Visit the LRCs

Opening times for visitors

Visitors are permitted in both LRCs from 08:00 to 22:00 Monday to Sunday.

• opening times may change at short notice for operational reasons
• check our website for the latest opening hours before travelling
• there is no need to pre book your visit.

Please bring with you:

• photo ID such as passport, driving license or other photo ID
• we may ask for proof of age.

Check which LRC you need to visit.

• you may wish to check the University library catalogue to see whether specific books are held in the College Lane or the de Havilland Campus LRC.

Car parking and travel

See parking at the University for information on  visitor parking.

The University is serviced by multiple bus routes: find out more on the Uno bus website

Bike racks are available near the LRCs.

• please go to the LRC Security Desk who will sign you in and ask to see your photo ID
• by signing in you agree to abide by University Regulations (UPRs) and the LRC User Standards and Behaviours guide
• to help you make the most of your visit go to an Information Point to look up further information online about our services and to check Library Search for the specific shelf location of any books you wish to consult.

Before you leave

• make sure you take all your belonging with you
• you will need to sign out at the Security desk.

• our LRCs are primarily for students and staff and are not designed with children in mind
• we recognise however that at times it may be necessary to bring a child or children with you in order to access our services and this is permitted in accordance with the guidance we have set out
• please read our additional guidance below for visiting the LRCs with a child or young person
• children or young people visiting the LRC with an adult visitor must be supervised at all times and visits limited to approximately 30 minutes
• unaccompanied children and young people under the age of 18 will not be permitted access to the LRCs.

The University has two Learning Resources Centres (LRCs) at its campuses.

• College Lane Campus LRC
• de Havilland Campus LRC

Find out more about campus locations and directions

We offer visitors the following facilities:

• reference use of our collection of printed books
• access to open area study spaces (visitors are not permitted to use group study or meeting rooms)
• Information Points with online access to the University library catalogue (Library Search) and information about other University services
• power sockets
• café available at College Lane LRC (Monday to Friday 11:00 – 16:00 during term time) and vending machines.

LRC visitors will not be able to:

• log onto University Computers to access software or digital resources
• use the multi-function printing devices
• borrow books or laptops
• use the group study rooms
• use the LRCs for commercial activities.

Need to do some printing? Our Document Services Team are available to carry out work for the general public. Find out more about printing

The Cloud Wi-Fi service is available for visitors to the University. Connect to _The Cloud and follow the on-device instructions.

eduroam Wi-Fi access

If you are a current student or member of staff at a UK or European institution using eduroam, then you can use your normal institutional eduroam login at the University of Hertfordshire (UH). This enables you to access the online resources and services available to you through your home institution. Follow the eduroam set-up instructions provided by your home institution and ensure that your own home site setting is correctly set up and working before you arrive at UH.

The University is a member of the SCONUL Access Scheme. Staff and students who are currently studying at other member institutions are welcome to use library facilities and services at UH in accordance with the agreed Scheme arrangements.

SCONUL students in bands A, B or C are welcome to apply for membership which will enable you to access the LRC 24/7 and have borrowing rights.

Find out how to apply

If you are a full time undergraduate at another institution you are unlikely to be eligible for library membership, but you may still visit the LRCs as a walk-in visitor.

For your own welling and safety and that of other LRC users and staff members please observe the following:

• follow all safety signage, fire alarms, and instruction from Security / LRC staff
• please do not visit the LRC if you feel unwell or are in the contagious stage of a virus
• if you become unwell during your visit and need assistance, please make yourself known to Security or a member of staff. Security staff are available 24/7 and are first aid trained
• in case of emergency contact staff at the LRC Security desk or call 01707 285555
• you must not damage or interfere with any electrical equipment or wiring
• do not overload power sockets, use defective equipment or non-standard UK plugs
• power sockets should only be used for charging laptops, tablets, and mobile phones
• please take care when accessing the book stock and use the step stools available if required
• please report any spillages, damage or other issues to Library Staff or Security so that the issue can be dealt with swiftly
• smoking and the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) is prohibited in all University buildings and within 10 metres of any building
• alcohol is not permitted in the LRCs at any time
• do not leave your personal items unattended
• please report any accident, incident or near-miss to Security staff.

Personal safety

• if you experience any behaviours that you are uncomfortable with, please speak to Security staff
• we have regular security patrols across campus 24/7.

LRC and Security staff are available to ensure that all LRC users have a safe and productive time in the LRC.

Our LRC Welcome desks are typically open Monday to Friday 11:00 – 17:00 during term time.

We have 24/7 Helpdesk support: Call +44 (0)1707 284678 or email: helpdesk@herts.ac.uk, or pick up a phone at one of the information points.

You can also find the answer to many questions about our services and other information on our AskHerts website.

Visitor access to our LRCs, study spaces and physical book stock is a privilege and not a right.

