Category Archives: Borrowing and viewing material

Library refurbishment: return to a single Library building

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Chairs in front of a long enquiry counter where on the other sides a librarian sits talking on phone. Two people are talking across the far end of the counter.

Come to the Library building Welcome Desk where Library staff have relocated to assess all your library-related queries!

Library refurbishment has reached the significant point where services and study space return to one single building! Most services are already up and running in the Library building, with our contractors moving study space furniture and PCs back from the Library@URS building over the next days. The Library@URS building is now closed, as of 2 July 2019.

Services in the Library building

Books on shelves to left of table and chairs with packing crates sticked to right.

Overnight loan books moved back to the Library building to form Short Loan (formerly Course Collection) on the Ground Floor. You also collect ‘Holds’ here now.

Services now returned to the Library building include Library User Services’ Ground Floor Welcome Desk; the Short Loan collection of overnight loan material (formerly Course Collection); and the Holds shelf where you can collect requested material. Come to the Library building once more to receive Study Advice and Maths Support, or help from your subject’s Liaison Librarians.

Small beared-person behind counter helps long-haired person sitting on a stool infront of him.

Receive IT help in person at the IT Service Desk on the Library’s 1st Floor!

The IT Service Desk is now restablished on the 1st Floor, where more and more PCs will arrive to create an area for individual and group PC study, with two teaching rooms.

People sit on seats outside large building with glass front and metalic brown cladding.

Try out communal benches for groups or single seats for individual reading outside the Library Café this summer!

You may already know the well-established Library Café, but do try out the smart, new outside seating which includes communal benches for groups, and single seats for individual reading.

Coming to the Library building soon!

Quiet and group study area seating is due to return to the 3rd and 4th Floors over the next weeks. (We anticipate refurbishment of the 2nd Floor to be completed in time to reopen in August.)

View of construction site from above,. One shelter is roofed, another has beams raised above a concrete pad.

New cycle shelters are under construction, in line with the University’s environmental policies.

Work continues in several areas, including on new cycle shelters – which can be viewed from the new lift stairs – so note that there may still sometimes be noise and disruption in the Library building. Although the Library@URS is closing, a variety of alternative study space options remain across campus.

Further information

Library refurbishment forms part of the University’s ambitious 2026: Transform capital investment programme, which focuses on improving campus facilities and supporting the student experience by the University’s 100th anniversary of its charter.

To keep up to date with the latest Library refurbishment news, please visit the Library refurbishment webpage and look out for posts on this Library blog.

Rachel Redrup for University Communications

Use other libraries with SCONUL Access scheme

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Are you going home for a break but still want to get some research done? Or are you someone thinking of visiting our Library and want your own access card to make your visits here that much easier?

Then follow the instructions below to see if you could join the SCONUL scheme!

What is SCONUL?sconul logo

The SCONUL Access scheme is a reciprocal relationship between many university libraries across the UK and Ireland allowing members of the different institutions to make use of each other’s libraries.

What access can I get?

Depending on whether you are a full or part-time student, an undergraduate, postgraduate or staff member, you could be eligible for borrowing books or reference access to other SCONUL Access member libraries.

How do I apply?

Go to the SCONUL Access participating libraries page and select your status and home institution.  You will then see a list of all the libraries that you are eligible to use. Select the library that you wish to use and click on the ‘apply for access’ button and complete the online form.

You will receive an email authorizing your registration at all the libraries you are eligible to join.  Simply take your email and University Campus Card along to the Library you wish to access and you will be issued with your own access or library card.

Remember you only need to apply once – you can use the same email to join as many libraries as you want!

Note: Not all libraries are members of the scheme, and not all members of the scheme accept all types of users. Each library participating in SCONUL Access chooses which types of users to accept under the scheme. The SCONUL Access participating libraries page will only the display the ones you can use. If you are unsure please contact the Library.

Further information

If you are a current University of Reading student or staff member looking to use another institutions library please follow the link here.

If you are a member of another institution looking to use the University of Readings Library resources please follow the link here

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services

Get ready for summer vacation borrowing

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Term will end on Friday 14 June and standard loans will be extended for all taught students from Thursday 6 June.

Any standard loans borrowed by undergraduates or taught postgraduates will have their due date extended until 1 October or until the end of your course, whichever is earlier and will not be recalled.

For all other Library members standard loans will continue as normal, meaning they can be recalled.

