Category Archives: Opening hours

New year, new habits – making the most of your Library

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Happy New Year and welcome to the Spring term. Our Library teams look forward to continuing to support you with your studies.  

If you’re a January starter, we recommend that you look at our top recommendations in the Information for new students LibGuide. If you’re returning to Campus, we’d like to share the following reminders on how to make the most of the services, resources and facilities. 

 

Support with your studies 

Do you need help with an aspect of your studies? Your Academic Liaison Librarian and the Study Advisors will be happy to assist. Take a look at the Training and workshops webpage for more information, links to guides, training materials and more!  

 

Study areas  

Study space is available on all floors of the Library, including individual silent study on the 5th Floor. If you are using this study area, please remember that it is entirely silent so you may prefer to use the individual quiet study areas, located on all other floors, or the range of group study spaces.  

‘Want to know more? 

  • Watch our YouTube video about study areas in the Library or see our Instagram tour to find your favourite space.
  • Find out about additional study space on campus. Visit the Essentials webpages https://www.reading.ac.uk/essentials/Study/Study-space to discover more and, if you’re a postgraduate student, you can also enquire with your department to find out if they can advise on other suitable locations.  

 

Please note: you may find it useful to familiarise yourself with other locations as, at peak times, you may need to find alternative study space. We are currently operating at a slightly reduced study space capacity due to the increased need for ventilation within the building. This provision is aligned with University health and safety guidance. 

 

Stay safe 

If you are using study space in the Library, help us to keep open and stay safe by: 

  • Not moving furniture – study areas have been specifically configured to comply with capacity allowances in relation to ventilation requirements. 
  • Keeping windows open, on ventilation mode, if studying in a space next to a window.  
  • Wearing a face covering (unless you are exempt) when using the Library.  

Masks and other face coverings should cover the nose and the mouth and should remain in place at all times. 

  • Following the one-way systems, using the sanitisation stations and not using the lifts in groups.  

Single occupancy of lifts and other measures are all still in place so please refresh your knowledge of our Covid-19 safety information. Look out for our signage and notices displayed throughout the building to assist you.  

  • Not eating in the Library.  

Help us to keep the building clean, safe and tidy by eating in the Library Café or other suitable spaces on campus. Please do not bring hot food into the Library at any time as this creates unpleasant smells, and is disruptive for other Library users.  

  • Using lidded containers, when bringing drinks into the Library.  

Non-alcoholic hot and cold drinks are permitted – we have recycling facilities for single use cups and plastic bottles.  

 

Visiting the Library between midnight and 8:00? Remember to bring your campus card for entry via the keypad next to the right hand side entry door.  

 

Recalled items 

The Library is a shared resource, so please look out for our recall emails and courtesy reminders. If someone places a hold on an item that you have out, a recall notice will be sent to your University email account. Recalled items must be returned so that other users needing a particular book can gain access. If you still need the item, simply place a request once it has been returned so that the next available copy can be held for you. Further information on recalls can be found here.

 

Opening hours 

24/6+ opening hours resumed on Sunday 9 January – full details of the opening hours may be found here. 

 

Do you follow us on social media? If not, this may be the perfect time to begin so that you can stay up to date and make the most of your Library! 

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Your Library Team

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 

 

Hello again and welcome back! 

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Following on from Welcome last week, we wanted to ensure that we said ‘welcome back’ to the Library to all of our continuing students too. 

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We’re here to help you with all of your Library questions

We know last year was difficult for everyone and especially for those of you who grappled with online and remote learning. Many of you have been away from campus for a while so, please ask us for assistance if things feel unfamiliar.  

We are pleased to say that many of the measures that were in operation in the Library over the past year have been disbanded! 

 

Study space bookings 

Since 3 September, study space bookings are no longer required for individual study spaces and group study is available again. The 1st Floor Group Study Rooms can, once more, be booked in advance. See our recent blog for more information.  

 

Click & Collect 

Click & Collect has ended and you can now browse the shelves and borrow items without having to place holds in advance of your visit. More information about how and when to place a hold on an item can be found on the Placing & cancelling a hold webpage. 

We’ve retained the one-way system, sanitisation stations and enhanced cleaning as these have all proven to be useful over the last year. Additionally, University health and safety policy is still single occupancy usage of lifts and, if you are able to wear a face covering, we encourage you to use one when moving around the building.  

