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Meteorology Library: Using the Library

A guide to facilities and services offered by the Meteorology Library in the Meteorology Department.

When is the library open?

8am – 6pm on weekdays throughout the year - and at all other times for those who have access to the Meteorology building. 

Catherine Turner, the librarian, is usually available in the library, Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30-1.30. You can contact Catherine at: met-librarian@reading.ac.uk or 0118 378 7984.

 

How do I join?

All members of the Meteorology Department, and those from other departments studying or teaching a Meteorology module, are welcome to use the library. New students will attend an induction session and new staff can arrange an induction with the Librarian before borrowing. 

Borrowing and Returning

It is your responsibility to scan items out and to return them on time. If you are unable to scan an item out, it must be signed out in the book on the issue desk. We use a self service system which relies on trust . Failure to comply is regarded by the Department as theft. You are welcome to ask the Librarian for help or you can follow the instructions above the issue desk outside the library office

Most items can be borrowed for a standard loan period of: 6 weeks. Books marked with a red reference sticker must not be removed from the library. To renew an item, please sign it out again. You should return a renewed item if it is requested by another borrower (the Librarian will contact you by email).

What does the library stock?

1750 books on meteorology and related subjects from undergraduate to research level including:

  • recommended course text books
  • some print journal subscriptions plus many reports and newsletters from meteorological organisations worldwide
  • the Department’s 640 MSc dissertations, 300 PhD and MPhil theses
  • print and digitised copies of the JCMM reports
  • preprints of publications by our academic and research staff
  • the Spiers and Sutcliffe Special Collections
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What else is in the Library?

The quiet study area comprises individual and larger desks for quiet study and four networked computers for PC access. There is a wireless connection for lap tops. Notice boards display information from Careers Service, Counselling, Study Advisors and University Library. 

The group study area has a group study table and a SMART board that can be used to practise presentations or as a study aid for group work.  

Donations

Donations are accepted on the understanding that they become the property of the Meteorology Library and that we are not obliged to keep material which turns out to be unsuitable on examination. We regret we are unable to return items that are not suitable for addition to our collections - we will offer them to members of the department or donate to Book Harvest who make a contribution to Book Aid International for every book sold.