Using the Library

 

Essential information on getting the most out of your library. 

Bookable Group Study Rooms

If you want to book a study room there are 2 available on the ground floor (l017 and L018) and 2 on the second floor (L208 and L209). The maximum occupancy for each bookable study room is 2 people. Rooms can be booked Monday – Friday between 10:00 and 20:00

Study Spaces

At the moment the Library study spaces are for single private study and are arranged to comply with social distancing rules.

Students in study bubbles can use the Main Building study space which is available Monday to Friday 06:00 – 20:00 or the Students Union which is available Monday to Friday 09:00 – 22:00

Library 2 - MB 225

There is additional study space in Library 2 which in MB225, Floor 2 of the Main Building. Library 2 is equipped with 3 PCs, a printer, power sockets and USB chargers. There are currently 15 single study desks which have been socially distanced. 

Additional Study Space

Additional study space in the main building can be found in:

• MB561
• MB563
• MB565
• MB606
• MB Ground Floor – D-E corridor
• G7

Laptops

Laptops are available to borrow from one of the 3 self-service laptop cabinets in the Library, anytime the Library is open. There are 2 cabinets on the Ground Floor and 1 on the second floor of the Library. They can be borrowed by Aston University staff and students, for use in the Library providing you have your uniCARD.

Laptops are issued for 4 hours (battery life is approximately 4 hours and they are issued without a power cable or mouse). They are issued to you on your uniCARD - you will need your uniCARD to return your laptop.

You can log on to the University network and access your documents on the 'H' drive You can use the Uniprint printing system. You can access Aston Replay lectures using the laptops but it is best to use Firefox or Chrome (not Internet Explorer 9). Save your work regularly to a memory stick, or your home drive, as the battery life cannot be guaranteed.

The return time is given on the screen of the main cabinet at the time of issue. You can check the return time by logging in to your Library Record.

Terms of Use

Laptops cannot be renewed. You are responsible for the laptop while it is in your possession. Please do not take the laptop out of the Library except in case of evacuation. If you lose a laptop, or if it is stolen, the full replacement cost of £500 will be charged. Do not leave it unattended even for short breaks.

Using your own laptop in the Library

You can use your own laptop anywhere in the Library. There is Wi-Fi throughout the building and power sockets to charge your laptop. If you would like to print documents from your laptop to the printers in the Library, then you may need some additional software. Please check the Digital Services setup guides for details.

Computers

There are 127 computers available for student use in the Library. You can use them on a first-come, first-served basis and you can log-in with your university username and password. There are computers on the ground, second and third floors.  The computers on the third floor are in a silent study area. You can check the availability of computers in the Library here.

The computers have software available across the University via the AstonApps portal. Please see the IT student software guide for further information.

Printers / Copiers

There are printer/copiers on the ground and second floor of the Library. Printer/copiers can also scan to email (at no cost). The printer/copiers are connected to the University network. 
 
To print and photocopy you will need to tap your uniCARD on the machine.

For help or queries if your card doesn't work with the printers contact the IT Help Desk: 08:00-18:00 Monday-Thursday, 08:00-17:00 Friday), email it_helpdesk@aston.ac.uk or telephone +44(0) 121 204 3445. 

When photocopying remembers to tap your card to end your session.

Please make sure that you keep within the copyright restrictions on printing/photocopying which are displayed near to each of the printer/photocopiers.

Stapling your documents

If you want to staple, you can do this within the Printer Properties when you send your work to print or you can use the stapling facilities on the printers. 

Quick Print

There are four workstations on the Ground Floor reserved especially for printing from USB memory stick and H: drive. 

IMPORTANT: Your default location for saving documents, files and folders that you create while you are working is your H: drive. Do not save your work to the C: drive (local hard disk) as all these files are removed on reboot. 

Additional information is available from Aston University IT Services

How to...very brief video guides

Watch our short videos to guide you through using our different Library services, such as printing and borrowing books.

Library regulations

  • Always use your uniCARD to gain entry to the Library and never lend it to anyone else. Remember there is no admission without a card. Keep your uniCARD on you and take it with you if you leave the library (even for a short break). Please be prepared to show your uniCARD to Library staff on request.
  • Cold snacks (e.g. fruit, sandwiches, confectionary, etc.) may be brought into the Library, but may only be consumed on the Ground and the Second Floors of the Library. Hot food must not be brought into the Library. Non-alcoholic drinks are permitted in the Library, provided that they are in re-sealable containers. Users must dispose of their rubbish in the recycling bins provided
  • Mobile phones can be used for calls on the ground floor and second floor but must be switched to 'silent mode' on the upper floors so that the ringer does not disturb other students.  Mobile phones must not be used for calls on floors 1 and 3 - please move to the stairwells to make or take a call.
  • Single silent study on third floor at all times.
  • No smoking inside or within 5 metres of the building and e-cigarettes are not permitted.
  • Usage of e-resources is subject to terms and conditions.
  • Library staff patrol the building to ensure that the regulations are adhered to for the safety, security and benefit of all users.

uniCARDS

You can use your uniCARD to:

  • Enter and leave the Library
  • Borrow books and laptops
  • Collect your printing
  • Pay any Library fines
  • Please look after your uniCARD and never lend it to anyone else.  Please take it with you when you leave the Library, even for a short break.

If you lose your uniCARD please contact the IT Helpdesk as soon as possible for a new card and to put a block on your card If you have forgotten your uniCARD Library staff will be able to advise you on alternative study spaces and computer labs that you can use in the main building.

Lost and found property

Please speak to staff at the Library Reception desk or contact Security in the Main Building. Valuable items are taken over to Security each day. Other non-valuable items will be kept by the Library for a maximum of 1 week and then donated to charity.