Find out more about keeping safe on the Student Essentials pages.  

 

Library tours  

Have you seen our Instagram tour yet? Library tours continue to be available online and there are several other options too. 

 

Opening hours back to 24/6+  

We’re back to our normal term time 24/6+ opening hours. This means the Library closes Saturday evening at 21:00 and reopens Sunday at 8:30, apart from that we’re open all hours. Please note that the Library Café closes at 22:00 on weekdays and IT Service desk hours can be found on the DTS website. 

 

Don’t forget to make the most of expert help!  

The Study Advice and Academic Liaison Librarian teams have been expanding the range of online materials available to help you make the most of the Library. Visit the Library website to see our new Training and events guide and links to our newest YouTube videos and other resources. 

 

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Bookmark the Library blog to stay up-to-date with any changes

 

Further information 

We’ll continue to provide updates on the Library services on our website, blog, and social media to keep you informed but if you have any questions, please get in touch via library@reading.ac.uk or see our contact information for other options.  

Your Library Team

UoR Library Welcome tours

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Full library tour to show the building and key location for Autumn term 2021 lasting 6.58mins on Instagram

Visit the Library via our Instagram tour

There’s been a lot happening this week across the University so if you want to slow things down, try out our self-paced tour. Go through, online at your own pace and in your own time.

Or, if you prefer something a bit more whizzy, take a look at our Instagram tour.

Expandable maps arranged as a welcoming smile.

Mini folding maps – your friendly Library guide

Alternatively, visit the Library in person, pick up an expandable map and take a look around the building yourself.

We like to think we have something for everyone so if you’re new to the University of Reading, or if you’re a returning student and haven’t been onsite for a while, come and see us for help with all your Library needs.

A table with Library, study advice and other University information displayed along with a table top stand displaying relevant information.

Learn what your Library offers, and how we can help you from the display in our foyer

Your Library Team

Self-service borrowing is back!

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We’re pleased to announce that we’re taking another step back to normal as the Click & Collect service is no longer required. This means you’ll be able to browse the shelves and borrow via the self-service machines whenever you want.

The Click & Collect service will cease from midnight Thursday 16 September so please make any requests before then. We’ll be open for a final collection between 11:00 and 14:00 on Friday 17 September and any uncollected materials will be transferred to the Holds shelves.

 

Student picking up a book from the shelf

Now Click & Collect is finishing, browse the shelves in person

 

If you’re a member of our Library and wish to borrow books simply visit us and select them from the shelves. We have floor plans available online and in the building to help you find materials and self-service machines so you can check items out securely.

If an item you want to borrow is already on loan, place a ‘hold’ to ensure that when a copy becomes available, it is held for you. You’ll get an email once the item is ready for you to collect from the Holds shelves. These are located on the Ground Floor, in the quiet study area which some of you will know we’ve been using for Click & Collect.

Inter-Library Loans will be collectable from the Welcome Desk. Just come through the gates and show your Campus Card to collect these from our team.

We understand that this is a significant change for those of you who were used to using Click & Collect, so please ask us if you need help or further information.

 

Your Library Team

Education students, welcome to UoR Library!

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Early September, children return to school and we welcome postgraduate students learning to teach them with our Institute of Education. Greetings!

Why not come to meet your Education Academic Liaison Librarians and Study Advisers at the ‘marketplace’ in RUSU’s Cafe Mondial, 10:00-12:30 on Friday 3 (secondary students) or 12:00-13:00 Wednesday 8 September (primary students). We’ll also be around all year to support your studies of course!

Check out our Education subject and referencing guide online to discover online and physical resources – much is online, linked to your reading lists, with printed theory and Teaching Practice Collection resources in the Library building.

You can see what the Library is like right now on YouTube. Do visit the Library on Whiteknights campus once you receive your Campus card. Please note that our opening hours extend in a few weeks time when full term begins. Watch our Library website for changes to accessing collections and our modern study spaces, or follow us on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)!

Your Academic Liaison Librarians for Education

 

Happy summer vacation!

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Today marks the end of the UG academic year and the start of the summer vacation opening hours for the Library. We will no longer be open at weekends, except for three Saturdays on 17 July, 14 August and 18 September.

