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Paying tribute to our friend and colleague Clíona Ní Shúilleabháin

Clíona Ní Shúilleabháin worked as an Assistant Librarian in the Library of Trinity College Dublin from  1987 until her untimely death in February 2021. She was a Trinity graduate with a degree in French and Modern Irish. Starting work as a subject cataloguer in Celtic and other languages, over the course of her career, Clíona moved within the Library from Collection Management to Digital Systems and Services and to Reader Services. In Digital Systems and Services, she worked as Electronic Resources Librarian. As Subject Librarian in Reader Services, she supported the staff and students in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, the School of Religion and the School of Creative Arts and was longstanding member of the Library’s User Education Group.

Continue reading “Paying tribute to our friend and colleague Clíona Ní Shúilleabháin”
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Berkeley, Lecky, Ussher and Hamilton libraries reopen for essential study: Resumption of activities next steps

Pomodoro Sphere

Today we are opening our doors to the Berkeley, Lecky, Ussher and Hamilton libraries as part of the phased resumption of Library activities. We know how much the libraries mean to all of us at Trinity, and just how much disruption to research, teaching and learning has been caused by COVID-19.

Our reopening is focused on the essential needs of academic staff, postgraduate students and undergraduate students who may be sitting reassessments. There is also an expanded range of new services, including ‘Click and Collect’, ‘Scan on Demand’ and a postal delivery service, supporting those working remotely − further details here.

Access for external/visiting readers is not possible at this time but please keep an eye on the Library homepage for updates. The situation may change as we approach the start of teaching term on the 28th September 2020.

The safety of our staff and students is foremost in this process, ensuring a safe working and studying environment. The safety protocols that will be in place for the physical reopening will be as follows:

  • Reading rooms in Berkeley, Lecky, Ussher and Hamilton libraries will open for individual study and self-service borrowing
  • There will be no counter services and no group study activities
  • Social distancing will be in place across all reading rooms (chairs at least 2m apart)
  • There will be a ‘keep right’ policy and readers will be asked not to congregate anywhere in the building
  • The Library will make hand gel and wipes available at key locations throughout the buildings
  • Access to the Berkeley/Lecky/Ussher complex is via the Berkeley Library only (Lecky entrance in the Arts Block is closed)
  • The opening hours in the Berkeley, Lecky, Ussher and Hamilton will be 09:30 – 17:00 (Mon-Fri)
  • The John Stearne Medical Library will reopen on 10th August with limited hours; in the interim, materials held there can be requested via the new services (‘Click & Collect’ etc).

There will be signage to assist you in observing these protocols which are in keeping with HSE guidelines. For those intending to use the Library, I would encourage you to plan your study and research in advance.

The reopening of the physical Library is being phased in keeping with Trinity’s overall health and safety guidelines and the government roadmap. The most recent phase on 29th June, involved the reopening of Kinsella Hall for the essential research needs of postgraduates and early stage researchers. Based on their feedback, we know it was hugely beneficial for those who availed of it. One postgrad wrote ‘I have got more done in the past two hours than I did in the past two months’. We hope that today’s further reopening will help others who need on-site Library study space and services.

Access to all Library reading rooms, including Manuscripts & Archives and Early Printed Books (as well as the Book of Kells exhibition), will resume on August 10th. Please continue to consult the Library’s Academic Continuity Guide on the Library website for regular updates.

I look forward to welcoming you all back in person as our resumption plans progress.

Helen Shenton, Librarian & College Archivist

 

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Reopening of the Physical Library

As part of Trinity College Dublin’s overall plans for the resumption of activities the reopening of the physical Library and services will be phased and gradual. The safety of our staff and students will at all times remain our priority throughout this process.

“When we had to close the library buildings, we kept the Library open online and continued to provide students and staff with our Library services throughout COVID-19, including online services and virtual consultations. I am delighted that the reopening of the physical Library will now begin, starting on a modest scale, from the end of this month, culminating with virtually full access in August (with social distancing and other safety measures in place.) All of this will be complemented by a range of new online services starting on June 29th through to August. The overarching goal is the safe resumption of activity within the Library in a phased manner that enables access whilst protecting the health and safety of our readers and our Library staff.  We very much look forward to opening our doors once again to our readers,” says Librarian and College Archivist, Helen Shenton.

Continue reading “Reopening of the Physical Library”

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Library Study Space Campaign

To address the issue of ‘desk-hogging’ (i.e., the practice of leaving books and personal belongings unattended for long periods of time at Library study spaces, thus preventing others from using those spaces), the Library is launching a Study Space Campaign on Wednesday 20 November 2019 in the Berkeley, Lecky, Ussher, John Stearne and Hamilton Libraries. A dedicated study space team, wearing blue t-shirts, will patrol Library reading rooms to free up study spaces that have been unoccupied for more than 60 minutes.

