Library Essentials - get started with using the library

We know that all of our users have different study preferences: you might need space to spread out your books, prefer to work in silence, or need access to a power socket. Meeting these preferences can be a challenge. We're aware that finding the right study space can be difficult when other library users have left their belongings unattended, especially as study spaces are currently limited due to social distancing.

Our Fair Space for All scheme, allows you to indicate to other users that you have left your items for up to 30 minutes in the knowledge that they won't be moved. 

Find out how the scheme will work below. If you have any questions, feedback or comments, please email us on library@sgul.ac.uk

The Fair Space for All Scheme enables users to leave their belongings in the Library for a short period: up to 30 minutes.

Where items have been left unattended for longer than 30 minutes, or no Fair Space for All pass is present, other users are encouraged to move these items aside to be able to use the study space themselves.

The scheme is operational all year round and won't be restricted to busy periods.

Fair Space for All passes are available to collect from the Library Helpdesk.

When you want a break, write down on the pass the time you have left your seat. You should leave this on your desk, so that is visible to other users and Library staff.

If another user would like to use the desk, and 30 minutes has elapsed since the time indicated on the pass, they are free to move these belongings aside.

If you feel uncomfortable moving unattended belongings, please ask a member of Library staff or the Library Security Officer and they will move the items for you.

The passes have been designed for multiple uses, so once you are finished with one, please return it to a member of staff.

There are three main reasons for this system:

1) To encourage users to take breaks without worrying their belongings will be removed.

2) To stop 'desk-hogging'. We want to encourage fair use of the Library space and discourage users from using their belongings to 'reserve' desks for long periods of time, especially when study spaces are limited during busy periods.

3) To encourage users to 'study healthy' and take a break from their work.

Any belongings left in the Library are done so at the user's own risk - the Library does not take responsibility for any items that are unattended.

You should always take valuable belongings with you when you leave the Library (e.g. purses, phones, devices, laptops etc.)

If belongings are left without a study pass, they may be moved (or removed) before the 30 minute time limit as fellow Library users, staff and security will have no way of knowing how long they have been left there.

If the time indicated on the pass has been exceeded by a reasonable time, or there is a lack of study space available, then belongings may be removed and placed behind the helpdesk.