Coronavirus: changes to library services

Update - End of October 2020

Most libraries within the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership are now able to offer a Click and Collect service, with an additional postal service for distance learners. Book borrowing and study spaces provides details of the services available at each site. Please use the relevant form to request Click and Collect, postal loans or study space access.

Print books provided in this way will have been quarantined for 72 hours since their last use.

 This service is up and running in a limited way. It may take slightly longer than usual at the moment to send books between campuses, and in some cases, it will not be possible to obtain titles in this way. Please speak to your local library if you wish to make a request.

 All library books that were out on loan during lockdown had their due date extended to the 31st of August. We are now keen to get these back so they will be available for this year's students.

There is no need to worry about late return fines - these are no longer in force. Any library fines accrued since December 1st 2019 will be waived and no new fines will accumulate. Please note that as of the 18th March 2020 no university partnership library will being be charging late fees, even after the Coronavirus crisis has passed.

Some of our libraries have book return boxes at the entrance to the building, some allow books to be returned to the library itself and some require you to post them back (often with Freepost label) or make an appointment to return. Full details can be found on the Your Local Library page.

It may take longer than usual for the books to come off your account, as we quarantine all returned items for 72 hours.

Need a quick question answered, or detailed help in finding resources for a research project? The librarians are here to help:

• We are delighted to announce that we now have a Library Live Chat service. It is currently available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. You will get through to a duty librarian who will either answer your query straight away or pass it on to the correct person to deal with it.
• Contact your Librarian by email - see the Your Local Library page for contact details.
• Arrange a video appointment with your local librarian using video conferencing technology - contact your librarian by email to arrange this - see the Your Local Library page for contact details
• The libguides homepage has further guides on electronic resources, ebooks, referencing and much more. You can also open a ticket on the Servicedesk and your query or problem will be directed to the relevant member of the team.

• We continue to purchase electronic versions of Core and Recommended reading wherever possible. Our module reading list software includes a huge number of items that are available electronically. Within your list, look for the 'view online' button. 
•  Multisearch: on searching, remember to tick checkbox options like 'full text' or 'online' to view materials that are available electronically. This will remove print materials from search results.
• Our A-Z Online Collections list continues to offer a huge range of online resources and collections.

 The libguides homepage has further guides on electronic resources, ebooks, referencing and much more.