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Our services: Libraries and site information: Bill Bryson Library

An overview of our libraries

The Bill Bryson Library is our main University Library, and you will find a fantastic range of resources to support your studies. Library staff are always on hand to help you find your way around and answer your enquiries, and our Virtual Enquiry Desk is available to you during your time in the Library or when working offsite.

Opening Times and Contact Details

Opening times:

  • 24/7 opening from Monday 25 April until Friday 10 June*

* Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday exception: the Library will close at 6pm on Thursday 2 June and re-open at 9am on Saturday 4 June. 

Staffed services available:

  • Monday-Friday between 8am-10pm
  • Saturday-Sunday between 9am-10pm

From Saturday 11 June:

  • Monday-Friday between 8am-10pm 
  • Saturday-Sunday between 9am-10pm

Durham University Library  
Stockton Road  
DURHAM  
DH1 3LY  
United Kingdom  

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 3042
Fax: +44 (0)191 334 2971  

main.library@durham.ac.uk 

Using the Bill Bryson Library

Contact us through our enhanced virtual enquiry desk, Ask DULib. Search our FAQs, email us, or chat with a librarian. 
Ask DULib is available to all students, staff and users.

Ask DULib, Library Help

Keep up to date

Keep up to date by following our library social media accounts: 

           

 

University members and visitors are strongly recommended to wear face coverings in University buildings, including the Library, and when in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet.

During your visit, please follow the safety measures we have in place and be considerate of other users. For any queries regarding our spaces, please contact our Virtual Enquiry Desk, Ask DULib.

Please follow our current safety measures during your time in the building.

The Bill Bryson Library is on the Lower Mountjoy site on Stockton Road, across the road from Whitechurch and next door to the Palatine Centre.  Use the postcode DH1 3LY if using a SatNav or GPS.  
To access the Bill Bryson Library, scan your Campus Card barcode on the access gates.  
There is no visitor car parking, except for disabled parking bays near the entrance. There are bike sheds available.  
Access is on level ground via a power-assisted door. There are disabled parking bays near the main entrance, adjacent to the Geography building.
For more information on parking, please call 0191 334 6002 or email car.parking@durham.ac.uk prior to your visit. There is a card-operated accessible gate. There are two lifts available within the building.  

Please see our Accessibility and Support Guide for further information.

From Monday 24 January 2022, you won’t need to book a timeslot to browse the shelves or for individual study spaces for any of our sites.

We have a mixture of bookable and non-bookable individual study spaces available at Bill Bryson Library - please see our Study Spaces Guide for full details.

Small Island Coffee is located on Level 2 of Bill Bryson Library and offers a range of sandwiches, salads, drinks and snacks. Please see Small Island Coffee webpages for current opening times.

Please remember to clean as you go during your time in the building and place all rubbish in the bins provided. 

Visit our website for details of IT and equipment available within the Library.

Currently, we are operating at restricted capacities and are only able to welcome academic visitors through the SCONUL Access scheme.

Please visit our webpages for updates.

Bill Bryson Library study space locations

Bill Bryson Library study space location plans

Please review our study space location plans to help you to:

  • see which study zones are bookable or non-bookable 
  • help you to find your allocated seat before you visit, if you've pre-booked a space

Available study spaces at Bill Bryson Library

How busy is Bill Bryson Library right now?

Find out how many free study spaces there currently are at the Bill Bryson Library by clicking the link above.

A view of Bill Bryson Library through trees

Study Break cards

Want to take a break? Use a Study Break card! 

Make use of our Study Break cards during your time at Bill Bryson Library - find out more on our Study Spaces guide.

Study break card