Opening hours back to 24/6+  

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Welcome back to all of our new and continuing students! It’s a fresh new academic year, and we are returning to our regularly-scheduled 24/6+ opening hours.

Monday 26 September – Friday 9 December       
Mon – Fri* 24 hours
Sat Open until 21:00
Sun Open from 08:30
*Friday 9 December: Library open until midnight.

 

The Library Café generally closes at 18:00 Monday – Thursday and at 16:00 Friday – Sunday; for the most up-to-date opening hours, please see their webpage. IT Service Desk hours can be found on the DTS website. 

Welcome Week Library events 2022

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Image shows a sign that says Welcome, please come in.We’d like to wish you a great big welcome from all the staff at the University of Reading Library!

Wondering about how to use the Library and what’s available?  We have a variety of events planned for you all week.

Here’s a rundown of what’s going on:

New student Libguide

An online guide telling you about the library including useful videos, answers to questions, where to get help and all our welcome week events.

Introducing your library

We are running tours on Tuesday and Thursday, every 30 minutes from 10:00 – 15:30. No need to book, just meet in the Library foyer.

Self-paced tours

We know there’s a lot going on right now!  So if you want to just take things slowly, at a time that suits you, we’ve created a self-paced tour for you to go through online.  Or you can pick up one of our handy expandable maps in the Library, to take a look around the building yourself. Or check out our Instagram tour.

Library talk

Come along to find out how the Library can support your studies.  Just come along to the Palmer building room 102 at 15:00 – 16:00 on Wednesday.

Special Collections

Find out about the University’s Special Collections and make a badge. In the Library foyer 11:00 – 14:00 on Wednesday.

Escape Game

On Friday between 10:00 – 14:00 we will be running a library themed escape game. Come along in a team, or drop by and we will put you into a team. Meet in the Library foyer.

If you join in with anything, don’t forget to let us know on social media!  You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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

Problems with accessing e-resources- resolved

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We have received an update from the company who manages our authentication system and they have confirmed that the issues we were having this morning have now been resolved.

You should now be able to get access to the resources you need as usual.

If you encounter any further problems, please contact the E-resources Team at eresourceshelp@reading.ac.uk or submit a Problem Report Form.

Thank you for your patience while this issue was resolved.

Lindsay Warwick, E-resources Team

Library closed Bank Holiday Monday

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Image of University Library from a distance

The Library will be closed Monday 29 August for the August Bank Holiday. Please see our opening hours for information.

Although the building may not be open, registered staff, students and Associate members can still access our wealth of e-resources 24/7.  

If you’re looking for a PC, don’t worry! PC labs are still available on campus for registered students.  

Please note that collections from Closed Access will not be available at this time, but they will resume Wednesday 31 August. 

 

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 

Library open Saturday 13 August

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An image of the outside of the Library building

The second of our summer Saturdays takes place on Saturday 13 August. The Library will be open 8:30 – 17:00 so why not stop by for a visit?

 

Browse our vast range of print materials, find out about our e-resources or discover your new favourite study space. Library members can borrow via the Self-Service Points and our friendly staff will be available to answer your questions.

 

We won’t be able to deal with 1-to-1 subject enquiries but information and guidance is available via our Study Advice and our Subject resources and guidance webpages.

 

Student using a laptop in the Library

Come and make the most of our print resources or maybe find your perfect study spot

 

Please be aware that the IT Service Desk and the Library Café will not be open.

We look forward to seeing you.

 

Your Library Team

 

 

Clearing 2022 

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From Monday 8 August until Friday 26 August, the 1st Floor of the Library and the Ground Floor PC lab G12, will be closed for setting up and housing Clearing 2022.  

As in previous years, Clearing staff will be joining us in the Library to take calls and help prospective students from A Level results day (Thursday 18 August) through until Monday 22 August.  

Study areas, including spaces with PCs, remains available on all other floors of the Library but please ask us if you need help finding a suitable space. There are also a variety of alternative study spaces for University staff and students across campus, including The Study (RUSU), 24-hour PC labs in Agriculture GL20, Meteorology GL68 and Palmer G.09. 

The IT Helpdesk will remain available for the period of Clearing, but whilst the 1st Floor is closed to study, support will be via telephone, email or the IT Self Service Portal. 

Your Library Team

Beryl’s back in action!

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If you are visiting the Library for access to study space, please be aware that deep cleaning works are underway.  

Member of staff filling carpet cleaning machine with water to wash carpets as part of the annual summer big clean

It’s thirsty work for Beryl…

Our wonderful Library Support Services Team are making everything lovely and clean in preparation for the Autumn term, which means that some areas may be temporarily closed whilst the clean progresses through the building.   

For those who aren’t aware, the annual Library deep clean is an intensive process where all the usual places are thoroughly cleansed and additionally, we reach into the areas which aren’t covered by the day-to-day clean. A substantial volume of chewing gum- glued to the undersides of seats and tables- is relocated to the bins; hair and lint is excavated from trolley wheels and carpets are painstakingly washed, using our powerful carpet cleaner, who we’ve named Beryl.  

Most of the floors have now been thoroughly cleaned and are looking significantly improved, little wonder! Just look at what’s been coming out of the carpet!!!  

Changing the water. Carpet washing means frequent water changes

Mucky business – but worth it!

So, if you do see (or hear!) Beryl though the summer vacation, please accept our apologies if it feels disruptive and ask us for help with finding an alternative study area whilst cleaning is underway.

Your Library Team

Library open Saturday 16 July

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Image of person with rucksack walking through library aisle

We’ve got a wide range of resources. Why not come have a look? Image by Redd from Unsplash

 

During summer vacation, the Library is open on 3 Saturdays 8:30 – 17:00. This Saturday, 16 July, will be the first of these, so why not come for a visit? 

Examine our vast range of print materials, find out a bit about the e-resources that we provide access to,  and explore the array of study spaces available to find your perfect spot. If you have a Library membership, you can still borrow via the Self-Service Points, and our friendly staff will be available to answer your questions. 

We won’t be able to deal with 1-to-1 subject enquiries but information and guidance remains available via our Study Advice and our Subject resources and guidance webpages.  

Please be aware that the IT help desk and the Library Café will not be open during this time. 

We look forward to seeing you. 

 

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