The summer vacation period officially started this week! And while many of you are probably thinking the last thing you want to do is use the Library over the summer break, there will be a large number of students who will need to (or just want to) use the Library during the summer vacation period to continue with their studies or research.

So if you are one of the many who is planning on using Library facilities or services over the summer then read on. And for those of you who are not planning on doing this, we’d recommend you read on anyway (particularly if you have not returned books you have borrowed from the Library).

1) The Main Library and all our site libraries remain open throughout the summer vacation period.

Opening hours and staffed hours will be reduced in many libraries so check the opening hours website before you visit and follow the Library on social media for any updates – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook.

The Main Library will continue to be open 24/7 throughout the summer but EdHelp staffed hours will reduce as of Friday 9 June 2023.

The Library can be contacted as normal through the summer: Library Help.

2) The loan period for books* remain the same over the summer.
*Or other items you have borrowed from the Library.

So remember:

• Short or Standard Loan items can still be requested from you at any time by other library users.
  If you’re borrowing from the Library over the summer and will not be in Edinburgh, you must ensure you can return items on time if they are requested from you.
• Fines still apply – you will still be liable for fines if you do not return your items on time.
• Automatic renewals still apply for Short and Standard Loan items, unless the item has been requested from you or you have a block on your record.

You can check what items you have on loan and when they are due in My Account on DiscoverEd. You must be signed in to DiscoverEd to see this information.
Remember fines can be paid online: Payment of Fines.
Contact EdHelp if you have any queries.

3) You may not be in Edinburgh, or in one of our libraries, but you can still access the Library’s extensive online resources.

The Library gives you access to over 2.2 million e-books, 206,000 e-journals, over 900 databases and over 114,000 streaming videos. These can be accessed as normal via DiscoverEd and your Subject Guides, normally just with your University of Edinburgh username and password.

A small number of these online resources may require you to use the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to get access to them off-campus. Follow the instructions on the VPN website to set this up, for any queries on the VPN please contact EdHelp.

If the Library only holds the book or journal you wish to access as a physical copy and not online, then you can use the Scan & Deliver service to request a digitised single chapter from book or single journal article from journal to be sent to you. Requests are placed via DiscoverEd. See the Scan & Deliver website for full guidance.

4) Away from Edinburgh for the summer but still need to do some study or research?

The SCONUL Access scheme gives students and staff from member universities the opportunity to get access to other member university libraries. So if you are going to be based near another university in the UK and Ireland you may be able to access their library via the SCONUL Access scheme.

Registration with SCONUL Access is done online via their website: http://www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access.

For any queries on this please contact EdHelp or speak to a member of staff at a Library EdHelp desk.

5) Graduating from the University this summer?

Graduates of the University of Edinburgh can join the Library as an external borrower for free, membership lasts for 3 years.

For more information on what you need to do to register see Joining the Library: Graduates of the University of Edinburgh.

Graduates of the University can also get access to a small selection of e-resources the Library subscribes. The Alumni A-Z list shows you what is available and provides links for access.

Whatever you may be doing, have a fantastic summer!