At busier periods during term time, Bill Bryson Library is open 24/7, giving you access to the building and study spaces whenever you need it.
Enquiry support at our Help and Information Desk within the Library is available daily between 9am-6pm. General support and self-service operate outside these times.
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.
Bookable and non-bookable study spaces are provided, giving you the option to either book ahead to guarantee a study space for a specific length of time or drop in whenever it’s convenient to grab a free space.
For more information on study spaces available at Bill Bryson Library, visit our Study Spaces Guide.
As always, your welfare is a high priority to us. We might be open for 24 hours, but that doesn’t mean you should study every hour of the day!
Consider the following when planning your study time:
Study at a time that works for you
Visit us and use our resources when it’s most useful for you, but make sure you go home and rest when you need to.
Take regular breaks
It might be a 20-minute break to stretch your legs and move away from a screen. It might be that you’ve done enough for the day and it's time to go home, relax and make some time for yourself. Both are as important as each other.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is so important, not only to help you feel refreshed and focused when studying but also to support your mental health and wellbeing.
Plan your journey home
Visit the University Student Safety webpages for advice on planning your journey home. If you’re studying with us during the evening/early hours, you can access the Durham SU’s Night-Cab service Monday-Saturday between 9pm-2am and Sunday 9pm-11pm. (Times may vary - visit the Durham SU website for more information.)
SafeZone safety app
SafeZone is a free to download safety app available to all Durham University staff and students, which connects you directly to the University security team should you require assistance. To find out more and how to download the app, visit the SafeZone webpages.
University security
Security at Durham is available 365 days of the year 24/7 to support with your security needs. Security can be contacted on +44 (0)191 334 2222 or +44 (0)191 334 3333.
Support and Wellbeing
If you need support, or are concerned about your health and wellbeing, visit our Student Support and Wellbeing webpages for details of support available to you.