Studying in the Library
The College Library is intended for academic study, in order to maintain a pleasant working environment all users are requested to observe the following steps:
- The Library is a quiet study space throughout, take all conversations outside, keep noise to a minimum and be thoughtful of those working around you.
- Food must not be brought into the Library. Non-alcoholic drinks are permitted provided that they are contained in sealed bottles or lidded cups.
- Please switch all mobile phones and other devices to silent mode in the Library and go outside if you need to take or make a call.
- Do not leave personal property unattended for significant lengths of time. Belongings will be removed by staff where necessary in order to create space for other users.
- Help us keep the Library clean by disposing of any rubbish or unwanted paper in the bins provided.
- Do not write in, mark or underline sections of Library books.
The Library Team and Porters monitor the library to help maintain the working atmosphere. If you have experienced problems, please report this to a member of staff, in person or by e-mail, so that we can work to resolve the issue. All users of the library are expected to identify themselves if requested.
Repeated breaking of library rules or disruptive behaviour in the Library may be reported to your tutor or the Dean.
Study Spaces
The College Library offers a mix of individual desks, shared desks and window seats. Standing desks are not available, but raised laptop stands and book chairs can be borrowed to help facilitate different study positions.
Up to four books may be reserved for use in the Library in addition to the ten that you may borrow. Reserved books should be left in a tidy pile to one side of the desk when the reader is away from the Library so that others can use the space. A completed reservation slip should be left with them. Slips are valid for 24 hours, unless updated by the reader. Items without a valid slip may be cleared away. Personal possessions (files, clothing, bags etc.) should not be left unattended.
Empty shelves should not be used to store on-loan Library books or personal possessions.
Ramsay Hall
Ramsay Hall study room is open 8 am to 7 pm every day (except Long Vacation) and has 25 study spaces as well as a comfortable reading area with sofas and bean bags.
All usual Library rules and etiquette apply to this new study space. Please note that it is not locked during the day so please do not leave valuables unattended. Please also note that it will be locked at 7 pm, so anything you leave in there will not be accessible after this time.
Books from the main library (including reference books and journals) can be taken over to Ramsay Hall. However, they must still be borrowed via the Self-Service machine if taken from either location.
Lost property
Valuables found in the Library are handed into the Porters’ Lodge. Other items of lost property are kept in the staff area of the library. Please ask a member of staff if you are concerned an item has gone missing. The lost property box is cleared out at the end of each term.
Books belonging to other libraries which are returned to the College Library by mistake are put on the reserve shelf and then returned to the library if unclaimed.
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency, telephones can be located to the left of the staff area in Right Cloister and by the right-hand desk in the Middle Room of Left Cloister. Dial 32100 for the Porters’ Lodge.
If the fire alarm sounds, please leave the Library immediately, either by the entrances in Right or Left Cloister or by the emergency exit on the first floor of Right Cloister. The nearest Fire Assembly Point is in First Court.
Library Regulations
In order to make the College Library a pleasant place for everyone to study in, to ensure that everyone can get the best use out of the collections, and to protect the books and building, please observe the following regulations:
- Smoking is forbidden in any part of the Library, on the staircases and in the cloister of the Pepys Building, and in Second Court.
- Food and drink are not allowed in the Library, with the sole exception of water in re-sealable bottles. Food and drink, including disposable containers and plastic bottles, will be confiscated and disposed of if found. Mugs and flasks will be confiscated until the end of term, or until the end of the following term if confiscated during vacations.
- Borrowable items must not be taken out of the Library unless borrowed following the correct borrowing procedure. There is a fine of £30 per item for taking such items without borrowing them correctly.
- Reference-only materials must not be removed from the Library at any time, including during vacations. There is a fine of £100 per item for removing reference only items.
- Books must not be written in, marked or damaged in any way. The replacement cost will be charged for damaged or defaced books.
- Silence should be maintained in the Library.
- Mobile phones may not be used in the Library, and must be on silent mode or switched off.
- Readers must not occupy more than one reading space, nor leave personal possessions (files, clothing, bags, etc.) unattended in the Library for more than a short time.
- Keep all fire exits and access points clear at all times and do not prop doors open.
- Power points in the Library are for use with laptop computers and desk lamps only. Laptops, or laptop power cables, should not be left plugged in unattended. Heaters from rooms must not be used in the Library.
Fines or other disciplinary action, in addition to those specified above, may be applied for breaches of any these rules.