7-day and Overnight loans operate as normal throughout the vacation for all users.  Please continue to check your Library account as fines will accrue on any overdue 7-day and Overnight loan items.

Remember:

  • Standard loans – yours all summer if you are an undergraduate or Masters student!
  • 7-day loans – loan periods remain the same for all users.
  • Keep checking your emails and Library account for any recall notices.
  • Course Collection loans – remain the same, due back at 11:00am the next day.
  • Fines – pay online via the Campus Card Portal, in person at the Information Desk, or over the phone.

More Information

Please visit our website for more information.

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services

Bank Holiday Closed Access and Store Requests

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Remember that there will be no Closed Access or Store collections on Bank Holiday Monday.

Closed Access collections will resume on Tuesday 7 May. The next Store collection will take place on Thursday 9 May.

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 or our Store items video guide.

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services

Settle up before graduation!

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If you are graduating this summer then please don’t forget to return your loans and clear your account before you go. If you have any outstanding fines or bills you can pay online via the Campus Card Portal or at the Ground Floor Information Desk now situated in the Library@URS Building.

Before you leave don’t forget to return:

  • Standard loan, 7-day loan and journal items to the Library Building
  • Course Collection items to the Library@URS Building

Money left on your card?

Save the pennies and avoid having any leftover money on your Campus Card at the end of your course. When you top-up your card via the Campus Card Portal there is now no minimum amount you have to spend. This means you can top-up exactly what you need to see you through to the end of term!

Membership after you graduate

If you are interested in borrowing from the University Library after you graduate, annual Library membership is half-price at £45! Alternatively, if you are beginning a new course at UoR next session you can apply for membership over the summer for a reduced charge of £20. Registrations for membership can be made at the Ground Floor Information Desk in the URS Building.

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services

Last call for Store and Closed Access requests!

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Get your requests in before our deadlines to collect items in time for the Easter closure that are not found on our subject floors! 

  • Off-Site Store items will need to be requested before 08:15 on Monday 15 April
  • Closed Access items will need to be requested before 10:30 on Tuesday 16 April.

Normal service will resume on Tuesday 23 April with the first Closed Access collection on that day and the first Store collection on Thursday 25 April.

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 or our Store items video guide.

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services

Contactless borrowing with Self-Service Points

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Campus Card reader

Simply tapping your Campus Card here will give you access to your Library account!

Soon you will no longer need to scan the barcode of your Campus Card to borrow items at our new Self-Service Points in the University Library.

Simply holding your Campus Card up to the mifare chip reader beneath the screen will allow you to borrow items and check the status of your account as normal.

Course Collection machines?

Please note that the Self-Service Points in Course Collection will still require you to scan your Campus Card to be able to borrow items.

When?

Our new Self-Service Points will be updated in the week commencing 1 April.

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services

Borrowing and opening hours over Easter

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With the Easter vacation approaching, make sure you know our upcoming opening hours and borrowing policies for the break!

Opening hours

Our opening hours will be changing over the Easter Vacation period.

Between Monday 1 and Friday 5 April the Library Building will be open from 09:00-17:00.

Between Monday 1 and Friday 5 April the Library@URS Building will be open from 08:30-19:00.

Between Saturday 6 and Tuesday 16 April we will revert to normal term-time opening hours. 

Both Library buildings will be closed for the University Easter Closure between Wednesday 17 and Monday 22 April.

Please see our opening hours webpage for more information.

Borrowing

To help with all that revision over the break, it will be ‘business as usual’ with loan periods remaining the same in vacation as all term. However, no items will be due for return between Wednesday 17 and Monday 22 April; during the University closure period.

Please keep up to date with your Library account as due dates could change as items are recalled.

More information

Please visit our website for more information. 

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services.

Use other libraries with SCONUL Access scheme

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Are you going home for a break but still want to get some research done? Or are you someone thinking of visiting our Library and want your own access card to make your visits here that much easier?

Then follow the instructions below to see if you could join the SCONUL scheme!

What is SCONUL?sconul logo

The SCONUL Access scheme is a reciprocal relationship between many university libraries across the UK and Ireland allowing members of the different institutions to make use of each other’s libraries.

What access can I get?

Depending on whether you are a full or part-time student, an undergraduate, postgraduate or staff member, you could be eligible for borrowing books or reference access to other SCONUL Access member libraries.

How do I apply?

