Category Archives: Environment

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.

 

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

Library Click & Collect service

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Your Library team is excited to announce that from Monday 13 July Library members will be able to borrow some print books via a new ‘Click & Collect’ style service.

Yellow tape on door mat marks social distancing queue points

Please enter the front door and queue two metres apart

We’ve rearranged things so you’ll be able to place holds via Enterprise (the Library catalogue) on items that are ‘on the shelf’, just like you do with items on loan. We’ll fetch requested books from the shelves each day and you’ll get an email from us when your items are ready for you to collect.

You’ll be able to place holds from Thursday 9 July and the Library will be open for collections only 11:00 – 14:00 Monday to Friday from 13 July. We’ll keep your items available for up to five days as usual.

Barrier tape marks route to collection point

There’s a one-way route to your collection point

We’ve worked hard to put procedures in place that will keep you and our staff safe whilst participating with this service. When you arrive at the Library you’ll find a queuing system in place providing a one-way contactless route in and out of the building, and signs showing you where to stand to maintain your social distance from others.

You’ll be able to engage with staff at a collection point in the foyer, one at a time. We’ll ask you to put your Campus Card down and then step back so we can step forward to read your name and card number. Once we’ve issued your books to you we’ll put them down and step back so you can come forward to collect your books and card.

Barrier tape marks route to exit

Exit by the side door

We’ll wipe the collection point in between each person. We’ll also be wearing gloves when we handle your books.

This service is take-away only and the Library building remains closed for general use. For full details of all aspects of this service visit our Click & Collect FAQs webpage.

Sue Egleton, Associate Director (Systems & User Services)

Library Click & Collect service

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Your Library team is excited to announce that from Monday 13 July Library members will be able to borrow some print books via a new ‘Click & Collect’ style service.

Yellow tape on door mat marks social distancing queue points

Please enter the front door and queue two metres apart

We’ve rearranged things so you’ll be able to place holds via Enterprise (the Library catalogue) on items that are ‘on the shelf’, just like you do with items on loan. We’ll fetch requested books from the shelves each day and you’ll get an email from us when your items are ready for you to collect.

You’ll be able to place holds from Thursday 9 July and the Library will be open for collections only 11:00 – 14:00 Monday to Friday from 13 July. We’ll keep your items available for up to five days as usual.

Barrier tape marks route to collection point

There’s a one-way route to your collection point

We’ve worked hard to put procedures in place that will keep you and our staff safe whilst participating with this service. When you arrive at the Library you’ll find a queuing system in place providing a one-way contactless route in and out of the building, and signs showing you where to stand to maintain your social distance from others.

You’ll be able to engage with staff at a collection point in the foyer, one at a time. We’ll ask you to put your Campus Card down and then step back so we can step forward to read your name and card number. Once we’ve issued your books to you we’ll put them down and step back so you can come forward to collect your books and card.

Barrier tape marks route to exit

Exit by the side door

We’ll wipe the collection point in between each person. We’ll also be wearing gloves when we handle your books.

This service is take-away only and the Library building remains closed for general use. For full details of all aspects of this service visit our Click & Collect FAQs webpage.

Sue Egleton, Associate Director (Systems & User Services)

Events welcoming you to your University Library

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We’re really excited to welcome all new students starting next week here at the Library. Find out about the events we have planned to welcome you and everything else we’ll be doing in Welcome Week and beyond!

Library welcome events

Every day during Welcome Week we’re putting on events to introduce you to the Library, and to give you some time to relax in your busy week.

Escape box challenge – Monday 23 and Thursday 26 September, 13:00-15:00 

Think escape room but on a slightly smaller scale. Turn up any time during the two hours to have a go at figuring out our puzzles and finding the Library secret! Compete with other student groups – the quickest will win a prize.

Special Collections – Tuesday 24 September, 14:00-16:00 

Our Special Collections team, based at The MERL next to our London Road campus, will be coming to the Library to give you a taste of their amazing collections. You can also make your own badges and books!

Summon speed searching – Wednesday 25 September, 13:00-15:00 

Have a go at our speed searching challenge to get to know our main search engine for articles, Summon. If you’re quick enough to reach the top of our leader board then you’ll leave with a prize!

Library leisure time – Friday 27 September, 13:00-15:00 

You might already know that you can find your course text books at the Library, but did you know that we have fiction too? Come along to make your own origami bookmark, read book reviews from our staff and borrow one of our mystery books!

