Library Services Update 2020-21
Information about Library & University Collections services in response to COVID-19
This page will be kept up to date with information about Library & University Collections facilities and services.
Changes to Library services from 26 April 2021As part of the Scottish Government’s planned route map out of lockdown, it is expected that Edinburgh will move to restriction Level 3 on Monday 26th April. From this date, we expect to be able to reopen all remaining libraries (with the exception of The School of Scottish Studies Archives and Library), remove barriers to print collections and restart self-issue book machines in order to give University library users self-service access to print collections. In addition, from 26th April the Main Library building shall open at 08:00 with access to pre-booked study spaces 08:00-23:59 daily.
While browsing access to Library collections is suspended, we continue to provide access to print collections through our Click & Collect* and Scan & Deliver services. In response to students’ requests about increased access to study spaces throughout the forthcoming revision and exam period, we are making the following changes:
-
From 6th April, 176 study spaces will open at Murchison House, King’s Buildings
-
From 19th April, 57 study spaces will open at the Fire Station, ECA
-
From 26th April, all remaining centrally managed study spaces including all libraries will reopen (with the exception of The School of Scottish Studies Archives & Library)
-
From 26th April, Main Library will open at 08:00 with opening hours 08:00-23:59 daily
When using these study spaces, you must pre-book and you must adhere to 2 metre physical distancing and a face covering worn at all times.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Closing Click & Collect
In line with the easing of Government restrictions, we are able to resume browsing of our Library print collections from 26 April 2021. From 26 April you will be able to browse our collections at the Main Library and site libraries and borrow books through our self-issue systems. Wearing face coverings and 2m social distancing is mandatory in our libraries. We will be closing our Click & Collect service at this time according to the following timetable:
-
Last Click & Collect requests for items at the Law Library, ECA Library and New College Library: 19 April
-
Last Click & Collect requests for items at the Main Library: 22 April
Requests made by these dates can be collected from the Main Library according to existing Click & Collect processes, but these may be subject to change from 26 April.
Library Updates
Closing Click & Collect
In line with the easing of Government restrictions, we are able to resume browsing of our Library print collections from 26 April 2021. From 26 April you will be able to browse our collections at the Main Library and site libraries and borrow books through our self-issue systems. Wearing face coverings and 2m social distancing is mandatory in our libraries. We will be closing our Click & Collect service at this time according to the following timetable:
- Last Click & Collect requests for items at the Law Library, ECA Library and New College Library: 19 April
- Last Click & Collect requests for items at the Main Library: 22 April
Requests made by these dates can be collected from the Main Library according to existing Click & Collect processes, but these may be subject to change from 26 April.
_____________________________________________________________________________
The Click & Collect service is available to all University staff and students from 8 February 2021.
A maximum of 3 items can be requested at any one time.
Full details of how to request and collect items are provided on the Click & Collect page.
_____________________________________________________________________________
From 29 March 2021 University staff and students will be able to place Click & Collect requests for items at the Law Library, as well as for collections at the Main Library, University Collections Facility, ECA and New College Library.
Requests should be placed on DiscoverEd with requested items being made available for collection from the Main Library. New College Library at 40, George Square, ECA Library and the Law Library remain closed.
Full details are provided at the Click & Collect web page.
The Library has launched a Scan & Deliver service.
Staff and students of the University of Edinburgh can request scans of one book chapter or 10% (whichever is the greater) or one journal article via DiscoverEd. We’ll email you a link where you can view and download the scan requested.
Please note:
- Scan & Deliver requests will be placed via DiscoverEd. You will need to log in to DiscoverEd using your UUN in order to see the option to request a scan. Please do not contact EdHelp to make Scan & Deliver requests.
- Some limits apply when using this service - for full details see the Scan and Deliver page.
Until the 25th April 2021:
- The Main Library and CMVM library sites will remain open for access to study spaces.
- Main Library, 10:00- 23:59 (Mon- Sun)
- Lady Smith of Kelvin Veterinary Library, 09:00- 16:50 (Mon- Fri)
- Western General Hospital Library and Royal Infirmary Library, 09:00- 16:50 (Mon- Fri)
- Other library sites are currently closed
From the 26th April, the following libraries shall also open:
- Noreen & Kenneth Murray Library at the King's Buildings
- Law Library at Old College
- Moray House Library at Dalhousie Land
- New College Library at 40 George Square
- ECA Library at Evolution House
- Art & Architecture Library at Minto House
For full details of library site opening please see Library Opening Hours.
For further information about accessing study spaces not in libraries please see the Study Spaces website.
The School of Scottish Studies Archives & Library at 29 George Square will remain closed until further notice.
The Library continues to offer a full range of online library services including:
- Digital library resources via DiscoverEd
- Scan & Deliver service to provide some access to print collections
- Click & Collect service to request items from the Main Library, University Collections Facility (UCF), New College Library, ECA and Law Library collections
- Centre for Research Collections – remote only service
- EdHelp (both in person and online)
- uCreate studio
Until 25th April 2021:
There are fewer study spaces available due to physical distancing measures required in light of Covid-19.
