Hi everyone!
My name is Sara and I have been studying at the University of Leeds for two whole years! Regardless of whether you are a current student coming back for the new academic year at Leeds, a new student, or a prospective student, you will probably be interested in the library services here at the University of Leeds. This blog aims to tell you a little bit about the libraries we have and how to borrow books (it is quite different from usual!).

What libraries are there in the university?

The University of Leeds has an impressive selection of books, journals, and special collections. Our impressive number of collections can be accessed primarily through the four main libraries: the Brotherton Library; the Edward Boyle Library; the Laidlaw Library; and the Health Sciences Library. Since the corona-virus outbreak, all of our libraries have been sadly closed. Throughout this spring and summer, students were able to access materials online, and the library staff have been extremely helpful in answering emails regarding access to some of the physical materials. We were also assured that any books that we borrowed from the library before the lock-down measures started will not be requested to be returned. This was a great relief for me as I had more than 20 library books in my house!

 

Good news! The library is starting its phased re-opening and now students have access to physical materials from the library. This is exciting news for many of us students who missed access to physical books as despite the best efforts of the library staff, not everything was available online.

 

What is the phased re-opening?

The university libraries decided that the best way to ensure the safety of student and staff while providing the best services would be to open the library services in stages.

 

• Phase 1: some staff returned to campus and testing our plans
• Phase 2: Library open for “click and collect” service
• Phase 3: Access to bookable study spaces

 

We are now in Phase 3. On 18 August, I used the “click and collect” service. I am sure a lot of students are wondering how to use this service. No worries! I have an easy step-by-step guide here with pictures. You can also watch this handy YouTube video made by the library: https://youtu.be/qG7H9b8IIMg

 

Click and Collect Guide

Step 1

First, request all physical books that you want online through the library website.

Select the book. Make sure you are signed in!

Click the green “Request” button under “Location”. If this does not appear, then sadly you cannot click and collect that book.

You can pick a date under “Not needed after”. Click “SEND REQUEST”.

If you are successful, you will see “Your request was successfully placed”.

You can check your requests on the top right-hand corner under your name and in “My Requests”. Click here to cancel any requests you made.

 

The library will send you an email to your university email account to tell you when you can collect your books. This may take a couple of working days. Not all books you requested will be available to collect on the same day, so please check your email and keep track of which books are and are not available to collect.

Step 2

After you received email from the library saying you can collect your books, now it is time to go to the Edward Boyle Library!

I commute to Leeds using the train, so here are some pictures of the renewed train station and extra measures set up to ensure safety. As you can see, the train station has a one-way system. Everyone was wearing a mask on the train and keeping safe distance from each other.

 

 

You can collect your books between 12pm-4pm (Monday-Saturday). You do not need to have your student ID card with you. Wear your face mask and follow the sign inside the library as it is a one-way system. There will be a library staff member inside the library who will assist and direct you.

 

 

Your books will be shelved in alphabetical order. I went under “K” as my surname is Kaizuka, and I quickly found a couple of brown bags with a piece of paper with my full name on them.

Once you take the bag, you just walk out! It is that easy!

Here is me with my handmade face mask on and looking happy with several books in hand!

 

 

Lastly, as mentioned above, the library service is starting its Phase 3 (studying inside the library). At first, this service will be open 12pm-4pm (Monday-Saturday). You will have to book to have access. The library is asking students to only book two sessions per week. For this, you will need your student ID card. For more information on how to do this please check here: https://library.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/1000/library/113/phased-reopening-of-library-buildings.

 

Whether its your first time at Leeds or you are a returning student, it is not easy to keep track of all these new measures. For prospective students, some of the advice listed here may change by the time you arrive at Leeds, so please keep an eye out for new information. I hope this guide was helpful and useful for you! All of the information is based on the library website, so you can check here for the latest information: https://library.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/1000/library/113/phased-reopening-of-library-buildings.

 

Stay safe and thank you for reading!