Visiting the Library
Library staff are available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm providing a full library support service. Outside of those hours, the Library is mainly self-service with library security in the building.
Details of our full opening hours can be found on our opening hours page.
What services do we offer?
You can view what services we offer through our Using the Library guide.
Please note, internet access is only available to Roehampton staff and students. You can access the internet at the Library by using your University of Roehampton username and password.
We are unable to offer internet access under any of our membership schemes, although if you are a SCONUL library member and your institution is signed up to use eduroam, you can access the Wi-Fi via eduroam and your logins from your home university. For more guidance on this, see our eduroam page.
For safety and security, you must carry your ID card at all times. You need this to access buildings and facilities across the university.
You also need your ID card to enter and exit the Library and to borrow items.
If you don't have your ID with you, you can sign in at the Welcome Desk. When you sign in, you’ll be able to access the library facilities but won't be able to borrow any items, including laptops.
For more information, visit our FAQ on "How do I get my Student ID card?".
Please note ID cards are not transferable and library users are expected to comply with the Student Code of Conduct.
If you study with us through a partnership organisation, or are based at the Holborn campus, please see the ‘Partnership’ tab at the top of this box.
General visitors
Our Library is card access-only, so to access the Library you must have a membership card. If you’re not a Roehampton student or staff member, we have several membership schemes you can sign up for – including our free community membership. Visitors need to be 18 years of age or older, and cannot get in to the Library after 9.00pm. Please visit our Visitors to the Library and Collaborative Partners page for more information, and to apply for a membership scheme.
The Librarian or approved on-site representative reserves the right to deny access to any external visitor.
Please note, that Wi-Fi access is not available in any of our membership schemes, although if you are a SCONUL library member and your institution is signed up to use eduroam you will be able to access the Wi-Fi via eduroam. For more guidance on this, see our eduroam help page.
Visitors with staff
If you are a member of staff at Roehampton and have guests that you’d like to bring into the Library, please contact us.
Visiting scholars
If you are a visiting scholar, please see our Visiting Scholars guide for information on how to gain access to Library resources.
Visitors supporting a Roehampton student’s studies
If you are planning to visit the Library to support a Roehampton student’s studies, please contact us.
Partnership students
If you study with us through a partnership organisation, or are based at the Holborn campus, please see the ‘Partnership’ tab at the top of this box.
The University of Roehampton has a specific LibGuide for each of its collaborative partners. Each guide has information about Library and IT resources and support for students and staff. You can find the guide for your institution on our Partnership Libguides pages.
Please note: if you’re a QA student based in Roehampton’s London Holborn Centre, you may be able to request to get a Partnership Library card which will give you access to our Library situated on campus in Roehampton. For more information speak to a member of staff or check the specific 'Membership & visiting UR Library' part of your specific Partnership's LibGuide.
Library Rules & Regulations
Library Services aims to make your experience of studying in the Library as productive and welcoming as possible. To assist with this, we ask that all users show respect for each other, towards library staff and the building itself.
Noise
We ask that all users respect the noise zones on each floor out of consideration for other library users. This includes using headphones for music and videos on all floors of the Library. You can find more information about our noise policy via the tab above, on our noise zone graphic or viewing the information for each floor on our Study Spaces page.
Food and Drinks
You can bring cold snacks into the Library to eat in the Cafe, Ground Floor, First Floor and Second Floor. Food is not permitted on the Third Floor. All takeaways and hot food (including food from campus diners) must be eaten outside the Library. Lidded drinks can be consumed on all floors of the Library. Please note, no food or drink is permitted in the Archives room.
Security and Behaviour
We ask all users to treat fellow library users and library staff with dignity and respect. Any demeaning or offensive language will not be tolerated. For security reasons we also ask that you do not leave your belongings unattended inside the Library, as they're considered a risk and will be removed.
For more information, please consult with the University Student Code of Conduct, found on the University's regulations policies and procedures page.
For safety and security, you must carry your ID card at all times. You need this to access buildings and facilities across the university.
You also need your ID card to enter and exit the Library and to borrow items.
If you don't have your ID with you, you can sign in at the Welcome Desk. When you sign in, you’ll be able to access the library facilities but won't be able to borrow any items, including laptops.
For more information, visit our FAQ on "How do I get my Student ID card?".
Please note: ID cards are not transferable and library users are expected to comply with the Student Code of Conduct.
Our food policy balances the needs of students while creating a study space where students can focus on their work and items are protected from damage.
If what you're eating disturbs other users (for example, foods that are smelly, greasy or noisy) we may ask you to move to another area or take it outside the Library. Remember to be thoughtful of others and leave your study space clean, putting all litter in the bins.
This is what you can eat and where:
- Lower Ground Café - enjoy our cafe selection or snacks
- Ground Floor, First Floor and Second Floor - cold snacks are welcome
- Third Floor - food-free zone
-
Lidded drinks are allowed on every floor. Please do not take liquids into the archive room.
And remember, whatever floor you are on, don't forget to take regular breaks when studying.
