Library Assist: Answers

A basic Library Service will be available during the times when our Libraries are open during the Christmas holidays (see associated FAQ for opening hours)

You will be able to:

• borrow* and return books using the self-issue machines [ *the book room in Hutchison Library, Telford, will not be open]
• use student PCs, including short loan laptops from the self-service lockers
• use a variety of study spaces, including the quiet and silent zones
• access online resources, including LibrarySearch and the Subject Databases (barring any unexpected interruptions)
• access our online chat service which will be staffed 24/7 by international librarians, even on Christmas Day itself. Any chat questions that need to be referred to Library staff for an answer will be handled as soon as we are able, but please note that this may not be until normal services resume on Monday 5th January 2026.

You will not be able to:

• borrow long loan (30 day) laptops 
• The Skills for Learning service will be closed for the holidays from Wednesday, 24th December until Monday, 5th January, but you can still access all of our study guides and video tutorials on Canvas. 
• Skills drop-ins at Walsall will be operating on a reduced schedule from 15th to 23rd December. Please visit the One-to-One Support page to view the full drop-in schedule. 
• If you make a request for a 1:1 appointment over the holiday period, staff will reply to you as soon as possible from the 5th January.

Will my books renew?

Your Library books will renew automatically over the holiday, subject to the usual rules - if we do contact you via email and ask you to return items, the due date will usually be from the 5th January onwards. You can read more about why recalls happen in our associated FAQ.

Will I be able to make requests?

• if you place a request via the LibrarySearch catalogue on a book from one of our Libraries, we will action it as soon as possible from the 5th January
• if you make a request for something our Library doesn't have via the Inter-Library Loan form (books, book chapters and articles), most requests will be queued until the new year. This is because we use other UK Libraries for this service and they will also be closed or offering a limited service over the holiday.