However in response to students' requests about increased access to study spaces throughout the forthcoming revision and exam period, we are making the following changes:
- From 6th April, 176 study spaces will open at Murchison House, Kings Buildings
- From 19th April, 57 study spaces will open at the Fire Station, ECA
- From 26th April, all remaining centrally managed study spaces including all libraries will reopen (with the exception of The School of Scottish Studies Archives and Library)
- From 26th April, Main Library will open at 08:00 with opening hours 08:00-23:59 daily
Study spaces must be booked in advance.
When using these study spaces, you must adhere to 2 meter physical distancing and a face covering worn at all times.
The Scottish Government has made the wearing of face coverings in libraries, reading rooms and study spaces mandatory.
Unless you are exempt, please wear your face covering.
Library cards
Your University student card is also your library card, you will need it to access library buildings and borrow print materials. If you are an on campus student or are visiting campus and have not yet received your student card, please visit a Library Helpdesk in person where library staff will be able to print one for you.
Library Locations webpages for information on library sites
External users
Please note that access to all libraries is currently restricted to University of Edinburgh students, staff, official visitors and NHS Lothian staff. It is not currently possible to join the library or renew memberships under any other category.
For further updates please see the Joining the Library page.
Before you visit please check the opening hours and available services for the library you wish to use.
To support social distancing, The Library has had to change the way print/physical collections are accessed in 2020/21.
- Due to the Scottish Government tier 4 restrictions browsing access and book borrowing of library collections will be suspended.
- A new Scan & Deliver service provides some access to our print collections.
- A new Click & Collect Service is available from 8 February 2021, allowing further access to print items held at the Main Library, University Collections Facility, New College Library, ECA and Law Library.
- All face-to-face services at School of Scottish Studies Archives & Library are closed.
- Access to material held in the University Collections Facility is through the Centre for Research Collections or the Click & Collect service.
University Collections Facility
We have now resumed our request service at the University Collections Facility, providing access to general collection items for University staff and students. Please check our web pages for details of service delivery :
University Collections Facility
Inter-site lending
While processes are reviewed to consider the impact of Covid-19, we are not currently resuming a full inter-site lending service between the different University of Edinburgh libraries. The further resumption of inter-site lending will continue to be assessed and further updates provided.
For more information on availability at specific sites, please use the links below:
Library Locations webpages for information on library sites
Bookable study spaces are available at the Main Library and at other site libraries:
Books from all Library sites can be returned to the Main Library.
Library Locations webpages for information on library sites
Please be aware that due to the quarantine process, returned books might not be removed from your library record for 5 working days.
University of Edinburgh loans
For guidance on borrowing and renewing library items, see:
Borrowing books and other resources
We automatically renew your loans, unless another user has requested them or your account has been blocked.
We will continue to automatically renew your loans for a maximum of:
- 18 months for Reserves, HUB Short Loans, Short Loans and Standard Loans
- 28 days for Laptops.
After this time you will need to bring your loans into the library if you wish to renew them. If you have any difficulty with renewing items please contact EdHelp.
You will receive an email if your loans are needed by someone else. Fines apply if you do not return items when asked, so it is important that you check your University email regularly.
Interlibrary loans
No fines will have accrued on items issued prior to the lockdown period and users will not be fined for the late return of items due to Library closures. For full details please check the ILL page:
The CRC are now operating a limited service, with priority given to University of Edinburgh staff and students. Please read the guidance on the CRC webpages:
Requesting library purchases for teaching and research
To request books, DVDs and other items for the library, University staff should follow the advice and links at:
Student Request a Book (RaB)
The RaB service has resumed and is accepting requests via the form linked below.
Please be aware that it will take much longer than normal to provide new resources whilst there continues to be demand for new online teaching resources for Semester 2.
For more details about the RaB service and how to place a request please see:
Student Request a Book (RaB) information
Interlibrary Loans
In response to the Scottish Government’s revised COVID-19 restrictions starting on January 5th 2021, Interlibrary loans will be offering a digital only service until further notice. Electronic versions of articles and chapters will continue to be sourced where possible but users will not be able to request print materials.
The ILL service is restricted to University of Edinburgh students, staff, official visitors and NHS Lothian staff. Please note that it may take significantly longer to process requests at this time.
No fines will accrue on items over this period and users will not be fined for the late return of items.
Help and support
Frequently Asked Questions about our current library services can be found on the following page. These FAQs are being regularly added to and updated.
Some online content was made freely available by its publishers to support teaching , learning and research during COVID-19. Access to some of this content was already bought by The Library but some may cease to be available when the publishers remove the free access.
Information about temporary access to additional e-books and other e-resources
DiscoverEd tells you what you can access, online and in print or physical copy, because The Library has bought it. It also tells you where you can access it, whether that is a particular building or an online site which may not be the publisher site.
For support with Resource Lists please contact the Library Learning Services team: Library.Learning@ed.ac.uk
Subject guides
For information on finding academic literature, referencing and more for all subjects:
For guidance on preparing for online exams:
Online training
For sessions on using the Library's online resources:
Events @ Edinburgh event booking: Library Bitesize - Using the online Library (University login required)
Online learning pages
For information about how to use online resources, including prerecorded Bitesize sessions:
Using the Library for online learning
Help from Academic Support Librarians
For library-related support for teaching, learning and research, Academic Support Librarians are available for all subject areas. For resources and guidance see:
For library related enquiries, see:
The Library Helpdesk is available via the chat service on DiscoverEd:
University-wide COVID-19 updates
For the latest information and advice from the University of Edinburgh see the University's updates page: