Library's response to the coronavirus

Library, Archives and Learning Services takes the health and well being of our staff and students in the University community seriously.  We have been supporting remote learning and teaching since the libraries closed in March and will continue to do so.  We are now working towards opening with a limited service in late July.  We will continue to update the FAQs below during this unprecedented time.

Are the libraries open?

Whilst much of the University remains closed, we are now able to offer limited library services to all UEL staff and students.

From Monday 27th July Docklands Library will be operating limited services from 9am-9pm, Monday – Friday. 

Due to parts of the University remaining closed we are not able to open Stratford Library at present.  We will update these pages as and when this changes.

Returning books

From Monday 27th July you will be able to return items via the Book Return Box in the lobby of the Docklands Library building during building opening hours (9am – 9pm, Mon-Fri).

Please note: due to the need to quarantine returned items these items will remain on your account for up to 7 days after they are returned. No overdue charges will be incurred during this period.

If you are concerned about titles remaining on your account after 7 days please contact us.

Borrowing books - Click and Collect

From Monday 27th July items available at Docklands Library will be available for Click and Collect. It will not be possible to visit the library to browse the shelves for books, items will have to be requested via Library Search. The requesting facility will open on Thursday 23rd July. To request an item: · sign in to Library Search https://uel.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=44UEL_INST:UEL_VU1&lang=en find the titles you want and click Request, you can make a maximum of 5 requests

Due to the rest of the University being closed we are unable to offer Click and Collect for Stratford Library. We will update this page as and when this changes.

We will email you when your requested items are ready to collect. Do not travel to the Library to collect items if you have not received this email.

You will have seven days from the date of the email to collect your items, after that, the request will be cancelled.

You will be able to collect your items throughout the building opening hours (9 am-9 pm).

You will not be able to stay in the Library after collecting your books.

We are unable to post items – only in person collection is available.

Items will be shelved and ready for collection on the first floor of Docklands Library, items will be shelved by your University ID number.

You will need to issue the items using the self-service machines before leaving the Library.

Anything borrowed between now and early September will be issued until 30th September.

Due dates

The due dates of all items for continuing students is being extended to 30th September. If you have finished your studies we are not able to extend the due dates of your items. Please make arrangements to return them as soon as possible. You will not incur any overdue charges on these items at this time.

Study Spaces

We are unable to offer any study spaces or access to IT facilities.

We will update these pages as and when this changes.

Enquiries

We are not able to offer face-to-face enquiry services. However, you can still get in touch with us by emailing library@uel.ac.uk  or our online chat service https://uelac.sharepoint.com/sites/libraryandlearningservices

Online support hours

Monday – Friday: 9am-5pm

Monday 31st August: Closed

Keeping our students, staff, and spaces safe

You will be unable to access any other buildings on campus.

Whilst on campus and in our buildings please remember to maintain social distancing at all times.

Hand sanitiser will be provided for you to clean your hands before and after using shared surfaces such as the self-service machines.

Access is only permitted to the first floor of the Library for click and collect, there are no study spaces or IT facilities available.

Toilet facilities are available on Level 1 of Docklands Library.

There will be no water fountain for refilling bottles, please bring your own water for your journey home.

There will be a one way system in operation, please follow signage to ensure the safe flow of people through the building.

If you are coming to the Library to return or collect items please do not travel if you or anyone in your family is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

Inter-library Loans

Requests

We continue to fulfil inter-library loan requests in a digital format where possible. All other requests will be put on hold, and electronic alternatives offered where possible. We will update these pages as and when we are able to

Inter-library loan books

If you have an inter-library loan book, please keep it with you until the Library desk reopens with a staffed service. Where possible, your inter-library loan books will be renewed; if this is not possible you will not incur any overdue charges.

Online library resources

We have a wide range of online books and journals available through Library Search.

Subject support

We are offering online 1:1 appointments with our Academic Services Librarians. To book these, email your Librarian with an overview of what you want to cover and they will get back to you to arrange a suitable time.

https://uelac.sharepoint.com/LibraryandLearningServices/Pages/Subject-pages.aspx

Using other Libraries

The SCONUL Access scheme is suspended until further notices.