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The Q&A below provides you with easily accessible information about the changes we have made to services, space, and facilities. We are here to help you.
Entry to the library from September 2022
The main door to the Institute of Archaeology building is locked and not accessible. All UCL staff, students, and visitors with an ID or library card should use the cardax reader to the right of the main door to the building to enter and come up to the library on the 5th floor as usual.
All visitors without a library card should preferably arrange a date and time for your visit in advance by emailing us at lib-archaeology@ucl.ac.uk or visiting our membership pages. On arrival, please telephone the library on 020 7679 4788, and library staff will let you in.
Archaeology Library Self-guided tour
Users of the library can familiarise themselves with general library resources and collections and make the most of all our services and facilities, with our self-guided tour.
Service availability
Essential information on our services can be found in the Library Essentials guide and on our website.
Current Services
The following services are available:
Using the Institute of Archaeology Library
- Archaeology Library opening hours:
- Monday - Friday: 09:30 - 21:00
Saturday: 11:00 - 18:00
Sunday: Closed - Archaeology Library Click and Collect
Books can be requested from a number of sites via our Click and Collect service, which is available to a wider range of user groups. Please see our Membership information pages for details of eligibility for our services.
- Archaeology Library Scan and Send Service
If you cannot come on-site to collect books, please use our Scan and Send service, which complements the Click and Collect service. This allows UCL students and staff to request copies of journal articles and book chapters to be scanned and emailed to them directly.
- How can I return books?
Please return your books to the Archaeology Library as normal. This helps us to ensure that they are made available as quickly as possible for other Library users. If you are having difficulties returning the Library items, please email us: lib-archaeology@ucl.ac.uk
Can I return my books by post?
Yes. Please send them to the library you borrowed them from. See our web pages for a list of the Library sites and their contact details.
The book will remain your responsibility until it has been received at the library, so it is a good idea to send them by recorded delivery.
- Can I borrow a laptop?
- Can I use the library MFDs?
Yes. Further information is available here:
- Can I borrow phone chargers and staplers from the Issue Desk as before?
We are able to loan out shared equipment, including staplers, phone chargers (iPhone & Samsung) and headphones.
- How can I communicate with the Library?
You can email us at lib-archaeology@ucl.ac.uk
Our chat service is available Monday - Friday: 12:00 - 19:00.
General Library Services loans and Procedures
- Where can I get information on UCL Libraries?
We no longer provide paper leaflets, so please consult our website for information:
- Are books still being recalled and are fines being charged?
You can recall one week and standard loan books by signing into Explore.
Then click the "Click and Collect" link found in the "Request options" section.
How long will I have to wait?The person with the book will receive an email asking them to return it. You will join a queue of borrowers waiting for the book. Renewals will be blocked while borrowers are waiting for the book, and every time a copy is returned you will move forward in the queue until your request has been fulfilled.
Normal loan periods and fines for overdue items are:
Loan type Loan period Fine for overdue item Standard 8 weeks 20p per day 2 week 2 weeks 20p per day 1 week 7 days 30p per day 3 day (rolling) Due at 23:59 on the third day. Due at 23:59 on Monday if borrowed on Wednesday or Thursday. 50p per day 1 day (short loan) Due at 10:00 the next day. Due at 10:00 on Monday if borrowed on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. 50p per hour 3 hour (short loan) Due at 10:00 next day if borrowed after 15:00. Due at 10:00 on Monday if borrowed after 15:00 on Friday or on Saturday or Sunday. 50p per hour Reference NOT FOR LOAN - How many books can I borrow?
User Items allowed Undergraduates 20 Staff 40 Masters degree 20 MPhil/PhD 30 PhD writing-up 30 NHS members 20 London Mathematical Society borrowers 10 SOAS external borrowers 3 Other external borrowers 5 - How can I get access to a paper journal in the IOA Library?
Please use the Scan and Send service. Please note the service is currently only available for UCL Students and Staff.
- Can I get books from Stores?
Books can be requested from a number of sites via our Click and Collect service, which is available to a wider range of user groups. Please see our Membership information pages for details of eligibility for our services.
- Can I use other UCL Libraries?
Yes.
- How can I get to materials if I need to shield at any time in the future?
If you are unable to access the UCL campus to collect books that have been requested, for example, if you are self-isolating, you can arrange for another UCL Library member to collect them on your behalf. Please email lib-accessibility@ucl.ac.uk to arrange this.
- How can I renew my loans?
All borrowed books are now automatically renewed if they have a loan period of one week or longer unless they have been requested by another user. Standard (eight-week) loan books can be recalled if they are requested by another user and you will be given one week to return them to us.
Short loan items (items with a loan period of less than one week) must be returned at the end of their loan period as usual.
Visitors to the Library
- Can I use the library if I’m a reference user, a member of the public, from another university or visiting from overseas?
UCL students and staff are eligible to use and borrow books from the various UCL libraries, using your UCL ID card.
Qualifying external users must complete an online registration form before visiting. Please visit our website for further information:
Membership Services- Can I use the click and collect service if I have an alumnus or University of London borrowing card?
Yes. You can use the click and collect service.
- Can I renew my library membership at the IOA Library?
The walk-in service is now open as well as online service:
Membership Services