Covid-19 adjustments to Library services

The Library is open but in line with the need to maintain social distancing and operate in a COVID-19 Secure fashion some services have been suspended or will be operating with some restrictions. Anyone entering the Library may have their details passed to the NHS Test & Trace service if requested.

Please note that the information provided here may be changed at short notice. Any changes will also be notified through our News page.

From Monday 29th March, staff and students wishing to access the library no longer need to show a text/notification of a negative Covid test result (either lateral flow or PCR) received within the last five days. However, we reserve the right to resume this where necessary (including spot checks) and you are strongly encouraged to continue to get tested regularly. If you have any questions please look at our negative testing FAQs. Testing for those without symptoms is available at the Spinnaker Sports Centre.

If you have any Covid symptoms you must isolate immediately and arrange a test through NHS Test and Trace, you must not come on to campus or use any university facilities until you have taken a Covid test and received a negative result.

You need to book a time slot to come into the Library. You should only visit the Library if it is essential for you to do so.

Access will be restricted to current members of the University of Portsmouth and its recognised partner institutions who are in possession of a valid access card. This means visitors and external library members will not be able to access the building.

Please ensure you bring a face covering when using the library, either a face mask or a visor if you are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons. Face coverings must be worn at all times when in the building, including when sat at a desk. Unless you are medically exempt from wearing either a mask or a visor you will be asked to leave if a face covering isn’t worn. The library will have a small supply of face masks and visors for library users who arrive without their own

We are piloting a temperature monitoring system at the Library entrance.

There is a one way system in place in the building and a number of hand sanitisation stations.

Opening hours will be 08:00 to Midnight 7 days a week during term time. Opening hours will be shorter during Vacation see here https://library.port.ac.uk/open/

Book returns to be brought to the Library.
- Returned books will be quarantined for 72 hours, and will remain 'on loan' for this time. Consequently, loan allowances have temporarily been raised to 30 items for students to allow for further items to be borrowed.

If a book is removed from the shelves and not borrowed then this will be handled as a returned item and quarantined for 72 hours.

Services that will be available within the Library building

Reception Desk
Returning loans
Borrowing loans
Click and Collect service for books
Temporary pass kiosk
Posting books or scanning chapters for distance learners, students with additional support needs, students who are self-isolating.
Scan and Deliver service for students not returning to campus.
Laptop loans
Interlibrary loans
IT support desk
Study spaces (but not Group study rooms)
Browsing book stock (note - any book removed from the shelves will be placed in quarantine if not borrowed
Bloomberg Terminals
Printing and photocopying
Library café

Services offered remotely

24/7 online chat
Support from the Faculty Librarians for students and staff
Support from the Research Outputs team
Support from the Map Librarian (including copyright support)

Services that will NOT be available

Group study rooms
Postgraduate suite
Shared booths will be either closed or for single person occupancy
Library help desk
Access to print newspapers or display journals (but you might like to try our new PressReader subscription as a partial substitute)
Student/staff card printing (but the University is providing a home delivery service for replacements for lost or damaged cards and new staff can request a card via the IS ServiceDesk)
Eikon terminals (but there is an alternate access method)
The SCONUL Access scheme is currently suspended
Reservation of books out on loan

The University's coronovirus information page