At times we may need to restrict access in the interests of health and safety or to preserve access to available facilities for our current students.

Library staff and Security reserve the right to refuse access or ask visitors to leave if they are unable or unwilling to abide by our University Regulations or LRC standards and behaviours guidelines.

We hope this will not happen, but any complaint regarding University learning resources and services should be made by email to lcscomplaints@herts.ac.uk.

Please include your name and contact details so that we may reply.

You can also contact us by writing to the Chief Information Officer, Library and Computing Services, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9AB.

We also welcome your compliments and feedback by email to lcssbuoffice@herts.ac.uk

Personal information provided by visitors when signing into the LRCs will be retained securely and only for the minimum amount of time necessary to fulfil our obligations for the health and safety for all LRC users.

Anonymised data will be collated to monitor visitor access to our LRCs and to inform any future services changes.

It is important to note that the University is not subject to legal safeguarding duties regarding children and adults at risk in the same way that schools, further education colleges, local authorities, and care providers are.

However, the University is committed to providing a safe environment in which children and adults at risk can live, learn and develop within the context of a university environment and in relation to University-led activities.

For more details, please refer our University Safeguarding policy (PDF - 0.2 Mb)

As such, staff and security may take appropriate action according to our safeguarding policies in order to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults when using our LRCs.

Children/ young people visiting with a current member of staff, student or SCONUL access member are permitted into the LRC during the full range of opening hours, however for the sake of the child/young person this should be limited to ‘reasonable’ hours as far as possible.

Child/young people visiting with an external visitor, including Alumni are restricted to the normal LRC visitor hours.

We recognise that our staff and students have a diverse range of family and childcare arrangements.

An appropriate supervising adult does not need to demonstrate legal responsibility for the child or young person but should be a fit and proper person for supervising them.

Security may refuse entry if they have reasonable belief that the supervision relationship is inappropriate (for example, an 18-year-old ‘supervising’ an unrelated 17-year-old).

Access to the LRCs for non-University members is a privilege and not a right and we reserve the right to amend or remove supervised access for children and young people to visit the LRCs in order to protect the interests of all LRCs users, staff and the children / young persons themselves.

Security may refuse access where the number of children / young people being brought in is inappropriate. For example, if it would be impossible to adequately supervise the number of children, or it is effectively a group visit.

Supervised group visits (for example by Schools) are permitted and must be arranged in advance.  Contact our Helpdesk for more information. Telephone: +44 (0)1707 284678 or email helpdesk@herts.ac.uk

Appropriate user behaviour in the LRCS

Supervising adults must abide by University UPRs and LRC Standards and Behaviours guidance, which also apply to the child / young person.

Safeguarding children and young people

All LRC users entering the LRC with a child/young person must sign in and out at the security gate. Details to be collected include:

• staff and Students must provide their ID number
• external visitors must provide photo ID
• mobile phone number (in case child becomes separated from adult)
• emergency contact details (in case the adult becomes unwell)
• reason for visit
• number and ages of children
• time in
• time out
• any child/young person must be supervised if using the toilets and are recommended to use the gender neutral or disabled facilities if needed.
• security staff are available to deal with concerns and support LRC users 24/7.

Risk assessment

• the LRCs are primarily for University Students and staff and are not designed with children in mind
• a risk assessment is in place to identify and mitigate the hazards presented when children and young people visit the LRCs with a supervising adult.

Books, computer equipment, and furniture

• children / young people are not permitted to access or browse the book stock while in the LRC. Some items will be age-inappropriate and graphic in nature.  The books are also heavy and could cause injury if dropped or pulled off shelves
• children / young people are not permitted to use or interfere with any wiring or cables, electrical or computer equipment
• children must not be allowed to climb or play on furniture
• damage must be reported as soon as possible so that the area can be made safe
• LRC staff and security reserve the right to refuse entry or ask LRC users to leave
• we reserve the right to charge users for the replacement or repair costs for damaged books, furniture or equipment.

First aid and emergency

• in case of emergency please contact Security in the first instance
• you can also telephone Security on 01707 285555
• 999 calls should be made via Security who can direct emergency services to the correct location.
• security staff are first aid trained and available 24/7
• any child/young person who is unwell should not visit the LRCs
• any child/young person who becomes unwell should be taken home unless more urgent medical attention is required
• each LRC has a designated first aid room that may be used. You must speak to Security first
• any contamination (blood, vomit, faeces, etc) must be reported to Security or a member of staff so that it can be isolated and cleaned as soon as possible.

Baby changing

The LRCs do not have baby changing facilities.

• any child/person needing to change a nappy or other similar items must use a toilet facility and ensure that all items are disposed of correctly and the area left clean.  Any spills must be reported to security or LRC staff.

Breastfeeding

• if you need to feed your child during your visit, you may request to use the first aid room if it is available. Please speak to LRC Security staff