Study space update week beginning 19 April

Elizabeth Andrews
Tuesday 20 April 2021

students in Martyrs socially distant wearing face masks readingStudents working socially distanced in Martyrs Kirk

Updates for this week

  • All postgraduate students can now book study space sessions in the Old Burgh School (this space, which provides 420 sessions each week, was previously available only to postgraduate researchers).
  • Because many students are struggling to make bookings, we are re-introducing a cap on the number of sessions that can be booked each week. Each individual can now book up to 9 sessions in total each week across all study space sites. 
  • The Main Library’s levels 3 and 4 will be opening for bookable study sessions from Monday 26 April.
  • Also from Monday 26 April, evening study sessions will be added 7 days a week for: Main Library (all levels – 5.30pm to 9pm), Martyrs (5pm-8.30pm) and King James/St Mary’s College Library (5pm-8pm).
  • You will now be able to book up to 7 days in advance for each session.

Current space 

All study spaces must be booked in advance. All buildings have enhanced cleaning, and a Covid Saint on site to help. Check the spaces terms of use.  

  • Spaces can be booked in seven buildings (Main Library; Gateway; St Mary’s College & King James Library; JF Allen Library; Old Burgh School; Martyrs Kirk; Arts Building).
  • 3,911 study space sessions available in total this week (3,211 available to all students, 700 postgraduates only).
  • 76% of these booked spaces were used last week (people didn’t turn up for 24% of spaces). 

Current guidance

We look forward to being able to welcome you back to more spaces soon. We miss you and as soon as restrictions are modified and we are able to offer more options in different buildings, we will open these for you.

Scottish Government guidance:

Libraries should operate strictly under the guidance on libraries and study spaces in Level 4. This specifies that browsing is suspended and books and resources will be made available online or via click and collect or home delivery where available. Further strict limits on numbers of people, with essential access for current students and staff only – access to study spaces by appointment only, pre-booked where possible or strict capacity monitoring and access control.

In order to follow this guidance, and be able to offer Click and Collect and the scanning service from the Main Library, we provide bookable study space only in a number of buildings and areas. Drop-in study space is not allowed under the current conditions. Study spaces should only be used where there is an essential need and there is no alternative.

If you have any questions, please contact us, either through instant chat, or email: [email protected].

Image by Gayle McIntyre, © The University of St Andrews.

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