Coronavirus - COVID-19 Library Service: Working in the Library

We’ve had to make some changes to make your stay as safe and comfortable as possible, so please take some time to read the following.

Finding your space
You can now only enter the library if you have booked a space. You can book up to four hours or up to eight hours on Floor 1 or in a space with a Mac computer. For space bookings you will have been allocated a specific desk number at time of booking. Please ensure you sit in the correct space. If you have any trouble finding your seat, please ask a member of staff. Please check the table below to make sure you make the right booking for you.

Please ensure you have a valid ID card when attending the library.

Lifts and staircases
The main staircase is designated as the staircase to move up the building. To move down the building please use the staircase by the staff lift.

The customer lift is not in use. If you can’t use the stairs your card should have been activated for the staff lift. Please only enter 1 person at a time. If you need lift access but your card does not work for the staff lift, please alert a staff member straight away who will assist you.

Cleaning

Additional cleaning has been organised by our superb cleaning colleagues.  They’ll be focussing on making sure touchpoints in the building are regularly cleaned throughout the day.  You will need to make use of the ‘Wipestations’ and sanitisation points on each floor to take personal responsibility for cleaning your booked space before and after you use it.

Please ensure you leave promptly at the end of your booking and ensure that the space is clean and tidy for the next user.

Social distancing and group work
The library is for silent individual study only now to help maintain social distancing. We do allow interaction with online lectures on the Ground floor and in former group rooms but only on an individual basis. We are sorry but current government guidelines prohibits group work in univesity libraries. So group spaces such as sofas and group rooms have been re-designated as single study spaces only or closed for safety reasons.

Please make sure you observe social distancing rules at 2m wherever possible and follow any guidance in the communal areas of the Library such as toilets.

Face Coverings
In line with the rest of the university, plesae wear a face covering when moving around the building.

Washing hands
This is really important. Please make sure you wash your hands regularly. Wipe stations are also available on each floor and sanitiser at the entrances.

Browsing and borrowing books
You are welcome to use the book stock but please place any books you have touched, either through browsing or used at your desk, on the trollies around the shelving.

If you want to borrow or return books you can do this using the self-service issue machines on Floors 1 and 2 and the Ground floor (returns on the ground floor only). These will be wiped down at regular intervals during the day.

Laptop loans
Laptops are available for loan if you have booked a seat without a computer. If you borrow a laptop for use in the library, please also you ensure that you wipe it down at the start and the end of your loan. Loans are for a maximum of 4 hours and please make sure you plug the laptop back into the locker, otherwise you might receive a fine as it will not register the return. 

Eating and drinking
You are more than welcome to eat cold snacks and hot and cold drinks. Please make sure you bin all your rubbish and clean down your space. Please do not bring hot food into the library. If you do you will be asked to leave, and your booking will be ended.

Printers
Print/copy/scan stations are available on the floors. These will be cleaned through the day, but you may wish to wipe down on use. To maintain distancing not all of them will be in use.

Toilets
Toilets are open but please observe the reduced occupancy notices.

Ventilation
In order to maintain a healthy airflow, the library may be colder or warmer than usual. We’re sorry but we can’t change this for health and safety reasons, so do bring layers of clothing that you can take on and off to suit.

Questions and queries
If you need any help please ask staff on the floors, at the Welcome desk or use our live chat service via Locate and we will happily help.

1-1 Library help
You can still book a 1-1 appointment with your Academic Liaison Librarian; they are all working virtually and can help you with searching for information in your subject area. Visit Libguides to make an appointment or to book one of our workshops.

Maths Support
The maths support centre is online and you use the virtual drop-in as well as online appointments with the maths and stats support tutors, they are all working virtually. Visit the sigma website  to use the vitual drop-in or to make a booking for both individual appointments and maths and stats workshops.

Writing Support
The Centre for Academic Writing is closed but you can still book a 1-1 appointment with the writing tutors, they are all working virtually. Visit the website for CAW for more information on how to make a booking for both individual appointments and writing workshops.

IT Support
The IT helpdesk is closed to face to face appointments but offers phone and online suport.