From Saturday 5 June 2021:
(for essential use only - pre-booking required)
Durham University Library
Stockton Road
DURHAM
DH1 3LY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)191 334 3042
Fax: +44 (0)191 334 2971
Plans to show location of study space numbers
All study spaces must be booked in advance - please visit our Space Bookings system to book a study space.
Keep up to date by following our library social media accounts:
Please return books by posting them into our book return located to the left of the main entrance of Bill Bryson Library.
If you wish to take advantage of this service, we would ask the following of you when you arrive at the Library:
You will be expected to adhere to the social distancing measures we have put in place
Wipe the book return down with the anti-bacterial wipes provided before and after using the book drop
There will be a hand sanitiser dispenser located next to the book return for use before and after you deposit your returns
You must ensure you push your books all the way through the letterbox and that they drop down on the other side
If you are unable to post your books into the book return for any reason, you must not leave books outside the Library – you are still responsible for them and their safe return. Please be aware that any of the items returned via the book drop may remain on your Library record for up to a week.
If you have booked to visit the Library for Browse and Borrow or Stay and Study and wish to return items, you can now use the two self-service returns machines opposite the Help and Information Desk on Level 2. Please visit our Returns guide for more information.
During Epiphany Term, we will also be offering a free postal returns service to all UK-based staff and students, allowing books to be returned to the Library by those who are not able to access Campus in the current situation. Please continue to renew books you are not returning, as automatic renewal reminders will continue to be sent.
Browse and Borrow is available to students and staff currently on campus for essential use only. You can access the Bill Bryson Library for up to an hour to browse the shelves and borrow any books you require.
This booking won’t give access to any study spaces – please see details of our Stay and Study service.
For full details of our Browse and Borrow service, please visit our Browse and Borrow Guide.
For full details of the services and what to expect when visiting the Library, please visit our Services Guide.
To book a timeslot, please visit our Space Booking system
Individual study spaces are available at Bill Bryson Library for students and staff who are currently on campus for essential use only.
Currently, you can book the following study spaces per calendar week (Sunday - Saturday):
one slot per day and up to five slots per week for the Bill Bryson Library study spaces. As of Monday 26 April, you can book an additional five slots per week for late night Stay and Study (Disability Support room bookings are included within this).
For full details of our Stay and Study service and other sites where this service is available, please visit our Study Spaces Guide.
For full details of the services and what to expect when visiting the Library, please visit our Services Guide.
Library users registered with disability support may book one of our dedicated Disability Support study rooms at Bill Bryson Library. For full details, please see our Accessibility and Support Guide.
To book a study space, please visit our Space Booking system
All colleagues, students, visitors, contractors and members of the public are required to wear a face covering inside all University buildings (unless an individual is exempt from wearing one due to a medical condition). This includes when seated at a study desk.
All other safety measures should also continue to be followed, including social distancing measures of 2 metres.
Please review the World Health Organisation’s guidance on the safe use of face coverings.
Visitors are usually very welcome. However, we're sure you will understand that at present we are only able to accommodate University students and staff.
When the Covid-19 situation changes, we will look forward to welcoming back visitors and external users.
The Small Island Café is open and available if you have booked a timeslot to visit the Library for Browse and Borrow or Stay and Study.
The café is currently open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm offering a range of sandwiches, salads, drinks and snacks which you will need to pre-order on a click and collect basis.
Please remember to clean as you go during your time in the building and place all rubbish in the bins provided.
Please see our Accessibility and Support Guide for further information.