Library stand at Module Information Fair

The Library team will have a stand at the Module Information Fair in the marquee by the Students’ Union on Tuesday 24 September, 12:00-16:00. Come and chat with our friendly staff if you have an questions about the Library, and to find out about everything else we’re doing during Welcome Week.

You can also pick up some freebies including a Study Advice year planner and take a picture with our selfie frame while you’re there.

Library tours

If you’d like to have a look around our newly refurbished Library then come along to one of our tours which are running throughout Welcome Week and week one. During Welcome Week tours will run at 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30 every day. There are fewer tours during week one, running at 11:00, 12:00 and 14:00 each day.

You can book on RISIS via the ‘Library course bookings’ link in the ‘Actions’ tab, or just turn up at the Library and meet by our display in the foyer. We’ll guide you round the building and tell you everything you need to know about using the Library. If you’re a Postgraduate student, come along to our Tuesday tour!

More information

We’ll be posting about what we’re up to throughout the week so check Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for further updates. You can have a look at our YouTube channel to find out more about using the Library too.

You can also ask for help at the Welcome Desk on the Ground Floor of the Library, or speak to one of our roving members of staff.

Katie Winter, Academic Liaison Support Librarian

No access to 1st Floor 10-19 August

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The 1st Floor of the Library will be closed during the week of 10 to 19 August so that the space can be used for Clearing.

With Clearing itself taking place on 15 and 16 August 2019 in the 1st Floor of the Library, it will be closed from 10 to 19 August to allow for setup and strike down of the equipment necessary for Clearing.

Study space will still be available on the ground, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Floors throughout this time, including a few PC spaces on the 4th Floor. There are also a variety of alternative study spaces across campus, including 24-hour PC labs in Agriculture GL20, Meteorology GL68 and Palmer G.09.

Katie Winter, Academic Liaison Support Librarian

Book moves to the 2nd Floor

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What’s changing?

With the Library refurbishment drawing towards its later stages, the 2nd Floor is nearly ready to be reopened. The next phase involves moving stock to their final locations on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Floors.

When will it start?

We anticipate that the book moves will start in the week beginning 29 July, though this is subject to approval from Building Maintenance. We’ll keep you updated on this blog and on Twitter (@UniRdg_Library) and Facebook (@universityofreadinglibrary).

Can I still access my books?

Yes! In keeping with our strategy to maximise access to stock throughout the Refurbishment Project, all books will remain accessible as far as possible throughout the move. Each shelf will be unavailable for around thirty minutes whilst the stock is being moved. The Library catalogue will also be updated to reflect the new locations, usually within a day.

Where will I find my books after the move?

Normal size books, large books and journals of the same Call Number will all be found on the same floor.

2nd Floor

000s – computer science

100s – philosophy, psychology

200s – religion

300s – social sciences, law

3rd Floor

400s – languages, linguistics

500s – science

600s – technology, business, typography

700s – arts

Teaching Practice

4th Floor

800s – literature

900s – history, geography, archaeology

Where can I get help?

Library staff will still be available at the Welcome Desk on the Ground Floor – please contact them if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

More information

Keep up to date with the latest study space and Library refurbishment news on our Library refurbishment webpage.

Katie Winter, Academic Liaison Support Librarian

Library refurbishment: Change to entrance

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You can enter the library from the left-hand side (nearest the cafe).

Next Tuesday 28 May, the area around the current right-hand Library entrance doors will be closed off. The doors to the left of the entrance will be opened in their place. This is to allow for work to be finished on landscaping around the entrance.

These changes will affect the out-of-hours Book Drop next to the entrance, which will be inaccessible while this area is closed off. You will still be able to return books inside the Library building from 09:00-22:00 every day and in the Library@URS building which remains open at all times except Saturday night.

These works are expected to take about one week. Once the works are complete, both sides of the entrance will be available.

Also from next Tuesday, the Library can only be accessed from the direction of Palmer quad and Edith Morley. If you are coming from the direction of Library@URS, you will need to cross the quad towards Edith Morley and approach from that direction. These works are expected to take several weeks.

Further information

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.

Katie Winter, Trainee Liaison Librarian

 

Library refurbishment: new glass lifts

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Person holding out arms to display new glass lift behind

RUSU Disabled Students’ Officer, Blythe Varney was the first student to try out a glass lift. She loves these new bigger lifts because they can take bigger wheelchairs, have ‘a nice smooth ride and they’re a lot of fun to use’.

