We already have a number of services and initiatives in place which will help you with the current cost of living situation.
Before you buy every item on your reading list, take a look at the eBooks we have available in our collections and borrow them instead! If you don't know where to start with eBooks or haven't accessed them before, take a look at our helpful video on Finding an eBook using Discover.
We have so many books and resources available to you in our libraries, but it’s not just about your studies! We also have a variety of fiction books for leisure reading, and lifestyle books including cooking, budgeting, wellbeing and craft activities - all available for you to borrow.
Looking for a title we don't already have in the Library or as an eBook? Through our More Books initiative, all University students and staff can request an item to be purchased and made available to borrow from the Library. You might want to request an item to support your studies and research, for general interest or leisure reading – all requests are welcome and there's no cost to you!
We no longer add charges to standard overdue items, and each item will renew automatically every three weeks for 12 months (as long as they haven’t been reserved by another user).
The only time we will add charges to your account is on reserved items, when another person has placed a reservation request for an item you have on loan, and you don't return it by its due date.
At busier periods during term time, Bill Bryson Library is open 24/7, giving you access to the building and warm study spaces whenever you need it.
Access to Bill Bryson Library is via entry gates to allow campus card access only, ensuring the Library is a secure space for you to study in. Security staff are onsite throughout our opening times. For more information, visit our Wellbeing guide.
Introduced during the pandemic, we've continued our free postal loans service which is available to all University staff and students who are not currently residing in a DH postcode. This service allows you to request items held at the Library to be posted first class to a UK address outside Durham City.
Another service we have continued following the pandemic is our scan and deliver service. Available to all current University members who are not currently residing in a DH postcode, this free service allows you to request scans of chapters and articles available in print in the Bill Bryson Library for individual research only (normal copyright restrictions apply).
We continue to offer our free postal returns service to all UK-based staff and students who are not currently living in a DH postcode, allowing you to return any items to us without having to travel to the Library.
We provide free sanitary products to anyone who needs them while studying in Bill Bryson Library, giving you peace of mind when you study with us. Our products are supplied in discreet wrapping and are available from the Help and Information Desk on Level 2.
Step away from your studies - a wellbeing, creative space.
The Snug is an informal, relaxed area where you can take some time out from your studies. Located next to the Help and Information Desk, it is home to our wellbeing collection, along with craft books, craft materials, colouring sheets and games.
As a Durham University member, students and staff can visit all our museums, exhibitions, botanic garden and join a tour of Durham Castle for free. For more information on our Things To Do offer, visit our website.
You can get in touch through our live chat service or by email, and search our FAQs for answers to your questions.
