Summer closure of AGLC and Main Library (2025)

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 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 events will take place across buildings on campus over the summer, or take place online, depending on the date of the workshop. Please check the website when booking onto events for up-to-date location details:
  • Training and support

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

Microform access

• Microform services will not be available during the closure period.

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