Library refurbishment continues to make good progress with the significant milestone of the first new lift and staircase becoming operational from today, Tuesday 23 April, with two more lifts coming very soon. This will improve accessibility to upper floors and enable work to start on removing the old lifts.

Use the new lift to reach group study space on the 1st Floor and all books and materials which remain available on the 3rd and 4th Floors. Meanwhile refurbishment continues on the closed 2nd and 5th Floors. Behind the hoardings, the demolition of the central staircase behind the old lifts is now complete. This will create space for print hubs on every floor and a silent study PC area on the 5th Floor.

The works involved in removing the old lifts may sometimes be noisy and disruptive. Alternative quiet and silent study spaces are available in the Library@URS building, as well as a variety of alternative study space options across campus. A guide to the availability of study space across the campus can be seen here: Study space update.

This 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.

Rachel Redrup, Marketing Co-ordinator
for University Communications

 

Restricted Library/URS entry for exam-time

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Despite opening extensive hours from Saturday 6 April until Friday 14 June, please note access restrictions to Library buildings. From Monday to Friday, Library space is reserved for University Campus and Library Card holders only. Visitors are only permitted at weekends with prior arrangement. This is to prevent disruption to our revising students from non-University members, right until their last exam is over.

We operate a ‘no card, no access policy’ and reserve the right to refuse access to anyone, including University members, who cannot identify themselves adequately.

How card-holders get in

You already need your campus card to enter the Library building at all times. You will also need your card to enter Library@URS after 17:00 and before 08:30 on weekdays, and all weekend. When other doors are locked, please enter by the right-hand doors of Library@URS. Card-holders gain automatic entry by placing their Campus Card on the ‘proximity reader’ beside the right-hand door.

Restrictions for visitors

6 April—14 June Members of the public without cards are only admitted on weekends, by prior appointment.

Regrettably, they may not use study spaces here as these are required by our own students revising for exams. Visitors are encouraged to look to their own school, college or public library for study space.

As always, our policy is that children in the Library must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

The Library Café will remain accessible throughout, but we apologise to visitors unable to use Café Libro during restricted periods.

UoR campus card faulty?

Should your University Campus Card fail to open our doors with the card reader, please ask Campus Card Services to fix the fault via their Campus Card non-residential door access report form or email cardfinance@reading.ac.uk.

Alternative study space during Library refurb

Whilst refurbishment works continue in the Library building this summer there will be some construction noise. Besides the quieter Library@URS building, UoR students can also use additional study space listed on the Library Refurbishment Project page.

Katie Winter, Trainee Liaison Librarian for
Sue Egleton, Associate Director (Systems & User Services)

Library refurbishment: new walkway

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New walkway to Library building entrance (marked in blue).

Starting this week, there will be a new temporary walkway created to access the Library building. This will allow landscaping work to be undertaken next to the Library entrance.

This new walkway (marked on the image in blue) will be slightly further away from the building. This will be used when approaching the Library from the direction of Palmer quad or Whiteknights House. Access from the direction of the URS building remains the same.

The area marked in red is where the landscaping work will be taking place. This work is due to be completed at the start of May.

Further information

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.

Katie Winter, Trainee Liaison Librarian

Book moves to 4th Floor complete

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As of 18 February the latest round of book moves are complete. All of the books and other materials from the 2nd Floor have been moved to the 4th Floor so that work can start on refurbishing the 2nd Floor.

Where are items now located?

3rd Floor

  • 100s – philosophy, psychology
  • 200s – religion
  • 400s – languages, linguistics
  • 500s – science
  • 600s – technology, business, typography
  • 700s – arts
  • Oversize MF 000-700
  • European Documentation Centre (EDC)
  • Music CDs
  • Teaching Practice Collection

4th Floor

  • 000s – computer science
  • 300s – social sciences, law
  • 800s – literature
  • 900s – history, geography, archaeology
  • Oversize MF 800-900
  • Journals in all subjects
  • Maps

Need help finding something?

If you need help locating an item or subject in the new arrangement please ask at the Information Desks.

More information

Keep up to date with the latest study space and Library refurbishment news on our Library refurbishment webpage.

Katie Winter, Trainee Liaison Librarian