General Library Guide: Using the Library Services Safely

Library Services provide a wide range of high-quality library and information services, supporting learning, teaching and research.

Our Library services have increased their presence online.

In light of the recent Government announcement, students on practical courses and those who require specialist equipment or facilities, will be able to return for on-campus teaching from 8 March. We have extended our opening hours and we will continue to support students on all other courses to study online and the Government have indicated they will provide a further update on a wider return for all students by Easter.

Our priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of our whole university community.

The Government has been clear that regular testing for students and staff will be a key part of the safe reopening of campuses and we have local authority testing facilities on all three of our campuses. If returning to campus, you must get tested when you return to campus and twice weekly (with around three days between tests) thereafter to help prevent asymptomatic transmission.

Tests can be booked via Greenwich council Medway council (you can book a test at any council test site).

We will maintain our existing Covid-Safe measures, including observing social distancing and face coverings, to continue to support the safe operation of our library services.

We are open with limited services.

Your safety and wellbeing is our priority and in line with Government guidance, we are open and offering a limited service which is regularly reviewed and subject to change.  You must wear a face covering when using the library unless exempt and maintain social distancing of 2m from other people. We have hand sanitisation stations around the building and wipes and spray for study spaces.

Socially distancing measures:

• A restricted number of people in the library at any one time
• One-way route around the library to avoid close contact with others
• Transparent screens at the Welcome Desk
• Study spaces are socially distanced and should not be moved.
• If you have their own laptop, we recommend you use it rather than a student PC.  The laptop loans service is not available.

Face covering policy:

Students are expecting to wear face covering at all times while in the library unless exempt. 

Food and drink policy:

Cold food and drinks are allowed. We have no concerns about food and drink increasing the risk of transmission.  We are therefore allowing drinks with lids/cold food as we did before the pandemic.

Services you can use in the library:

• We have a reduced number of socially distanced study spaces and PCs
• Printing is available

Digital resources and academic support is available online.  Whether you are a new, continuing or master’s student, we have the resources you need to get ready to learn online and develop your digital skills.  https://www.gre.ac.uk/academicskills/skills-for-uni

• Online IT and Library support https://www.gre.ac.uk/it-and-library

We may release to NHS England  Library entry and exit data in support of the Test & Protect service. 

Test and Trace

The Library turnstile systems record information from your Library card on when you enter and leave the premises. This can be linked to your student or staff record for a number of purposes.  All personal data will be held in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We will share your contact details with NHS Test and Trace, if asked, in the event of a fellow user or staff member testing positive for coronavirus. NHS Test and Trace will handle all data according to the highest ethical and security standards and ensure it is used only for the purposes of protecting public health, including minimising the transmission of COVID-19.  Contacting people who might have been exposed to the virus is an important step in stopping the spread. 

We currently do not offer

• Group study rooms
• Loanable laptops
• No Children access
• No Alumni access
• No SCONUL access
• No access to the Academic Skills hub

Any concerns?

Please email  sws-UserservicesTeam@greenwich.ac.uk