The team will operate using the following procedure:

  • Leaflets will be left at study spaces observed to be unattended. The leaflets will indicate the time at which the study space was observed to be unoccupied and the time at which it will be cleared should the reader fail to return within the allotted 60 minute period
  • Any books and belongings left at the study space will be cleared to a box and moved to a designated storage area on the same floor. This includes laptops and other portable devices, so readers are strongly advised to back-up all work regularly!
  • The information on each leaflet will also be recorded on separate clipboard sheets to ensure transparency

**please note that the above procedure does not apply to officially reserved carrels**

The Library Study Space Campaign relies on the cooperation of all readers. We ask that you support the study space team to ensure a level playing field for those who come to the Library to study and prepare for exams. You can assist us by not leaving laptops, phones, USB drives or any other valuables unattended for any length of time, and by sticking to the 60 minute rule.

The Library shall not be held responsible for damaged or stolen belongings.

For further information about the Library’s seating policy, please see our Library Regulations page.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at: library@tcd.ie.

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Library Desk Monitor Vacancies (2019-20)

The Library is recruiting a new team of 8 student Library Desk Monitors as part of a Library Study Space Campaign to address the issue of ‘desk-hogging’ in the contemporary libraries (i.e. the practice of leaving personal belongings unattended for long periods of time at Library study desks, preventing others from using those desks). Applications are now being accepted for the 2019-20 academic year.

Successful applicants will need to be capable of the physical demands of patrolling Library reading rooms and clearing belongings from desks. The Library will be launching a communications campaign over the coming weeks to inform readers of the new policy to ensure that the work of the desk monitor team is as simple and straightforward as possible.

Team members will work a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 12 hours per week. Shifts will be 2 hours in duration each day (Monday to Friday) and assigned according to a rota system, with some flexibility to swap and change as may be required. The work will be split into two periods, coinciding with the pre-Christmas and pre-summer exam preparation periods:

 

  • Semester 1, 2019: 18th November – 13th December (4 weeks)
  • Semester 2, 2020: 23rd March – 1st May (6 weeks)

A full job description and short-listing criteria are available on the application website.

**Please note that this webpage can only be accessed locally on the University network**

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Friday 1st November 2019.

Interviews for these positions will take place on Tuesday 12th November 2019 with a view to successful applicants starting on Monday 18th November. Candidates shortlisted for interview will be notified by e-mail.

If you have any questions please contact Derek Birney, Reading Room Maintenance Executive, by e-mail: DJBIRNEY@tcd.ie.

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Open House Festival: tours of the Berkeley Library – Saturday 12 October

As part of this year’s Open House Festival, the Berkeley Library is being opened up for public tours from 11:00 to 16:00 on Saturday 12 October. This is a special opportunity to welcome members of the public to experience ‘Ireland’s finest modern building’.

The tours are likely to involve some minor noise disruption, particularly on the upper floors, but every effort will be taken to minimise the impact. Please note that alternative quiet study spaces will be available in the Lecky and Ussher libraries.

If you would like to offer any feedback please contact Peter Dudley (peter.dudley@tcd.ie).

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Increase in 24-hour Library study spaces during Supplemental Exams

To facilitate students preparing for supplemental examinations, the Library will open all three floors of the 24-hour space in the Ussher Library (i.e., Kinsella Hall) from Monday 19th – Friday 30th August inclusive. This will increase the number of spaces available on a 24-hour basis by approximately 350.

Please see the Library’s opening hours page for details of the relevant changeover procedure.

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Trinity Ball 2019 – Library Arrangements

Due to the Trinity Ball, all Library buildings on the main University campus will close early on Friday 12 April 2019.

The Berkeley/Ussher/Lecky (BLU) Libraries and the Hamilton Library will close at 5pm, Friday 12 April and reopen at 9:30am Saturday 13 April.

  • Kinsella Hall, Ussher Library will close at 5pm, Friday 12 April. The 1st floor and the computer room will reopen at 8:30am Saturday 13 April.
  • The 1937 Reading Room will close at 4:30pm, Friday 12 April and reopen at 8:30am, Saturday 13th April.

The John Stearne Medical Library is unaffected as it lies off campus, and will close at 10pm Friday 12 April and reopen at 9:30am Saturday 13 April.

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Your Library, Your Views

Library Pop Art

We’re running a short survey to help us understand your experiences of the Library. As a thank you, we will enter you into a draw to win prizes including Trinity Ball tickets, TCard credit and more.

Your views will help us to better appreciate all of our users’ needs and provide valuable insights to enable us to develop responsive services for the future. The survey will take about fifteen minutes to complete. The closing date is 14 December.

Get started here!

The Library Life Pulse survey is being administered by an independent research agency called Alterline, you can view their GDPR policy online.

If you have any queries about this survey, please contact us at library@tcd.ie.

All personal data collected by the University will be processed according to the College Privacy Notice.

 

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Library Opening Hours – May Bank Holiday Weekend 2018

The Library will be open as follows over the May Bank Holiday Weekend 2018:

Kinsella Hall and the 1937 Postgraduate Reading Room will remain open throughout the weekend (including Monday 7 May).