From Monday 14 June, we will be open 08:30 – 17:00 Monday to Friday for study space, and 11:00 – 14:00 for Click and Collect (loans for continuing students are due Tuesday 28 September). Please remember to make your booking for study space before 16:00 each day and continue to follow the guidance in the Current Library Services LibGuide.

We’re still offering online events for continuing students – see our guide to Reference Management Workshops for further information and if you’re finishing your studies with the University, remember to visit the Library website to find out how you can continue to make the most of the resources as a Reading graduate.

Best wishes for a wonderful summer – we look forward to welcoming you back again soon!

Library User Services

Click & Collect during Summer vacation

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From Monday 14 June, Click & Collect will be open between 11:00 – 14:00, Monday to Friday. If you request a book and are emailed to pick it up, please make sure to come to the Library during these hours.

The Library building will be closed at weekends, except for three Saturdays on 17 July, 14 August and 18 September. For full details of the Library’s opening hours during the Summer vacation, please see our website: https://www.reading.ac.uk/library/using/hours/lib-hours.aspx.

Click & Collect is located on the Ground Floor of the Library. There is a separate entrance on the north side of the building, near the Co-op. Please bring your Campus Card when collecting books.

Library User Services

Click & Collect during Summer vacation

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From Monday 14 June, Click & Collect will be open between 11:00 – 14:00, Monday to Friday. If you request a book and are emailed to pick it up, please make sure to come to the Library during these hours.

The Library building will be closed at weekends, except for three Saturdays on 17 July, 14 August and 18 September. For full details of the Library’s opening hours during the Summer vacation, please see our website: https://www.reading.ac.uk/library/using/hours/lib-hours.aspx.

Click & Collect is located on the Ground Floor of the Library. There is a separate entrance on the north side of the building, near the Co-op. Please bring your Campus Card when collecting books.

Library User Services

Summer Term Library news

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Welcome back- or if you’ve been using the Library services through Lockdown 3.0, hello again!

 

Some of you may have noticed that throughout the lockdown period, we have been renewing your loans, where possible, to help alleviate any concerns regarding items becoming overdue. Now that we have reached the final term of the current academic year, we thought it might be helpful through exam season. Consequently, we have taken care of renewals again by extending all loans (with the usual exceptions) until Friday 11 June 2021.

 

Please continue to use the Click and Collect service to get access to the physical resources you require. Click and Collect is available Monday to Sunday 10:00 – 21:00 during the Summer Term.

Mini Maypole

Image courtesy of MERL: Museum of English Rural Life

 

More good news! The Library will be open on the next two Bank Holidays – Monday 3 May and Monday 31 May.

On Monday 3 May, opening hours will be 08:30 -19:00 for study space, and Click and Collect will be available between the hours of 10:00 – 19:00.

 

Please continue to keep in touch, and let us know how we can support in you in achieving some well-deserved successful outcomes.

Library User Services

Easter opening hours at your Library

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

Easter chicks

The Library building will be closed for the University Easter Closure from Thursday 1 April to Tuesday 6 April.

Between Monday 29 March and Wednesday 31 March the Library Building will be open from 08:30-19:00.

From Wednesday 7 April until Friday 16 April, the Library will be open 08:30 – 19:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:30-17:00 Friday to Sunday.

Remember that there will be no Closed Access or Store collections on Bank Holidays. The last Closed Access collection before Easter will be Wednesday 31st March.

Outside the University Easter closure, the PC Labs in the Palmer and Agriculture buildings are also open 24/7. They are accessible with your Campus Card and you do not need to book them.

Please see our opening hours web page for more information. Opening hours for the Summer Term are not yet confirmed – we will post them as soon as possible.

Christine Milne, Library User Services

Library open for study space and Click & Collect

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Open sign in rainbow colours

The Library is open – stay safe!

During the new national lockdown the Library is open every day for bookable study space and to collect print materials via our Click & Collect service.

The Library will be open for study space; Monday – Thursday, 08:30 – 19:00 and Friday – Sunday, 08:30 – 17:00

Click & Collect is open; Monday – Thursday, 10:00 – 19:00 and Friday – Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00.

For more information about how the library is operating during the pandemic, please look at our Current Library Services guide

 

Natalie Guest, Document Delivery Co-ordinator / Academic Liaison Librarian