If you need a quiet place to work over the Christmas break you are welcome to study in the de Havilland and College Lane LRCs. Both of our LRCs will remain open 24/7 over the Christmas and New Year break for students, staff, and SCONUL Access members.
To help you plan your visit please note the following about our services and facilities over the festive period:
- Books (loans and reservations)
- Learning spaces
- Computing and printing
- Study skills support
- Anytime, anywhere access to our services
- Support services
Find out more about facilities and support available on campus over the winter break.
Books
You can continue to borrow items over the Christmas and New Year period and loan periods will be adjusted accordingly.
- No books will need to be returned during the period Saturday 19 December 2026 to Monday 4 January 2027
- You can continue to reserve books and use our request a scan service up until Friday 18 December and the service will reopen on Monday 4 January.
- You may continue to make Inter Library Loan requests, but processing and fulfilment will be delayed over the Christmas and New Year period.
Keep track of your book loans. Just look for My Library Account on your StudyNet > Online Library page.
Learning spaces
- Independent and group study spaces are available
- Bookable group study rooms will be locked from 12.00 on Tuesday 22nd December and re open at 09.00 on Monday 4 January.
- Our CL LRC multi faith prayer rooms will remain open 24/7
- The Sensory Study room on the ground floor of the College Lane LRC will close at 12.00 on Tuesday 22 December and reopen at 10.00 on Monday 4 January.
Computers and printers
- PCs, Macs, and specialist software PCs (available 24/7 in our LRCs - no need to book)
- Chromebook loans for use anywhere on campus for 4 or 12 hours (available 24/7)
- Self-service print-copy-scan devices (available 24/7)
- Poster printing in the LRCs will close to new jobs from16:00 on Friday 18 December and reopen at 10:00 on Monday 4 January
- Document Services will close at 15:30 on Friday 18 December and reopen at 08:30 on Monday 4 January. Please plan ahead and submit any work requests by Monday 14 December.
Study skills support
- Our face-to-face Library Skills Support will finish on Thursday 10 December and will reopen again on Monday 18 January, 2027
- Online Library SkillUP chat will be available until 16:00 on Tuesday 22 December and reopen at 10:00 on Monday 4 January, 2027.
For more information and to continue to access all our online study skills resources and support go to the Study Success Hub unit on Library SkillUP.
Information on other support services can be found on the Academic and Study Skills Support page
Anytime, anywhere access to our services
Whether you are studying on campus or at home don’t forget you can access our online services wherever you are:
- Extensive digital book and journal collection via the Online library
- Library SkillUp (Canvas module) specialist online study skills support with lots of useful help on topics such as searching, reading, referencing, and evaluating
- Remote desktop service - access an LRC or Lab PC anytime, anywhere
- Suggest a book/ebook purchase
Support services
- LRC Welcome Desks will close at 14:00 Tuesday 22 December and reopen at 10:00 Monday 4 January 2027
- Helpdesk staff will be available for bookable face-to-face appointments until Tuesday 22 December.
- Our on-site technical support will be unavailable during the University closure period (17:00 Tuesday 22 December to 08:00 Monday 4 January)
- Phone support will remain available 24/7 Tel: +44(0)1707 284678
- Online help is available 24/7. Search Ask Herts
With thanks to the security and cleaning staff who will be working in the LRCs during this time.
Wishing you all a very happy Christmas break.