Extension of library opening hours

An extension of Summer Vacation opening hours has been agreed for this year, allowing the Library to remain open until 10pm Mondays - Thursdays. For Summer 2002, this will be for reference use only after 5 pm. This is a pilot project to evaluate usage.

This pilot study is aimed at all students, in particular postgraduate and part-timestudents, who require more flexible opening hours. It is hoped that the pilot will be enhanced from January 2003, to extend availability of most library services throughout library opening hours, during both term-time and vacation periods.

From Summer 2002 the Library is also implementing a "second tier" Short Loan system, whereby one copy of every in-demand text in the collection will be bookable for a three hour slot. Part-time students will be able to access the Catalogue in the Library or from home several days ahead of their visit, and book a three hour slot to consult the text at a time convenient to themselves.

Students will also be able to self-renew books on up to four consecutive occasions, if the books are not required by another user. From 2nd July 2002, the Library will also accept requests for renewals over the telephone. Additional information on the services available to part-time students can be found in the printed Library Guide, Part-time students, which is also to be found at http://libweb.lancs.ac.uk/g31.htm

The changeover of Library system will take place on 1st July 2002. Regrettably this will require a "reference only" day to enable all transactions to be loaded securely. Access to the catalogue and availability status will not be affected, but the Library staff apologise for any inconvenience this will cause. The new system is expected to be fully operational on Tuesday 2nd July 2002.