Berkeley/Lecky/Ussher (BLU) + Hamilton Libraries

– Saturday 5 May: 09:30 – 19:00
– Sunday 6 May: 11:00 – 19:00
– Monday 7 May: 11:00 – 19:00
– Tuesday 8 May: 09:00 – 22:00

John Stearne Medical Library

– Saturday 5 May: 09:30 – 13:00
– Sunday 6 May: Closed
– Monday 7 May: Closed
– Tuesday 8 May: 09:00 – 22:00

Manuscripts & Archives Research Library

– Saturday 5 May: 10:00 – 12:45
– Sunday 6 May: Closed
– Monday 7 May: Closed
– Tuesday 8 May: 10:00 – 16:00

Early Printed Books & Special Collections

– Saturday 5 May: 10:00 – 12:45
– Sunday 6 May: Closed
– Monday 7 May: Closed
– Tuesday 8 Mar: 10:00 – 19:45

Last admission to each Library is 15 minutes before the Library closes.

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Lecky Entrance Closing at 5pm Today

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Lecky *entrance* to the BLU complex will close at 5pm today. The Lecky Library itself will remain open until 9:30pm, with access available through the Berkeley Library.

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Trinity Ball 2018 – Library Arrangements

Due to the Trinity Ball, all Library buildings on the main College campus will close early on Friday 6 April 2018.

  • The Berkeley/Ussher/Lecky (BLU) Libraries and the Hamilton Library will close at 5pm, Friday 6 April and reopen at 9:30am Saturday 7 April.
  • Kinsella Hall, Ussher Library will close at 5pm, Friday 6 April – the 1st floor and the computer room will reopen at 8:00am Saturday 7 April.
  • The 1937 Reading Room will close at 4:30pm, Friday 6 April and reopen at 8:00am, Saturday 7 April.

The John Stearne Medical Library is unaffected as it lies off campus, and will close at 10pm Friday 6 April and reopen at 9:30am Saturday 7 April.

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Library Opening Hours – Easter Weekend 2018

The Library will be open as follows over Easter Weekend 2018:

Kinsella Hall and the 1937 Reading Room will remain open 24/7 throughout the weekend.

Berkeley/Lecky/Ussher + Hamilton Libraries

– Thursday 29 Mar: 09:00 – 22:00
– Friday 30 Mar: Closed
– Saturday 31 Mar: Closed
– Sunday 1 Apr: Closed
– Monday 2 Apr: Closed
– Tuesday 3 Apr: 09:00 – 22:00

John Stearne Medical Library

– Thursday 29 Mar: 09:00 – 22:00
– Friday 30 Mar: Closed
– Saturday 31 Mar: Closed
– Sunday 1 Apr: Closed
– Monday 2 Apr: Closed
– Tuesday 3 Apr: 09:00 – 22:00

Manuscripts & Archives Research Library

– Thursday 29 Mar: 10:00 – 16:00
– Friday 30 Mar: Closed
– Saturday 31 Mar: Closed
– Sunday 1 Apr: Closed
– Monday 2 Apr: Closed
– Tuesday 3 Apr: 10:00 – 16:00

Early Printed Books & Special Collections

– Thursday 29 Mar: 10:00 – 16:45
– Friday 30 Mar: Closed
– Saturday 31 Mar: Closed
– Sunday 1 Apr: Closed
– Monday 2 Apr: Closed
– Tuesday 3 Apr: 10:00 – 19:45

Last admission to each Library is 15 minutes before the Library closes.

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Library Opening Hours – St Patrick’s Weekend 2018

The Library will be open as follows over St Patrick’s Weekend:

Kinsella Hall and the 1937 Reading Room will remain open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Berkeley/Lecky/Ussher + Hamilton Libraries

– Friday 16 Mar: 09:00 – 22:00
– Saturday 17 Mar: Closed
– Sunday 18 Mar: Closed
– Monday 19 Mar: Closed
– Tuesday 20 Mar: 09:00 – 22:00

John Stearne Medical Library

– Friday 16 Mar: 09:00 – 20:00
– Saturday 17 Mar: Closed
– Sunday 18 Mar: Closed
– Monday 19 Mar: Closed
– Tuesday 20 Mar: 09:00 – 22:00

Manuscripts & Archives Research Library

– Friday 16 Mar: 10:00 – 16:00
– Saturday 17 Mar: Closed
– Sunday 18 Mar: Closed
– Monday 19 Mar: Closed
– Tuesday 20 Mar: 10:00 – 16:00

Early Printed Books & Special Collections

– Friday 16 Mar: 10:00 – 16:45
– Saturday 17 Mar: Closed
– Sunday 18 Mar: Closed
– Monday 19 Mar: Closed
– Tuesday 20 Mar: 10:00 – 19:45

Last admission to each Library is 15 minutes before the Library closes.

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Open Day Library Tours Saturday 9th December 2017

As part of Trinity Open Day the Library would be delighted if you could join us for a short tour of the Berkeley, Lecky and Ussher Libraries. Students and their families are all very welcome – teachers too!

Please meet us in the foyer of the Berkeley Library. If you can see this…

Pomodoro Sphere

…then you are at the right place.

Tours will run every 15 minutes from 10:15 to 13:00 and will last about 10 minutes.  They will be led by Trinity students so it’s a chance to talk to them about life at Trinity and they might even show you their favourite spot to study in the Library!

We apologise to current users of the Library for any disruption.