Category Archives: Study Advice

Kickstart your Masters dissertation

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Advert for the Masters Dissertation fair 2025 listing the range of events that will be included: webinars, workshops, writing retreats and drop ins. Event runs Mon 3 March to Fri 7 March

Feeling a bit stuck with researching and writing your Masters dissertation or project?  Why not book to come along to one of our Kickstart your Masters dissertation sessions, run by our Academic Liaison and Study Advice teams?

Choose from a selection of webinars, workshops, retreats and drop-ins running Monday 3 March to Friday 7 March, offering advice around dissertation planning, researching, writing and digital skills.

For more information on each session and to book, take a look at our Kickstart your Masters dissertation guide

We will be offering advice on all aspects of your dissertation researching, planning and writing. From managing your project and writing your literature review, to researching our databases, making the most of Microsoft Word and using reference management software, these friendly sessions are designed for you to get some tips from the experts and get your dissertation off to a positive start.

More help available

You can also book an appointment with a Study Adviser, who can offer advice to enable you to manage your project, write critically and ensure academic integrity.

Or book to meet your Academic Liaison Librarian who can support you with researching and accessing the material you need, and how to reference it correctly.

For those who prefer self-paced online resources, we have a suite of videos and guides on dissertations, major projects and literature reviews.

Remember, you can always discover key resources in your subject area in the liaison team’s guides and use our guide for Taught Postgraduates.

Academic Liaison Librarians and Study Advisers

Winter vacation? Snow problem!

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A fluffed up robin in the snow

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: 

  • …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 

Brow wrapped parcel with sprig of holly on white background.

Using the Library over summer vacation

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With the end of term and the beginning of summer vacation, there are a few changes taking place in the Library.  

Library building on a clear sunny day with hedge in the foreground.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