Welcome back from the Easter break. We hope you all managed to relax before the pressures of the Semester 2 assessments approach. The good news is the library is now open 24/7 until the assessment period ends on the 24 May without any further interruptions. This includes the Early May Bank Holiday on the 6 May, the library point will be opened for reduced hours (11:00 – 16:00) but you will still have 24-hour access to the building.

While we strive to make sure that our library offers the best possible learning and study environment for our users, such as the use of designated study areas, it can only be achieved if all our library users respect the rights of others to work quietly in the library. We’d like to remind all our users of the expected behaviour in each of our study zones.

Silent zone

The Silent Zones are in the west wing of the second and third floors of Augustine House. These areas are for times when you need to work on your own in silence.

• Work silently – no talking or whispering at all in this area, please.
• Cold food only – no hot, smelly or noisy food.
• No leaky headphones –please make sure others can’t hear your music.
• No phones – please keep phones on silent and take phone calls in the Atrium.

Quiet zone

The Quiet Zones are available on the east wing of the second and third floor. These are spaces to focus on your work. Most PCs and printers are in these areas.

• Work quietly – please respect other library users and keep conversations short. Consider using the Group Work Zone or the atrium if you need to discuss your work. 
• Cold food only –no hot, smelly or noisy food. 
• No leaky headphones – please make sure others can’t hear your music. 
• No phones – please keep phones silent and make phone calls in the Atrium.

Group zone

The ground floor and first floor (east wing) are group work zones.

• For focused group work and collaboration – use these areas when discussion and working together is essential.
• Cold food only – no hot, smelly or noisy food.
• Quiet calls allowed – please keep phones on vibrate/silent. No calls on loud speaker please.

Group study rooms

There are also bookable group study rooms on the first, second and third floors of the Library, each with a PC and large screen. You can use these rooms to do collaborative work, such as group assignments or practising presentations. You can book a study room using MyBookings.

Remember the study rooms are not soundproof! Please make sure your conversation or music stays inside your study room.

Atrium – Social Study Zone

In Augustine House, all study spaces in the atrium are more relaxed and informal. You can use them for more casual work or just taking a break from your studies. There are plenty of PCs and desks here, and there is also access to an outdoor terrace from the back of the second floor.

• For working together and socialising – feel free to discuss work, chat and relax.
• Stay connected – Feel free to use this area for video chat, online meetings or catching up with home.
• Have a bite to eat – However hard you’re studying, it’s important to stop for food! Have a hot or cold meal, take time to refuel.
• Phones allowed – please take your phone here to make calls. You can leave the ringer of your phone on when you’re in the atrium. Perfect if you’re expecting an important call.

Noisy Neighbours

We understand that respectful use of the zones is not always upheld by everyone, and also you might not feel confident enough to ask a group of strangers to be quieter. That’s where our Noisy Neighbour Service comes in.

If you do have any problems to report about a noisy neighbour in Augustine House, during staffed hours, you can email noiseAH@canterbury.ac.uk. Alternatively you can fill out an online form. Upon doing this a member of staff will visit the location where the disruption has been reported and resolve the issue, so you can continue your studies without interruptions.

Outside of staffed hours, you can raise noise concerns at the security desk and they will attend the relevant area.

Take a break!

The most important thing to remember when studying is to take a break!  Remember to look after your mind and body when you’re studying, make sure you refuel!

Take a visit to the second-floor atrium where you can rest on the comfy seating, read a book, try some colouring or craft, build a puzzle, or play a game or simply take some time to rest and relax away from your work.

Our monthly StressLess events will be taking place on 18 April and 23 May from 13:00 – 17:00 on the 2^nd floor atrium. Drop by to get involved in a range of free art and craft activities.