Library Blog

Following the latest advice from the Northern Ireland Executive and the Public Health Agency regarding COVID-19, the McClay Library has worked closely with colleagues across the University, to ensure we can safely open our doors again.

Please consult our opening hours before you come.

The safety of everyone is our greatest priority, so we have made some changes to the way we work, and our service will look a little different to usual.

Please take the time to view the video about using The McClay Library before making your initial visit so you are aware of the changes within the building.

When we first open it will be for:

• Queen’s staff and students, HSC members and AFBI staff
• Access to books (self-service borrow and return), study space and some PCs

Social distancing and hygiene measures will be in place including:

• A limited number of people allowed in the building at any one time
• A one-way system
• Cleaning stations with hand sanitiser
• No access to the water fountain
• No laptop loans 
• Book quarantine for 72 hours when returned.

Due to the limited number of seats in the building, you may be required to queue. Please use the hand sanitiser as soon as you enter the Library. Please remember to bring your own water as the water fountain is not available.

A new one-way system has been put into place with separate stairways for entering and leaving the upper floors of the building. Please refer to the floor plans to inform yourself about the one-way system (see below).

We encourage everyone to respect these measures to help reduce the spread of the virus. If you have a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or loss or change in your sense of taste or smell, please stay at home and follow the Public Health Agency guidelines on self-isolation.

Special Collections is also open to staff and all students, by appointment only. Further information can be found here:  https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/InformationServices/TheLibrary/SpecialCollections/

Individuals considered to be at highest risk from COVID-19 who have received letters from their GP or hospital care team advising them to shield can be provided with a scanned chapter from books that we have in the Library. Please contact your Subject Librarian for further advice on this.

If you need advice or assistance with any other Library queries you can talk to us using Library Chat (click on the blue box on the right of the Library homepage).

Did you know that Information Services offered a Marketing and Communications Internship this year? Read on to hear Emily talk about the project and how you might help:

I am absolutely loving my time working for QUB Information Services. I started in mid-June and I have learnt so much already. It wasn’t quite the situation I expected as I am currently working remotely from home in Liverpool due to COVID-19, but I am planning on returning to Belfast soon.

The purpose of the internship is to undertake an action research project as part of my final semester. The project I have chosen is to produce an internal communications plan for staff and students to enhance their knowledge of the current services that the Information Services offer.

I would be really grateful if you could take the time to fill in a quick survey about your understanding of the Information Services at Queen’s to help facilitate my research (Please see link here)

During my first three weeks I have already had Microsoft Teams meetings with all of the Information Services Assistant Directors to introduce myself and gain an insight into their division and upcoming projects. It really is fascinating what goes on behind the scenes in the ICT and Library departments. I have been extremely lucky to be invited to join the monthly social media meeting. I found it so valuable and interesting to see the planning and organisation behind the campaigns.

I cannot thank all of the staff enough for being so helpful and making me feel so welcome and part of the team from day one. I look forward to continuing my Internship and expanding my marketing knowledge further.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. If you have any questions regarding my research, internship or are seeking advice regarding a MSc programme please do not hesitate to get in touch my email is – ebrumskill01@qub.ac.uk

Attention Academic Staff and Postgraduate Students

The Library is pleased to announce that we are introducing a book collection service in the McClay Library for academic staff, research postgraduate students and taught postgraduate students

Requested books will be made available for collection on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the Library reopens on 3^rd August (NB. there will be no collections on Tuesday 14^th July).

Items which can be requested:

• McClay Library items only (we do not currently have access to the Biomedical and Medical Libraries)
• Standard loan items which are not already on loan
• Short loan items which are not already on loan
• DVDs which are not already on loan

Items which cannot be requested:

• Theses
• Special Collections items
• Journals
• Scanned journal articles
• Reference items

Books can be requested by email to mcclay.issue@qub.ac.uk. Please give the following information:

• Author
• Title
• Edition
• Your name
• Staff/student number.

Requested books will be issued to you until September 25^th and you will be informed by email when they are available to collect from the McClay Library Reception.

Collection will only be possible between 12pm and 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Books which have not been collected within the one week will be discharged and returned to the Library shelves.

Please note, only one person at a time will be admitted to the Library to collect books.

Library staff will be using personal protective equipment when handling book stock and packaging them for collection.