Main Library to open 24/7
The University's Main Library is to open 24/7 from 20 March.
The new opening times will provide students with a staffed, secure and accessible environment for individual study, or to host group study sessions.
Three levels of the Library will remain open to students all night - the lower ground, ground and first floors.
At midnight, students working on the other floors will be invited to move to lower levels. The upper floors will re-open each day at 7.30am.
Supporting study needs
The University's Director of Estates Gary Jebb said the extended hours would offer students greater choice to support their differing study needs.
The move has been welcomed by the President of Edinburgh University Students’ Association, Alec Edgecliffe-Johnson.
Chief Information Officer and Librarian Gavin McLachlan said the University was very happy to respond to student requests for extended hours.
New arrangements
As part of the new arrangements, the large computer lab in the basement of the Hugh Robson Building, George Square, along with the computing lab in High School Yards - which are currently open round the clock - will close at 10pm and re-open at 7.30am.
At that time, students will be asked to move to the Main Library. The building will be fully staffed with teams trained in first aid and disabled evacuation, offering a much safer and pleasant option for students.
It is intended that the Hugh Robson computer lab will be open during peak times of the year such as exams.
The student experience is at the heart of all that we do and we have worked closely with Edinburgh University Students’ Association and the Library to find out what our students want and how we can enhance their experience.
We've campaigned for this for over a year, and worked alongside the University to make it happen. It is a tremendous development for the student body and we’re delighted that it will begin before the May exam diet.
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