The Albert Sloman Library

Information for Visitors

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Welcome to the Library

In addition to our main service for students and staff of the University, the Library is available to various kinds of visitors:

• University alumni who have registered with the Library.
• Researchers who have previously contacted the Librarian and been granted access.
• Members of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History (ESAH).
• Members of other universities during vacations (under the SCONUL Vacation Access Scheme).
• Members of institutions who participate in SCONUL Access.
• Students on degree courses at Writtle College, South Essex College of Further and Higher Education and Colchester Institute which are validated by the University.*
• Students on degree courses at University Campus Suffolk or one of its affiliated colleges.*

*(see information on Partner Institutions)

Alumni

Graduates of the University who live within 20 miles of the Colchester campus are able to register to borrow from the Library. Proof of graduation and address should be presented at the Circulation desk on the ground floor to register. Alumni can usually borrow 5 books for up to 2 weeks. Short loan, 3 day and 7 day books are excluded.

External readers

The Library is open to researchers on application in writing to the Librarian (at the address below), for reference purposes. Access to other services, including borrowing, is dependent on academic or professional status, or affiliation to the University of Essex.

Mr. Robert Butler, Albert Sloman Library, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ.

Essex Society for Archaeology and History

All members of the Society are required to register beforehand as readers of the Albert Sloman Library. Members should write for a Library card to Robert Butler, Librarian, The Albert Sloman Library, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ. 

The Society's collection is located in a part of the Library to which admission by University students is not available. Members should, on arrival at the Library, introduce themselves at the Circulation desk (ground floor) and show their Library card to the member of Library staff on duty. Access to the collection will then be arranged. Please note that access is available Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm. During University term access is also available on Saturdays from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Many items in the collection are available for reference only, including all journals and those books designated as non-loanable by the Society's Honorary Librarian. However, the borrowing of loanable items from the collection is permitted.  Members may borrow up to five items at any one time for a maximum loan period of ten weeks. When borrowing loanable items please bring them, together with your Library card, to the Circulation desk. Items that are borrowed will be subject to the Library's regulations for borrowing. Please note that fines of 30p per day are charged for overdue books.

SCONUL Vacation Access

The University of Essex is a member of the above scheme which allows, undergraduate students and postgraduate students following taught courses at UK colleges of higher education or UK or Irish universities reference use of the Library free of charge during the vacations of the University of Essex.

If you request admittance you should be prepared to present proof of your current membership of a university or college of higher education. A current library card will normally be acceptable, provided that it shows the holder as an undergraduate or taught postgraduate.

SCONUL Access

SCONUL Access is a reciprocal access scheme under which particular categories of users are permitted to borrow books from other libraries participating in the scheme. This scheme replaces UK Libraries Plus and SCONUL Research Extra and carries forward the basic principles of these schemes.

SCONUL Access provides borrowing privileges for most:

• academic staff on open or fixed term contracts
• postgraduate research students registered for a PhD, MPhil or similar qualification
• part-time, distance learning and placement students
• full-time postgraduates

SCONUL Access also provides for a reference only service for most:

• full-time undergraduate students
• staff of a few higher education libraries not participating in the reciprocal borrowing arrangements

If you are at a participating institution, you may register for the scheme at your home library and bring the relevant documentation to Essex University Library to be granted borrowing/reference rights as appropriate.

If you are a member of an institution which is not participating in SCONUL Access, you may still be able to use this library in the vacation under the SCONUL Vacation Access Scheme

Services for visitors

Visitors should sign the Visitors' Book at the Circulation Desk on arrival, and should carry relevant forms of identification with them at all times (e.g. SCONUL Access card, Student Registration card, Library Reader's Ticket). The Library's opening hours can be checked online in advance of your visit.

There are various services which are available to you as visitors of the Library:

Access to the Library catalogue

The Library catalogue can be searched from computers within the Library, as well as through the internet prior to your visit. There are catalogue terminals on all floors of the Library - look for the computers with black screens which do not require a login. You are welcome to bring laptops, which can be plugged into the mains on the floors of the Library. Please note that it is not possible to access the University's network from within the Library, either from the Library PCs or a laptop, as it is restricted to members of the University for licensing reasons. If you are a member of another institution which participates in eduroam, you may be able to access the eduroam wireless network through your laptop. It should be noted that access under the terms of eduroam does not entitle members of one institution to access the licensed resources of another institution. More information about eduroam at Essex is available from the Computing Service website.

Access to books and periodicals on shelves

Visitors are welcome to use materials within the Library, including periodicals. Current periodical parts are located on the first floor. You are also welcome to use any of the desks or reading areas in the Library to sit and study.

Access to e-resources

Remote access to our e-resources is strictly limited to members of the University of Essex (staff & students). However, many of our e-resources are available on a 'walk-in' basis i.e. in the library building. More information on thise service can be found on our Walk-in Databases page.

Photocopying services

Visitors may purchase photocopy cards from the Circulation Desk on the Ground Floor in order to make copies from Library materials. £1, £2, £5 and £10 cards can be bought, depending on how many copies you wish to make. Please note that any copies you make are subject to copyright law.

Help from Library service points

If you have any questions or problems whilst you are in the Library, please do come to the Enquiry desk, which is on the first floor of the Library, and the member of staff on duty will be happy to assist you.

Regulations

Visitors should note the following Library regulations and practices:

Bags will be examined by Library staff as readers leave the Library. The knowing removal of Library books contrary to the regulations is strictly forbidden.

The main floors of the Library should be treated as silent study areas. Group work or discussions may take place on the landings or at the area at the foot of the stairs on the Ground Floor. Mobile phones should be switched off in the Library.

Smoking and the consumption of food and drink is not permitted in the Library.

The marking and defacing of books is strictly forbidden.

The reservation of seats in the public reading areas of the Library is not permitted. Books and other articles left for any length of time on chairs and tables may be removed by the Library staff. Articles left in these areas at closing time will be cleared away. The Library accepts no responsibility for personal belongings left in the building.

Contact us

If you have any questions or comments about using the Library as a visitor, please email libline, come to the Enquiry desk on the first floor of the Library in person or contact the Circulation Desk on 01206 873183.