Take-outs and fast food must be eaten outside the Library. This includes take-outs from other food places on campus. If you are looking for somewhere to eat, the Campus Catering page lists all the food catering outlets on campus and their opening hours. The Quad /The Reef in Southlands or Digby Diner are the closest places to the Library to eat your takeaways and hot foods.
If you want to know more about what is expected from you and what you can expect from us, look at our Library Code of Conduct pdf.
Our noise policy supports a flexible working environment, where students can concentrate on their studies and find the type of study space that is best for them.
Please keep to the noise level on each floor:
- Ground Floor and Café - quiet
- First Floor – quiet
- Second Floor – whisper
- Third Floor - silent
There is no phone use on the Second and Third Floor and remember to always use headphones for music and videos wherever you are in the library.
If you want to know more about what is expected from you and what you can expect from us, look at our Library Code of Conduct pdf.
Study Rooms
Study Rooms in the Library
Please visit the Study Room booking portal to reserve our study rooms. Rooms can be booked for a maximum of three hours a day, and are bookable up to seven days in advance.
We have 13 study rooms available for student use; six on the First Floor and eight on the Second Floor. If the study room has a screen, it will also have an attached webcam for use in lectures and virtual one-to-one meetings. You can also use WePresent to show your device’s screen on the study room's screen. You can screen share up to four devices at the same time (as long as one of these devices is a laptop). For more guidance see our WePresent quick start guide as well as our WePresent walkthrough guide.
Other Rooms in the Library
Room 1.22 is the shared postgraduate study room in the Library. This quiet study room has six PCs (four of which are on adjustable height tables).
This room is quiet shared space, please be mindful of others when using it. Users may be asked to move if they are disturbing others.
Other Study Spaces on Campus
Did you know students can also use Southlands Queens Building QB.046 and Manresa Hall? These are 24 hour study spaces and you’ll need your Student ID card to access them.
There are also lots of Alternative Study Spaces across the University. To find out more information - speak to a member of staff in your department, such as the Administrator or Programme Convenor.
Printing, Copying & Scanning
We have printers on the Ground Floor and First Floor of the Library. Printers can be used to print, scan and photocopy.
Visit the Printing, Copying and Scanning page on the Student Portal for more information, including guidance on:
- Costs and credit (including how to top up your credit).
- Guidance on how to print, copy and scan (such as how to print in colour, or single-sided instead of double-sided).
- Printing from laptops, tablets, phones and personal devices.
Event Bookings in the Foyer
We can host University and Departmental events and also offer space to student groups and societies (these must be organised through Roehampton Student Union).
Please note, student space takes priority so if there is significant impact on Library users and space we may not always be able to fulfil your request.
In order to request to book the foyer, please complete a Library foyer booking request form.
Things to consider
• Requests must be sent at least seven days prior to the date of the event. This allows us to plan ahead to accommodate the needs of our users.
• If you are are booking for a University of Roehampton society or group, please contact the Activities Co-ordinator at the Student Union.
• We do not permit bake sales or any food-related products in the foyer.
• Please ensure you leave the area tidy and clean, and any tables or furniture brought with you are promptly removed.
Filming and Photography in the Library
We are happy to consider requests for filming and photo shoots in the library space, but we do have to take into account the needs of all library users. Therefore it is important that these activities do not impede quiet or silent study, or cause any disruption to others using the space. Some requests may be refused to ensure the above conditions are adhered to.
If you would like to film in the Library, you will need to complete the following forms:
- Library filming request form
- Library personal appearance form - note: a personal appearance form must be completed by each participant being filmed.
Your filming or photo shoot request is only confirmed once you have received acceptance of the booking via email.
Things to consider
- Forms should be sent seven days prior to the filming. This allows us to plan ahead to accommodate the needs of all our users.
- During 24 hour periods we do not allow filming to take place in the Library as the high demand for quiet study space takes precedence at this time.
- You must seek users' permissions to be filmed during shots of the Library or its interior.
- We may refuse requests for filming in areas which may impact on other students - this might involve filming in public areas during busier times. In these circumstances, we recommend that filming takes place early in the morning when the Library is less busy.
- Please inform us if you will be bringing any bulky equipment - a risk assessment should be carried out by the person/people undertaking the filming, and the on duty Library Supervisor will check that the set-up is safe regarding Health and Safety concerns.
- The Library is an access-only space, therefore any crew who are not existing members of the University will need to have arranged membership in advance.
- University of Roehampton's Data Protection Policy.
Display and Exhibition Space in the Library
We have three main display areas in the Library that can be booked individually or together by staff, students and external users.
They can be used for marking key historical, social or national awareness events, displaying academic work and achievements, and promoting societies or other University events.
If you want to request to use the space, please complete a Display and Exhibition Space Booking Form.
Things to consider
- It is essential to book display space well in advance to avoid disappointment – we recommend requesting space at least three months in advance.
- Displays have to be engaging and representative of the University. They must look professional, visually coherent and accurate, with a clear title or theme and information on the topic.
- The display content needs to be approved before the display goes live to ensure it meets the Library display guidelines. We may offer suggestions to change some information and may also choose not to display sensitive or controversial material, or content we deem not to meet our guidelines.