Go to the SCONUL Access participating libraries page and select your status and home institution.  You will then see a list of all the libraries that you are eligible to use. Select the library that you wish to use and click on the ‘apply for access’ button and complete the online form.

You will receive an email authorizing your registration at all the libraries you are eligible to join.  Simply take your email and University Campus Card along to the Library you wish to access and you will be issued with your own access or library card.

Remember you only need to apply once – you can use the same email to join as many libraries as you want!

Note: Not all libraries are members of the scheme, and not all members of the scheme accept all types of users. Each library participating in SCONUL Access chooses which types of users to accept under the scheme. The SCONUL Access participating libraries page will only the display the ones you can use. If you are unsure please contact the Library.

Further information

If you are a current University of Reading student or staff member looking to use another institutions library please follow the link here.

If you are a member of another institution looking to use the University of Readings Library resources please follow the link here

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services

Play fair and share in the Library

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Male students reading books

Help make the Library work effectively by respecting everyone’s right to resources and space. Just a minute checking when your Library loans are due back or clearing a desk space for others can help make this term a success for everyone.

Here’s some simple suggestions on how to keep on top of your Library account, save time and money, help your friends, and provide a pleasant and productive working environment for all:

 

  • Return Library items on time

Avoid fines and help fellow users access the material they need. Make use of the e-receipts function on the Library’s new Self-Service machines to keep track of those important due dates!

 

  • Keep up to date with your account

Remember to check your University email to keep updated with any reminders the Library sends you – including new due dates for recalled items!

 

  • Don’t hog study spaces with your belongings

Please free up study spaces for other users when you are leaving the area for a substantial time. This allows other users the chance to utilise out study areas and keeps your valuables safe.

 

Check out our ‘Using the Library’ and ‘Policies and Rules’ pages for more information.

 

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services

Request items we don’t stock with Inter-Library Loans!

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Do we not stock that one book you really want for your dissertation? Then why not see if you can borrow it from another Library through our Inter-Library Loans service!

What are Inter-Library Loans?

The Inter-Library Loans service delivers material you need which is not held in our Library. We can obtain a wide range of academic books, journals, and conference proceedings from other libraries.

All members of the University can request inter-library loans – Staff, Students, and Associates. Please note that the Inter-Library loan service is not available to External borrowers.

Do I have to pay to make a request?

We do not charge for the majority of requests, however we do charge for certain items and repeated renewals.

We would also charge users for any overdue or lost requested items.

Please see our webpage for more information. 

How can I request a loan?

You will need to fill in a request form via Unicorn with a much detail as possible about the item you want to request.

The length of time it will take for your item to be processed varies so as a guide please allow a minimum of two weeks for your request to be ready.

Although in some cases items will be ready for collection within a couple of days of the request!

More information

Please see our Inter-Library Loans webpage for further information.

 

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services

 

Use other libraries with SCONUL Access scheme

Posted on by

Are you going home for the holidays but still want to get some research done? Or are you someone thinking of visiting our Library and want your own access card to make your visits here that much easier?

Then follow the instructions below to see if you could join the SCONUL scheme!

What is SCONUL?sconul logo

The SCONUL Access scheme is a reciprocal relationship between many university libraries across the UK and Ireland allowing members of the different institutions to make use of each other’s libraries.

What access can I get?

Depending on whether you are a full or part-time student, an undergraduate, postgraduate or staff member, you could be eligible for borrowing books or reference access to other SCONUL Access member libraries.

How do I apply?

Go to the SCONUL Access participating libraries page and select your status and home institution.  You will then see a list of all the libraries that you are eligible to use. Select the library that you wish to use and click on the ‘apply for access’ button and complete the online form.

You will receive an email authorizing your registration at all the libraries you are eligible to join.  Simply take your email and University Campus Card along to the Library you wish to access and you will be issued with your own access or library card.

Remember you only need to apply once – you can use the same email to join as many libraries as you want!

Note: Not all libraries are members of the scheme, and not all members of the scheme accept all types of users. Each library participating in SCONUL Access chooses which types of users to accept under the scheme. The SCONUL Access participating libraries page will only the display the ones you can use. If you are unsure please contact the Library.

Further information

If you are a current University of Reading student or staff member looking to use another institutions library please follow the link here.

If you are a member of another institution looking to use the University of Readings Library resources please follow the link here

Matthew Pearson, Library User Services