Our services: Getting started with the Library: Visiting our buildings

Safety measures

• You must wear a face covering at all times within our buildings and study spaces, even when sitting at your study desk (unless you are exempt).

• There are currently no social distancing requirements during your visit. However, for the comfort and reassurance for staff and users, we ask that you are mindful of others and allow space between you and other users when in the building. 

• Currently, we don't have any one-way systems in place, but we are asking everyone to keep to the left where possible when moving around the building. 

• Please ensure good hand hygiene throughout your time in our buildings. You should wash your hands regularly and use sanitiser on entry and exit of the building, and before and after touching or using any books or equipment. 

• We are operating a clean as you go process – please wipe down all desks, work areas and shared library equipment before and after use, and put all rubbish in the bins provided. We have cleaning stations available on each floor within our buildings. 

• Use the study desk you have been allocated – all study spaces are individual. If you sit in a seat not allocated to you, you may be asked to leave the Library.

• There are Perspex screens on our Reception and Help and Information desks. 

Air Quality Monitors (AQM)

• We will be monitoring the air quality throughout our buildings on a regular basis and taking any necessary steps to ensure these are kept at safe levels for our staff and students. Air quality may vary throughout the day, depending on occupancy in a particular area, and ventilation may need to be increased at times to maintain safe levels.
   
• We have Air Quality Monitors (AQM) positioned throughout our buildings to ensure ventilation is kept at an appropriate level. Different coloured lights display three levels of air quality, depending on ventilation/the number of people within each area.
   
• When you visit, please be aware of the following:
  • Green – air quality is at an appropriate level.
  • Amber – air quality is still at an appropriate level, but you must report the issue to the Help and Information/Reception Desk. We may reduce the number of people studying in the vicinity of the AQM or increase ventilation.
  • Red – air quality needs to be improved - you must move away from the area and report the issue to the Help and Information/Reception Desk. We will have to temporarily reduce the number of people in the area, so you will be asked to move to another study desk.
     
• Any areas where the AQM readings show amber or red will be reviewed by our Health and Safety team, who will take any action required to improve the ventilation in those areas.

Cleaning and hand hygiene

• We are operating a clean as you go process – please wipe down all desks, work areas and shared library equipment before and after use, and put all rubbish in the bins provided. We have cleaning stations available on each floor within our buildings. 

• Please do not wipe down any books - place any books you have used in the designated area at the end of your study time. 

• Take care if wiping any electrical equipment – please do not spray fluid directly onto any equipment. 

• Please ensure good hand hygiene throughout your time in our buildings. You should wash your hands regularly and use sanitiser on entry and exit of the building, and before and after touching or using any books or equipment. 

Covid Marshals

• Covid Marshals will be on hand to support our safety measures and to help you during your visit.
   
• They will greet you as you enter the building and may check your booking confirmation or remind you of our safety measures. They can help you to find your seat and direct you through our one-way systems. They will routinely walk around the building to be available to you and to support the measures we have in place.
   
• Please do speak to them if you have any questions or need support - they’re here to help and to make sure we’re all staying as safe as possible.

Access and evacuation

• Accessible toilets are available on every floor within Bill Bryson Library.

• In the event of a fire alarm, please leave by the nearest fire exit and head to the designated assembly point. There will be no need to keep to any one-way routes. 

• We will make every effort to accommodate any accessibility requirements you have. Please contact us in advance if you have any concerns about accessibility while using the Library or any of our buildings.

• For more information of each of our buildings, please visit our Libraries and Site Information guide.

Accessing books at Bill Bryson Library

• You can browse and use books during your study time at the Library. We ask that you place any books you have used in the designated area at the end of your study time. If you browse a book from the shelves but decide you don’t want it, you can put it straight back.  

• Please don’t leave any books at your study space.  

• If you wish to check out any items, our self-service issue machines will be available for use until 30 minutes before closing - these are positioned on Levels 3 and 4 in the East wing and on Level 2 near the Help and Information desk. 

• Please use the Book Drop facility at the main entrance of Bill Bryson Library for all returns, or our self-service returns machines opposite the Help and Information Desk on Level 2. Visit our Returns guide for more information.

PC availability

• When you book a study space, you can choose if you want a space with a PC. However, there will be more limited numbers available than normal. Library loanable laptops are also available on a self-service basis and located opposite the Help and Information Desk on Level 2 of Bill Bryson Library.

• PCs are not available in the Teaching and Learning Centre. 

Food and drink

• Lidded drinks and cold food are currently allowed on all levels of the Library - please maintain good hand hygiene, clean any areas after use and put all rubbish into the bins provided.

• You can bring in reusable, lidded drink containers to have during your study time, which may be refilled using the water fountains.

• Small Island Coffee is located on Level 2 of Bill Bryson Library and offers a range of sandwiches, salads, drinks and snacks. You can pop in to buy items during your time in the Library (as of 4 October 2021) or you can pre-order your items on a click and collect basis. Please see Small Island Coffee webpages for current opening times.

• The TLC has its own cafe called Zing - you can pop in to buy items or you can pre-order your items on a click and collect basis. Please see Zing webpages for current opening times.

• At Leazes Road Study Space, lidded drinks are allowed throughout the building. Please note, no food should be consumed inside this study space.

• Vending machines are available for use – if there is a queue, please allow space between you and others. 

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

Accessing Wi-Fi

• Visit https://www.dur.ac.uk/cis/students/ for details of how to access our Wi-Fi. 

Help and Information

• If you need any help whilst you’re in any of our buildings, please contact our live chat service through our Virtual Enquiry Desk and a member of staff will be readily available to help you.