Visitor access
If you're not based at UWE Bristol you can still visit the Library, join the Library and borrow books free of charge.
COVID-19 update for external users
We are delighted to announce that we can re-open our Libraries for visitors from Monday 8 November 2021.
We know how unpredictable COVID-19 can be and that does mean we might need to make changes at short notice. Please ensure that you check our website before your visits, as this is where we keep all our members up to date with the latest information.
Changes to services
Please see our services for members of the public section for details of current changes to services.
Visiting our libraries
As the University is home to large on-campus communities, there are a number of Covid-19 measures that you will need to follow and outlined below.
If asked by a member of university staff, you will need to show your vaccination status, lateral flow test result or natural immunity. In order to achieve this, you will need to show one of the following as proof:
- Proof of double vaccination, either through the NHS Covid Pass app or by bringing your vaccination card
- Proof of a negative lateral flow test taken within 24 hours prior to arrival
- Positive PCR test within the past 180 days showing natural immunity following a COVID infection (must have completed the self-isolation period).
If you cannot prove any of the above then you will be asked to take a lateral flow test on arrival.
Please do not visit if you have any COVID-19 symptoms or have been instructed to self-isolate.
Whilst you are visiting and making use of our facilities, we also ask that you do the following:
- Wear a face covering when moving around indoors, unless you have an exemption.
- Use the test and trace app and use the QR codes found at each desk.
- Use the hand sanitiser placed around the library floors.
Library occupancy
We are still operating at reduced capacity and are monitoring building occupancy. We may need to restrict access when we are busy.
To ensure that everyone can work safely in our spaces, we are using a traffic-light system to help us manage building occupancy. You can check the status before visiting us.
We are still operating at reduced capacity and are monitoring building occupancy. We may need to restrict access when we are busy. To ensure that everyone can work safely in our spaces, we are using a traffic-light system to help us manage building occupancy. You can check the status before visiting us
Join the Library
- Please read the library's code of conduct.
- If you are already registered with a local public library, bring your LibrariesWest or Active Card* to a UWE Bristol library during staffed hours and we will add your card to our system.
- Otherwise, complete the online application to join the library.
* LibrariesWest comprises all the public libraries in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
Services available to members of the public
Visitor access hours
You can gain access to our libraries during our external visitor access hours. Outside of these times, the external doors to UWE Bristol buildings are operated by swipe access for students and staff only.
If you wish to borrow books, you will need to visit when library staff are available.
Bower Ashton Library
There is one external door for visitor access which you can view on the Bower Ashton Library visitor access map (PDF). If you visit Bower Ashton Library outside of our staffed hours you will need to ring the doorbell at the top of the internal stairs so that our security team can let you in through this swipe-access door.
Access to Bower Ashton Library
There is one external door for visitor access which you can view on the Bower Ashton Library visitor access map (PDF).
To navigate to the Library, please visit go.uwe.ac.uk/visitordirections from your mobile phone. Select Bower Ashton and then Library. This will give you a walking route with the option to avoid stairs if required.
If you visit Bower Ashton Library outside of our staffed hours you will need to ring the doorbell at the top of the internal stairs so that our security team can let you in through this swipe-access door.
Reference use of print books and journals
You can visit any campus library during staffed hours, search for books and journals on the library shelves and read them on the premises.
Photocopying facilities are not available to members of the public.
Borrow and reserve books
You can...
- Access any of our campus libraries during opening hours (or external borrower access hours for Frenchay Campus Library).
- Borrow up to 5 items, excluding audio-visual materials and laptop loans.
- Make 2 reservations at a time.
We replaced our self-service machines whilst you’ve been away. Our new machines do not work with your existing visitor card. This will be resolved once our scheduled IT improvement project is completed. For now, to borrow books you will need to visit the library desk during staffed hours. Thank you for your patience with this.
Returning
Due to the pandemic, we have a large number of books on loan. We are starting to ask for these to be returned.
If you have any books on loan, please return them to one of our libraries. We will waive any fines for late return relating to lockdowns and restrictions. Library staff will need to manually waive this on the system, so please speak to us at our help desks or get in touch if this applies to you.
If you are unable to visit our libraries, please contact us for details of our freepost service for returns.
Internet access
UWE Bristol participates in the Eduroam service, which provides wireless internet access for visitors from participating institutions.
Visitors can access WiFi in all public locations at UWE Bristol (including in the library) using "_The Cloud".
PCs and printers
You may be aware that we are working on a project with our IT Services colleagues, to allow you access to our PCs and printers. We have had to prioritise improvements and fixes for our current staff and students during the pandemic, to ensure that our core user group could access the materials they need to complete their studies. As a result there is a delay to this work.
Once our planned improvements take effect, you will no longer need to request temporary log-in details. You will be given your own personal log-in details to access PCs and some electronic resources (depending on licence restrictions).
We will also be able to offer visitor printing again, which has been unavailable since our coin-operated machines were withdrawn.
Guest access to databases
Guest access to databases is currently unavailable.
Alumni
UWE Bristol Library supports you in continuing your learning after graduation from UWE Bristol, be it for professional development, academic research, or personal interest.
Join the Library
You can join the Library after you graduate for free. You'll be able to borrow books and use the study spaces and facilities at any of our four campus libraries during opening hours (or external borrower access hours for Frenchay campus library).
You can borrow up to 5 items and make 2 reservations.
Access electronic materials
Guest access to databases is currently unavailable due to ongoing technical issues. We are working to restore access.
Alumni have guest access to databases. This service provides access to a wide range of our databases, but not all of them, due to licence restrictions. See the list of guest-access databases: A-Z.
This service is only available from library PCs on-site. Access to the computers may be limited during busy times. At present we have no off-site access to our databases.
Contact us
If you need help using our services or want to discuss ways we might be able to help you then please contact us.
Business
UWE Bristol Library supports local business, in particular start-up and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are associated with UWE Bristol.
You can join the Library for free. You'll be able to borrow books and use the study spaces. Our books cover all the subject areas taught at UWE Bristol, including extensive business and law collections.
Access electronic materials
Guest access to databases is currently unavailable due to ongoing technical issues. We are working to restore access.
Members of the public have limited guest access to databases. This service is only available from library PCs on-site. This service is licensed only for academic, non-commercial use.
Not all online information is locked up behind subscription barriers. An increasing volume of academic research (including journal articles, conference papers and technical and experimental data) as well as official, business, and ‘trade’ information, is freely available on the internet for anyone to consult and use.
Explore our online reading list on free to access resources to support business. You can also access UWE Bristol’s own open-access Research Repository for open access to all of UWE Bristol's research output.
Contact us
If you need help using our services or want to discuss ways we might be able to help you then please contact us.
Students and staff at schools and colleges
We welcome visits from schools and Further Education colleges. Find out what resources we can provide and arrange a visit.
