Learning and Teaching: Supporting you through 2020-2021: Uni Study Spaces

Study Spaces at Suffolk

Latest Update

8 January 2021

The Government guidance allows for the University to continue to provide access to the library, on an essential access only basis, for resources and study spaces. This is for those students on courses that are able to return to campus and for those students whose accommodation does not give suitable space for studying.

With the exception of students studying on courses allowed on campus, government guidance identifies that no other students should be on campus unless they have a compelling reason to do so. This includes the following:

Students without access to appropriate study spaces or facilities in their vacation accommodation
Those requiring additional support, including those with mental health issues
Students on placements where the placement provider has Covid-secure measures in place, is permitted to open based on the relevant local restrictions and is content for placements to continue.

All students (commuter or in halls/private accommodation) for the practical subjects listed who will be arriving on campus from the 4th January or who need to access the campus under one of the other criteria are required to take two tests within a three-day testing window. Students should minimise social contact until two negative test results have been confirmed. In addition, students who have stayed on campus over the winter break and have had social contact with others within the previous 10 days should also be tested. Any student who chooses not to access the testing will need to self-isolate for 10 days before accessing the campus.

During semester 1 of the the 2020-2021 academic year, study spaces within the Library will be for individual use only. There are no group study spaces available to help us manage social distancing, capacity, and circulation within the Library.

The Library is pleased to be able to offer a COVID Secure process for using a limited number of Library study spaces between 10.00am - 4.00pm and 4.00 to 9.00pm, Monday to Friday. We are offering study spaces 10.00am - 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday.

Face Coverings

Following updates to Government legislation, all visitors to the Library study spaces will be required to wear a face-covering for the entirety of their visit Library unless they hold a medical exemption. Government Guidance

Circulation Routes

Like the majority of the campus, the Library Building is using one-way circulation routes. Please do following the signage in the building, the main stairwell is for up travel only, you must leave the Library from a different stairwell, as indicated by the one-way signs. To understand navigating the COVID Secure campus, please watch the video below:

Staying COVID Secure On-Campus from University of Suffolk on Vimeo.

Below is the process that you must follow to be able to reserve and collect books.

To ensure we are COVID Secure:

The safety of our library community is paramount and is at the heart of our recovery roadmap.

Limited study spaces all with 2-metre distancing.
Study spaces are numbered and you are required to use the space you book.
Each individual booking a space will need to nook their own space. We can not accept multiple bookings form one person for multiple desks at the same time.
Our library staff are working in small team bubbles to ensure minimal contact.
Contact details and health questions are requested as part of the appointment booking process to allow the University to assist in any required track and trace process.
All visitors to the Library study spaces will be required to wear a face-covering for the entirety of their time in the Library unless they hold a medical exemption.

Process (using the menus on the left to view spaces, desks and booking forms)

Decide the type of space you would like to book for the day you want:
1. a table with power in the group space
2. a Windows or iMac computer in the group space
3. a Windows or iMac computer in the quiet space
4. a table with power in the group study space
Complete the booking form.
Await the email confirmation that your space is booked. Please be aware that bookings can only be processed within Library opening hours, and this may cause some delay in receiving your confirmation.
Come to the Library, through the main doors and turnstiles (You must bring your Student ID or another form of identification).
Show your ID to the Library staff.
Make your way directly to your booked study space.
Library staff will be available to offer support within the library.

Requirements

Bring your Student ID or another form of identification
All visitors to the Library study spaces will be required to wear a face covering for the entirety of their time in the Library unless they hold a medical exemption.
Only use the study space you have booked.
You can not study in groups at one table.
There is no browsing of the book stacks.
The loan laptops are not available.
Regularly wash your hands or use the available hand sanitiser when moving around the library.
Follow social distancing measures of maintaining 2 metres distance between yourself and other library users.