Students are at the heart of everything we do here in Library and Computing Services and we are listening and continuously improving our services to help you make the most of your studies here at Herts.
- Find the right study space for you
- Get Connected
- Use a Uni computer
- Finding and using resources
- Skill up
- Digital skills development
- Staying safe online
- Herts in your pocket
- Get help using library and computing services
Find the right study space for you
Our Learning Resources Centres (LRCs) are your one stop shop for study spaces, computing, printing, books and resources. We’ve listened to what you’ve told us and have acted on your feedback to make the following improvements to our services and spaces to help you succeed in your studies.
- Refreshed group study spaces - we know how important it is to have dedicated space to study in groups, so we’ve refreshed the IT kit in some of our ever-popular bookable group study rooms to help make your study sessions even more productive. We’ve also introduced a new, easy to use room booking system and as part of our ongoing improvements, you’ll soon be able to reserve things like equipment or even time with staff for extra support. Find out more about how to Book a Group Study room.
- We’ve upgraded the heating and cooling system in our LRCs to keep things comfy all year round—whether it’s freezing outside or feeling like a heatwave, you’ll have a pleasant space to study or take a break in between lectures.
- New collect and drop-off lockers on the ground floor of both LRCs—these are available 24/7 so you can collect interlibrary loan books or IT equipment whenever it works best for you.
- We’ve converted the café outlet into a handy self-service area—complete with a coffee pod, microwaves and vending machines stocked with drinks, snacks, and hot or cold food. Perfect for a quick refuel whenever you need it!
- Studying Primary Education? We’ve moved our teaching experience collection to a dedicated space on the first floor of the DH LRC – it’s designed to feel just like a school library so is the perfect spot to explore resources and get inspired.
- Take a break from your studies - from mid-October to Christmas, the Herts Activator team will be popping up regularly on the ground floor of the CL LRC with fun activities like Jenga, boules, Batak, yoga, and table tennis. Come along and try something new.
Inclusive services and support
Our spaces are designed to be welcoming and accessible to everyone. We offer spaces, services, and technology to support students and staff with disabilities—whether or not you have a formal diagnosis. Find out more here: Disability Support in the LRCs.
Plan your visit and explore what’s available online and in person to support you with your studies:
- Watch our LRC tour videos for a whistlestop tour of what’s available or for a fun activity to help you find your way around the LRC try out our virtual escape room activity:
- Unlock College Lane LRC - virtual escape room activity
- Unlock de Havilland LRC - virtual escape room activity
- See Ask Herts: https://ask.herts.ac.uk/learning-resources-centres
Get connected
On-campus you can connect to the free campus Wi-Fi (eduroam) using any of your devices. Go to getconnected.herts.ac.uk to get started and once set up you will connect automatically whenever you are on campus.
Look out for our students wearing blue Wi-Fi Warrior T-shirts at the start of term to help you get up and running.
Returning to campus for the first time since July? Update eduroam security on your device. Find out more: ask.herts.ac.uk/set-up-eduroam-wireless#eduroamsecurity
Use a Uni computer
Whether you are bringing your own device or using one of our LRC or lab PCs across campus we’ve made it easier to access the computing and software you need for your studies with:
- Upgraded LRC computers so they are faster, better, and ready for your studies
- Coming soon - extra monitors in our specialist software PC zones giving you more screen space to work on complex projects and assignments with ease
- Creative Arts & Digital Animation software easier to access - Creative Arts and Digital Animation software now available on the same specialist PCs, increasing the flexibility and access to specialist tools for students in these subjects. Find out what specialist software is available across our LRCs and dedicated PCs ask.herts.ac.uk/software-availability-at-uh#Specialist_software_in_LRCs
- Adobe Creative Cloud at Herts – all students get free access to Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Express—perfect for creating presentations, videos, social media posts, and more. Plus, you’ll have access to exclusive learning activities and events to boost your creative skills. Log in to Adobe Express for free at: express.adobe.com/a/herts.ac.uk.
- £5 print credit added to student accounts at the start of your academic year so you are all set to print, copy or scan your work on any of our LRC printers. And if you need more specialist printing services our Document Services team are always happy to help. Find out more at ask.herts.ac.uk/printing-on-campus.
Forgotten your device? Don’t forget you can borrow a laptop (Chromebook) for 4 or 12 hours to use anywhere on campus. ask.herts.ac.uk/computer-loans-for-herts-students
Find out more about using computers in the LRCs: ask.herts.ac.uk/using-computers-in-the-learning-resources-centres
Finding and using resources
Whether online or print we’re continuously improving the way you can access all the resources available to you:
- Easier access to key books - we’re making it simpler to get hold of the books you need! Wherever possible, core and essential titles from your reading lists will be available in both print and electronic formats—so you can choose what works best for you.
