Use of libraries and study spaces: TB1 service offer

Library Services are committed to providing access to our physical collections and spaces for students to work, however to comply with UK Government Covid-19 restrictions the service offer this academic year may fluctuate depending on current circumstances. Services and opening hours may also be affected by staffing levels.

How will things be different from other years?

To provide a safe working environment for the University community, libraries and study centres have reduced seating capacity and changed layouts for the start of term. A seat booking system has also been introduced. Some aspects of how you can borrow books and get help are different too.

When you enter a library or study centre NHS Track and Trace QR codes are displayed so that you can use the ’venue check-in’ function of the app using your phone.

Masks must be worn at all times both when moving around libraries and study spaces and when seated at a desk. More information can be found here.

What you will see

If you are a returning student spaces will look different: seats have been removed or taken out of use and chairs placed at the required distance of two metres apart. We ask that you do not move seats as the setup has been designed to comply with safe working practices. We ask you to support social distancing by following the routes laid out for you to move around spaces and to wear face coverings in accordance with University policy.

Library staff will be on hand to help at our larger sites with roving staff calling in to check on other spaces across the day.

You can ask questions about library resources or procedures at any time using our ‘Ask the Library’ live chat enquiry service via the library web pages. Alternatively, you can email us at library-enquiries@bristol.ac.uk

Studying in a library or study centre

From the start of term students will only be able to sit at a study seat in a library or study centre if they have booked in advance using the online booking system.

To ensure that the available space is shared fairly a maximum number of weekly bookings will be set. This will initially be four hours per week but may vary across the academic year depending on demand to ensure that spaces are fully utilised.

Some study seats with PCs will be available.

You will need to check in at the individual desk to claim your booking and check out at the end.

Cleaning materials are available so that you can clean your workspace before and after you have used it.

Group study rooms will not be available as these spaces cannot be set up to support the required social distancing.

Printing and copying facilities will be available.

Loan laptops will be available from the Arts and Social Sciences and Medical Libraries from the self-service lockers.

Borrowing books

In most of our libraries you will be able to browse and select books from the shelves to borrow but will not be able to remain in the library unless you have a booked study seat. At busy times you may be asked to queue to come into a library so that the number of people that can be safely accommodated in the space is maintained. Books that you handle but do not borrow will need to be placed on one of the designated trolleys so that they can be quarantined for 72 hours.

At the Physics, Queen’s Building and Wills Libraries the books are too close to the seating areas to allow access to the shelves. At these libraries books may be reserved via Library Search. You will receive an email when they are ready to collect from the library.

In our other libraries you may go in and select books yourself from the shelves to borrow but will not be able to remain in the library unless you have a booked study seat. At busy times you may be asked to queue to come into a library so that the number of people that can be safely accommodated in the space is maintained. Books that you handle will need to be placed on one of the designated trolleys so that they can be quarantined for 72 hours.

Returning books

All books that are returned from loan must be quarantined for 72 hours in line with Public Health England guidelines.This means there will be a delay before returned books are removed from your account as they cannot be handled until the quarantine period has passed. If something you have on loan has passed the due date for return when you bring it back, you may receive a notification that it is overdue because of the delay in processing.

Remember to check the library catalogue as many books are available as Ebooks that can be accessed online to use anywhere you are studying.

Accessibility and Support

Our dedicated Library Support team can discuss individual requirements and answer any questions you have about accessing the library and using our services.

We have an online form so that you can register for some of our services quickly and easily and we are also offering online appointments via Skype or telephone so that you can discuss your individual requirements where required.

Online appointments can be made from our Library Support pages. As well as the place to find our contact details and to book appointments, these pages contain further information regarding how our services work.

We are happy to discuss and arrange on-campus meetings where online is not possible and will continue to be active and contactable via the ‘Ask the Library’ live chat service.

We can help with accessing books from our collection via our item retrieval service, extended loans and can support users with print disabilities to access alternative formats. We can also point you in the right direction if you are looking for technology to support your learning such as mind mapping and read aloud tools.

If you require accessible study space we can work with you to find suitable spaces via our online booking system. You can see further information about access to our libraries via AccessAble.

Please contact Library Support if you need to arrange a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) or a library orientation tour.

If you have not been referred to our service via Disability Services we may ask to see some supporting evidence.

Subject Support

The Academic Engagement team will be offering online support for subject-specific enquiries to all students and staff. We can help with finding, accessing, and evaluating information; making the most of the Library’s physical and online resources; referencing and writing; and with purchasing resources.

Online appointments can be made from our Subject Support pages. As well as the place to find our contact details and to book appointments, these pages contain a wealth of useful information and are designed to help students and staff find a wide variety of subject-specific resources and support.

We are happy to discuss and arrange on-campus meetings where online is not possible and will continue to be active and contactable via the ‘Ask the Library’ live chat service.

As well as 1:1 appointments and email enquiries, we will be running bookable online workshops on information literacy topics and useful academic software. These will be advertised via our Subject Support pages and the Library events page.

Study Skills 

The Study Skills service will continue to provide you with academic development opportunities and support. This will mostly be delivered remotely, including online tutorials, interactive learning resources, online study lounges, workshops and drop-in advice sessions hosted by Bristol Futures advocates. 

Face to face tutorials may be available exceptionally for people who cannot access or use online support easily. All our provision, the resources and all booking and information is available on our Blackboard page. Please note that face to face tutorials may be suspended if UK Government advice changes.