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Information for teachers and students at local schools: Visiting the Library

Guidance on access to resources held by the University Library for teachers and students at local schools

School visits

We can accommodate school visits only outside University revision and examination periods. Please apply with as much notice as possible, to allow time for necessary arrangements to be made.

 

Visits to the Library are often coordinated with a wider University visit to a specific University school or department. In these instances, the first point of contact is the departmental contact for schools liaison – you can obtain their details from Student Recruitment and Outreach.

 

If you are organising a visit with the sole purpose of using the Library, please contact our Schools Liaison Representative to discuss your needs. Parking must be prearranged and teachers' cars will require a parking permit. Please consider using alternative modes of transport when visiting the University.

What you can expect from a visit

Study skills Presentation

Including information on how to find resources in the Library, evaluating resources and referencing.

 

Tour of the Library

Pointing out key areas of interest and helping students find useful resources.

 

Time for study

Use of a training room and our printed books and journals for the rest of the visit.

Making the most of your visit

Before your visit search our Enterprise catalogue to ensure our print stock covers the relevant subjects your students are researching


 

You can also find out about relevant resources and systems we have from the appropriate Subject guide (but note that only print resources will be available to school students).

What access will your students have after a visit?

Please see our Visiting the Library webpage for our policy on visits by members of the public.

Please see the Library website for current opening hours.

What we expect

As a teacher, you must accompany your pupils throughout a visit and remain responsible for your them, and their actions. Where University of Reading lecturers are involved in a visit, we also ask them to be present and to assist pupils.

We admit school pupils on the understanding that our Code of Conduct will be followed. In particular, your attention is drawn to the following:

  • no eating in the Library, only drinks in lidded containers are allowed;
  • there is a café at the entrance to the Library where you can obtain refreshments, although school visits cannot be accommodated for lunch in this facility;
  • mobile phones must be in silent mode or turned off;
  • everyone should work quietly, so that they do not disturb other users