- Check out our reading for pleasure collections in our LRCs or download the free Libby library reading app to browse, borrow and read our collection of digital magazines, ebooks and audio books. Get started today at libbyapp.com/library/uherts.
Plan ahead – don’t forget to use our reservations service to reserve an item and pick up on any campus. Find out more at ask.herts.ac.uk/book-borrowing.
Skill UP!
Looking for extra help to complete your assessments and assignments?
- Pop along to our Study Success Hub in the LRCs and speak to a member of the Library team at our drop-in sessions running from 13:00 – 15:00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 22 September.
- Check out our Library SkillUP Canvas site – it’s packed with helpful resources on topics such as searching, reading, evaluating, referencing and writing to help save you time and get better grades including a dedicated Artificial Intelligence unit to help you use AI tools as part of your library research.
- Not sure where to start? Take a look at our Get Started unit on Library SkillUP or download our new Library Quick Start checklist to help you get started with Library resources and support.
Need help? If you can’t make it to campus to meet with the team in the Study Success Hub you can ..
- Talk to the team on Module Chat - Monday - Friday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Book a 1-1 appointment with a member of the library team. See Ask a Librarian
Find out more at go.herts.ac.uk/libraryskillup
Digital skills development
See our latest resources to help you stay ahead in today’s digital world:
- New student? Use the Get started with Herts Digital Checklist to get to grips with the everyday digital tools that you need at Herts.
- Boost your digital skills – check that you are ready for learning at Herts with Digital Essentials—a great way to check you’ve got the key digital skills you’ll need for your course. You can also join on-campus workshops or explore online resources in the Digital Skills unit of the Herts Academic Skills site to build your confidence and get the most out of your studies.
- Get digital skills support via our Student Technology Mentors in the LRC Study Success Hubs from 14:00 – 17:00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting from Tuesday 23 September.
Need help? Contact the Digital Capabilities team at digital@herts.ac.uk with any questions or feedback.
Find out more on this Digital Skills page on AskHerts.
Staying safe online
All students are required to use multi-factor authentication to protect their Herts user account when logging into University systems.
We recommend using the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone. This is especially important if you are an International Student as the app will work regardless of location, phone signal, or Wi-Fi availability.
See our tips and advice for staying safe online: ask.herts.ac.uk/staying-safe-online-checklist
Plan ahead – make a note of our planned dates for IT maintenance works which are essential for keeping the University's systems safe and secure and don’t forget to visit our Service Status page for latest updates on our systems and services.
Herts in your pocket!
The Herts Mobile app is your one stop shop for University of Hertfordshire information, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Using the app you can:
- Access your virtual ID card
- Find answers to your questions all day, every day with Ask Herts Online
- Get library reminders for book reservations, items due for return, and overdue items.
- Use the Maps feature to find your way around campus and show the location of facilities like water refill stations, lifts, first aid, defibrillators and more.
- Receive notifications for timetable changes, events, and more.
- Find available computers by building, floor, and zone.
- Plan your LRC visit and check how busy it is
Library account coming soon to the Herts app! Soon you’ll be able to check which books you’ve borrowed, when they’re due back, and even see your LCS laptop loans—all in one place, right from the app. Easy, quick, and super handy!
Take a look and download the app today at mobile.herts.ac.uk
Tell us what you think
To send app feedback, go to ‘More’ → ‘Feedback’. To provide feedback on the map, select a location and tap the ‘?’ icon.
You can also leave feedback by emailing the team at mobile@herts.ac.uk
Get help using library and computing services
Support services are continuously being improved to help you when and how you need it:
- We'll have an extra welcome desk set up in our LRCs at the start of term with library staff and Wi-Fi Warriors on hand to answer any questions about Wi-Fi, books, computing, StudyNet, LRCs, and more to help get your term and your studies off to the best start.
- online support– extensive online help and support at ask.herts.ac.uk
- 24/7 telephone support- talk to our helpdesk team at any time on 01707 284678
- status page– keep updated about planned maintenance or any issues with key services such as StudyNet or Wi-Fi at status.herts.ac.uk
And don’t forget to follow our library accounts on TikTok @uniofhertslibrary and Instagram @uniofhertslibrary to keep up to date with the latest library news.
Thanks, and congratulations go to all the library and computing staff who work hard to bring you these services. We hope you like them - and make good use of them!