Summer closure of AGLC and Main Library (2025)

Estates and Facilities are leading on two key refurbishments in the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons (AGLC) and Main Library over the Summer. These works require each building to be closed for some time.

During these closures, please use alternative study spaces available. Check out the Library locations page to see what Library sites you can use and their opening hours:

Locations

How will these closures affect Library Services?

To find out more about how you can still access study spaces and alternative provisions of Main Library services, please see below.

Accessing and returning books

Borrowing books and Order a Book service

A Click-and-Collect service will be available via Library Search. All you need to do is click on the request button on the item you need. You need to be logged into your library account to see this option. Our Library Customer Services team will retrieve your book and issue it to your library account. Once your book is available, you will receive an email to collect your book from Main Library. You can enter Main Library via the side doors in the main entrance and a member of Library staff will help you retrieve your book/s.
- Click-and-Collect will be available 8am-7.45pm Monday to Friday, and 9am-4.45pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Self-service book issues are not available at this time.
Reference only account holders: Please note that Library users with reference only accounts will not be able to use this service. If you hold a reference only account, please contact us via Library Help if you would like to consult an item. Reference only materials will be made available to read in the Art and Archaeology Library.
Accessing print journals and reference only materials: Please contact us via Library Help if you would like to consult an item. Reference only materials will be made available to read in the Art and Archaeology Library.

Returning books

Books can be returned to Main Library:
- Monday to Friday: 8am to 8pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 5pm
Access will be via the side doors at the main entrance as the revolving door will not be in use.

Inter-Library Loan (ILL) books

Our ILL service will continue to run while Main Library is closed. From Monday, 30 June 2025, collection of any ILL books and viewing of ILL reference material will be from the Art and Archaeology Library, Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
ILL books can be returned either to the Art and Archaeology Library or to Main Library.

Study spaces

Individual study spaces

Study spaces in AGLC will be unavailable from Tuesday, 17 June to Friday, 27 June 2025. Please use spaces at Main Library and other Library sites during this time.
Study spaces in Main Library will be unavailable from Monday, 30 June 2025 until the beginning of the academic year. Please use the spaces in AGLC and other Library sites during this time.
For Library members, please note:
- During July, all University of Manchester Library cardholders can access the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons. Cardholders include SCONUL members, Schools and Colleges members and Community members.
- During August until the start of the academic year, there will be no access to AGLC for Community and Schools and Colleges cardholders.
- Library members have no access to other Library sites.

PC clusters and printers

University of Manchester students and staff can use PC clusters and printers in AGLC while Main Library is closed.
Quick-access PCs and external users PCs will not be available while Main Library is closed.

Group Study Rooms

Group Study Rooms (AGLC) will be unavailable from Tuesday, 17 June to Friday, 27 June 2025. Please use the rooms at Main Library during this time.
Group Study Rooms (Main Library) will be unavailable from Monday, 30 June until the beginning of the academic year. Please use the rooms in AGLC during this time.
You can book Group Study Rooms via ResourceBooker.
Please note that individual bookable spaces in Muriel Stott will not be available over the summer.

Main Library audio-visual collections room (Red 2.5)

This room will be unavailable whilst Main Library is closed.

Accessing Main Library and AGLC spaces for Library Members

During July, all University of Manchester Library cardholders can access the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons. Cardholders include Alumni members, SCONUL members, Schools and Colleges members and Community members.
During August until the start of the academic year, there will be no Library access for Community and Schools and Colleges cardholders.
Library members have no access to study spaces in other Library sites.

Main Library services

Membership applications

We will not be able to accept any new applications for Library membership while the Main Library is closed. If you would like to renew your current membership, please contact us.

Student ID replacement cards

Replacement student ID cards can be printed at Student Hubs.

Student laptop loans

Laptops will not be available from AGLC and Main Library from Tuesday, 17 June to Friday, 27 June 2025.
Laptops will not be available from Main Library from Monday, 9 June 2025 until the beginning of the academic year. Please use this service from AGLC during this time.

