 8:30 – 17:00 
Friday 24 December  Monday 4 January  CLOSED 

 

Much of the University will be closed between Friday 24 December and Tuesday 4 January. On Tuesday 4 January, the Library will reopen as follows  

 

Tuesday 4 January                        Thursday 6 January                              Open 8:30 – 19:00 
Friday 7 January      Open 8:30 – 17:00 
Saturday 8 January      Open 8:30 – 19:00 
Sunday 9 January    Open 8:30 24/6+ resume. 

 

Further information on the Library opening hours, including the IT Service Desk can be found on the Opening hours webpage.  

If you have a general enquiry, please contact us ahead of the University closure dates by emailing library@reading.ac.uk or phone 0118 378 8770. 

Best wishes, 

Your Library Team 

 

Reopening memberships for alumni, past staff and others

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Good news! We are reopening memberships for the following groups:

  • Friends of the University
  • STC and Reading Enterprise Centre
  • Reading graduates
  • Retired University staff
  • Lord Zuckerman Research Centre & RSSL
  • Teachers at partnership schools.

The annual rate for membership for users with a connection to the University is £45 per year. For further information, visit our memberships page.

Membership includes:

  • full access during all building open hours
  • ability to borrow five Standard (3 week) loan items
  • up to five renewals (unless the item is recalled)
  • 24/7 access to your Library account.

If you come under one of the categories listed above and would like to become a Library member, visit us between 9:00 – 17:00 Monday to Thursday, or 10:00 – 17:00 on Friday. To get started, please visit the membership webpage for further information, including the application form and remember to bring a valid proof of your status when you come to complete your application.

We aren’t able to provide general external membership to others yet, but we are keeping this under review so please keep an eye on our website for more information.

If you need further information, get in touch with us in advance of your visit via email at library@reading.ac.uk.

 

Your Library Team