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Frequently asked questions

General Library FAQs

Our core opening hours are:

  • 8.30am - 9.00pm Monday - Thursday
  • 8.30am - 6.00pm Friday
  • 1.00pm - 8.45pm Saturday and Sunday

These are subject to change throughout the year, so please check our full opening hours. The Library Helpdesk, along with our telephone and email support are available on weekdays only.

The Library is located in the Andrew Kean Learning Centre. You will find our Library Helpdesk to the left of the entrance.

We have print books housed on 3 floors, alongside plenty of study spaces and computers. In addition to that, we have lots of online resources. So come along and visit us in person.

Library Search is on the homepage of the Library website. It is our one-stop search tool for print books, ebooks, articles, journals, videos and more. You can search our whole print collection and many of our online resources, including most of our subject databases.

The Library website can be accessed from any computer or mobile device. If you wish to reserve, check My Library Account, or access online resources you will need to log in with your University username and password. If you are in the Library, you can also use our dedicated Library Search terminals to search our print collections. These are located on the ground floor of the Library.

For more FAQs on searching the Library or finding information, please see our Library Search FAQs.

We use a standard number system (Dewey Decimal) to arrange our books in order in our Main Collection. The numbers range from 000 - 999 and organise the books by subject. The shelfmark is found on the bottom of the book's spine. Following the shelfmark is a three letter suffix; this is usually the first three letters of the author's surname. Floor guides and shelf-end signs in the Library will help you locate the number of the book(s) you are looking for.

For more FAQs on finding books in the Library, please see our Resources in the Library FAQs.

  • Undergraduates, apprentices and postgraduates can borrow up to 20 items
  • Staff and research students can borrow up to 30 items

All items on loan will be automatically renewed every two weeks, for a maximum period of 9 months. However, if an item is reserved by someone else you must bring it back by the due date shown on the email you will be sent. Failure to return overdue items may affect your right to continue borrowing.

You can log in to My Library Account to check the due dates. If you have difficulties with this you can telephone the Library Helpdesk, 0113 2837244, or email Library Enquiries.

 

If you are not a current member of staff or student, see if you can use the Library.

You can borrow books using any of our dedicated self-service machines. They are located on the ground floor, near the stairs. You will need your University ID card to do this, as this will need to be scanned first. If you are not sure how to use the machines, you can ask a member of staff to show you. You can also use the machines to return items, and to check your Library account.

Alternatively, you can go to the Library Helpdesk where we can issue the books to your account.

Books that are on loan to another user can be reserved. You can reserve up to 10 items at a time.

On Library Search, select Sign in (top right) and enter your University username and password if prompted, then select Request. Once the item is returned and ready for you to collect, an email will be sent to your University email address.

For more information on borrowing, reserving or renewing items please see our Borrowing guide.

The Library has a variety of study spaces to cater for all your needs. We have open study areas and bookable individual study carrels on each of the three floors.

  • For those wanting extra quiet, there is a dedicated silent study room located on the first floor.
  • We have 16 group study rooms, which need to be booked in advance.
  • Computers are provided in the study carrels, silent study room and many of the open study spaces.

If you have any specific requirements, please speak to a member of Library staff who will try to find the best solution for you. Alternatively you can email us with any queries or concerns. Our calming Tranquility Space (no booking required) is also available on the first floor to help our neurodiverse users - and others who need to take a moment.

You can book a study space using Connect2, our online booking system. You will need to login with your University username and password and use the arrow on the right-hand side to tab twice until you get to the screen "Book AKLC Library". Our group study rooms are primarily intended for student use.

We provide access to a huge range of online databases, and most of their content is available using our dedicated Library Search

You can also view an A-Z list of all databases. If you would like more guidance on which databases are relevant to your course, have a look at your subject page

For more FAQs on using databases, please see our Databases FAQs.

All courses have dedicated Liaison Librarians who can help you find the right resources. Find out who your Liaison Librarian is and how they can help you.

We have guides to both Harvard and APA referencing on our Library webpages along with our "Be Brilliant at Referencing" tutorial.

Book an appointment with your Liaison Librarian for additional support.

We have an online request form that you can complete with details of the items you need.

We can either order the item for stock or request it from another library via Interlibrary Loan. Fill in the request form with as many details as possible, such as author, title and source type.

Our Report a problem page has information on how to resolve common problems and how to report on online access problem to us.

The Library offers a number of services to help, including longer loans and access to specialist equipment. Various items of assistive equipment are available for loan via the Library Helpdesk, from back-supports to dyslexia-friendly coloured overlays. Please bring your University ID card to the Library Helpdesk in order to borrow. Items are loaned for the day and should be returned before closing or later by arrangement with Library Helpdesk.

Our accessibility pages have a full list of equipment. Many of our online resources will have additional accessibility features to enable read aloud functions and visual enhancements.

There are printers on every floor of the Andrew Kean Learning Centre. You need to scan your University ID card to use, and make sure you log out of the machine when you've finished. You can also use these devices to photocopy and scan. You can add credit to your printing account at the Library Helpdesk. COMING SOON - online payments using epayments.

The printing costs are available on the IT facilities guide, where you can also find more info about computers, wifi and IT support

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You can have both hot and cold drinks in all open areas of the Andrew Kean Learning Centre. This includes our study rooms and study carrels. Hot food can be consumed only in the Library cafe area and foyer. Please only consume cold food in all other areas of the Library.

We have water fountains on each floor and vending machines on the ground floor near the 24-Hour IT Room.

See our Eating & Drinking Policy for more information.

The Library is a quiet space for everyone to work in. We provide social areas and Group Study Rooms for those who need to talk, but noise levels do have to be kept low in all areas of the Library to enable everyone to work there.

Anyone making excessive noise in the Library may be asked to leave, as outlined in our Acceptable Use Policy.

If you wish to make noise, please use more appropriate spaces provided elsewhere on campus.