Immigration Team

The Immigration Team will be based at AGLC from Monday, 30 June 2025 until the beginning of the academic year.

Visa check-in

This service will be based on the first floor of AGLC from Monday, 30 June 2025 until the beginning of the academic year.

Cafe access

The Library Lounge will be closed from Monday, 9 June 2025 to the beginning of the academic year 2025/26
AGLC Cafe will be closed from Tuesday, 17 June to Friday, 27 June 2025, reopening on Saturday, 28 June 2025
Please use alternative cafe sites or food establishments on campus.

Accessing the Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS) rooms

Accessing the Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS) rooms in Main Library and AGLC

Main Library

From Monday, 9 June to Friday, 27 June 2025, the Main Library DASS room will not be available. Instead, DASS room facilities will be available in the Main Library Living Room.
No booking required. Please note that this space might be noisier than usual.

AGLC

The AGLC DASS Room will not be available from Tuesday, 17 June to Friday, 27 June 2025. Please use facilities in Main Library.
From Saturday, 28 June until the beginning of the academic year, DASS room facilities will be available on the Lower Ground Floor of the AGLC.

Training and support

Library Training and Support: Workshops and drop-ins for Students

These sessions will be held at either Main Library or AGLC, or take place online, depending on the date of the workshop. Please check the website for the location.

Royal Literary Fund Fellow (Academic writing support)

To book an appointment with the Royal Literary Fund Fellow for support with your academic writing please email Livi Michael. The location and time of your appointment will be confirmed upon booking.

Digital Support for students

In-person support

AGLC support will not be available from Tuesday, 17 June to Friday, 27 June. Please use the service at Main Library during this time.
Main Library support will not be available from Saturday, 28 June until the beginning of the academic year. Please use this service from AGLC during this time.

Online support

You can contact the Library Digital Support team via Library Chat.

Research

SafePod Booking

This service will not be available from Monday, 30 June 2025 until the beginning of the academic year. Other options are available on the SafePod website.

Using Special Collections at Main Library

The Special Collections Reading Room at Main Library will be closed from Monday, 30 June 2025 until the beginning of the academic year. We will be offering a limited service for accessing Main Library Special Collections at The John Rylands Library on Deansgate.
To request material please complete a booking request form. If you have any trouble with this form, please email the Reader Services team at: special-collections@manchester.ac.uk

AGLC summer closure

AGLC including the café will be closed to all staff and students from Tuesday, 17 June until Friday, 27 June 2025. Estates and Facilities will be installing replacement entrance gates to improve accessibility (all gates will now be wider to comply with an accessible width) and modernise their designs.

The building and cafe will re-open on Saturday, 28 June 2025. Please note that from 28 June to Sunday, 14 September 2025, AGLC will be open until midnight. 24-hour opening will commence from 8am on Monday, 15 September 2025.

Main Library refurbishment and summer closure

Refurbishments will be taking place in Main Library from Monday, 9 June 2025 to upgrade the toilets (see below).

Main Library will be closing over the summer beginning from Monday, 30 June 2025 until the beginning of the academic year 2025/26. During the closure, only Library staff are allowed into the building.

The changes will focus on:

Toilets refurbishment in Blue stairwell (from Basement to Blue 4)

Toilets in Blue Basement (staff only), Blue 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be refurbished and in some areas extended to include all gender and additional accessible toilet provision.
Due to works to upgrade and extend our toilet provision in Main Library, please note that from Monday, 9 June 2025 there will be a reduced number of toilets and some noise disruption. Diversions will be in place for access to all available toilets. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Library Lounge refurbishment

This popular space will have increased seating capacity, softer seating, acoustic baffles and wall panelling to create a more relaxed, quieter environment. Estates and Facilities will also install additional power sockets for charging laptops and phones.

During this time, the Muriel Stott redevelopment will also be taking place. The new space will focus on promoting wellbeing and will include 36 new study spaces and a redesigned outdoor courtyard to offer another workspace option for staff and students.