Visit the LRCs
The University welcomes Herts alumni, members of the public, prospective students, business visitors, researchers, and organised groups of visitors to our LRCs.
Please see our opening hours page for times and service updates.
Children or young people (aged 0 to 17 years old) are not permitted in our Learning Resources Centres, unless accompanied by a suitable adult, such as a parent or guardian, and visit times should be limited to 30 minutes. Please read our LRC visitors information below for more details.
For organised group visits please contact the Helpdesk for further information and to arrange your visit. Telephone: +44 (0)1707 284678 or email helpdesk@herts.ac.uk
Visiting the Learning Resources Centre (LRC)
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Planning your visit to a Learning Resources Centre (LRC)
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.
- our LRCs typically remain open to visitors during University closures and bank holidays, but you should check our opening hours for any changes.
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.
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When you arrive
- 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 belongings with you
- you will need to sign out at the Security desk.
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Visiting with children and young people
- 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
- The supervising adult visitor should be an appropriate adult, such as a parent or guardian.
- unaccompanied children and young people under the age of 18 will not be permitted access to the LRCs.
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Learning Resources Centres visitor facilities
The University has two Learning Resources Centres (LRCs) at its campuses.
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)
- 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
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Wi-Fi for visitors
The Cloud Wi-Fi service is available for visitors to the University. Connect to _The Cloud and follow the on-device instructions.
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.
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SCONUL (Society of College, National and University Libraries)
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.
If you are a full time undergraduate at another institution you are not eligible for SCONUL access membership at Herts, but you may still visit the LRCs as a walk-in visitor.
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Help and support
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.
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Right of access to our LRCs
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 during busy times to prioritise access for Herts 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.
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Complaint procedure
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 and Digital 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
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Data protection
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.
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Safeguarding
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 vulnerable adults 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.
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.
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School visits
School visits with a session led by a University of Hertfordshire Librarian
Our Academic Engagement team welcomes student groups for facilitated visits to the Learning Resources Centres. These visits are ideal to introduce students to a University Library setting, gain valuable information literacy skills, and can be used to support students working towards an EPQ.
Please note that we have limited availability for these sessions, and we are currently only able to offer facilitated sessions to those schools identified as a priority by our Widening Access and Student Success team.
For secondary schools:
- Introduction to the Learning Resources Centre
- Using library catalogues and Open Access routes to find academic resources (incl. Public Library)
- Developing skills to evaluate sources and develop academic integrity, including the principles of referencing
- Academic reading tips
- Understanding the research process to help define your research question
Availability:
- Sessions are available in March, November and December, for two hours, for year 12 and 13 students. Groups can remain in the LRC after the session, but students must be always accompanied by an adult
- Maximum of 15 students per visit, with at least 2 adults from school
- Students will either need to bring their own devices and connect to UHWiFi via The Cloud, or can be temporarily logged on as a guest to an LRC computer
- Please note that due to licensing conditions, visiting students are not able to access our eBooks, and eJournals. Visiting students will be able to browse the physical book stock, but this will often not be reflective of the current material that is available. Students will be directed towards online resources that allow access to visitors, and to Open Access resources that can be used after their visit
To discuss a visit for your school please contact wideningaccess@herts.ac.uk
Read more about Widening Access at Herts.
All other School visits
Library and Computing Services welcomes the opportunity for groups to experience our fantastic facilities.
Please give as much notice as possible and note that group visits and the delivery of activities is subject to staff availability, prioritisation of the LRCs for UH students at specific times of year, and any LRC maintenance works.
When requesting, please outline the nature of your request and what support if any is required and LCS colleagues will be happy to discuss this with you.
If you would like to visit one of our Learning Resources Centres with your School, please contact Library and Computing Services at helpdesk@herts.ac.uk
In your request, please state:
- Purpose of visit
- Estimated group size
- Any activities you would like delivered by our Academic Engagement Team (please note that this must be by prior arrangement and priority will be given to specific schools / activities)
- Date required for the visit if known and visit length
- Do you require a space to be reserved?
- Do you plan to focus on a particular LRC service or collection?
- Organiser contact details
- If visitors are under the age of 18, please confirm that they will be supervised by a suitable number of adults throughout, who will be responsible for safeguarding and safety during the visit
AccessAble Guide
Visiting the Learning Resources Centre (LRC) with children or young people
We do understand that for some LRC users it may be necessary to occasionally bring a child with you when accessing LRC services - as such, we do permit young people under the age of 18 to come into the LRC with the following conditions.
- Visits with younger children should be limited to approximately 30 minutes
- To ensure a safe and secure environment all children must be supervised by their parent or appropriate adult at all times when inside LRC. i.e. the child should remain at the adult’s side throughout the visit
- Children are not permitted to use any library equipment, including computing equipment, or to use any device on the University wireless network
- The supervising adult must sign in with the child or young person on entry at the LRC Security desk and sign out when exiting
- By signing in, the supervising adult accepts sole responsibility for the child, including their behaviour, safety, and observation of relevant regulations
- Security and LRC staff reserve the right to refuse access or to ask adults with children to leave if their presence raises concerns for welfare or disturbs other LRC users
- A ‘child or young person’ includes all persons aged 0-17 inclusive.
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Visiting hours with children
Children/ young people visiting with a current member of staff, student or SCONUL access member are permitted into the LRC for short periods (about 30 mins) 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.
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Right of access to our LRCs for adults with children and young people
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.
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.
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Health and safety of children and young people in our LRCs
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 (for emergency or in case child becomes separated from adult)
- reason for visit
- number and ages of children
- time in
- time out
- children should 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. Please use the toilet facilities 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