We’re finally nearing the end of 2021! As the term draws to a close we have some information about library services to share, alongside some holiday themed engagement activities. To skip to different sections of the blog post please use the links below…
LIBRARY SERVICES • CHRISTMAS TREE PADLET • HOLIDAY FILMS
opening hours and services
Colchester
The Library Reading Room and Postgraduate Room will be available 24/7 throughout the Christmas break (24 December – 3 January, 2022). Individual Study Pods will not be bookable over the break, and the ones in the Library Reading Room will be available on a first come first served basis. The external book return and laptop loans will continue to be available. Support via chat, email, phone, Helpdesk will be unavailable with staff responding to enquiries on their return from 4th January. Please visit the Library website or your Subject Guide if you require support over the closure period.
There will be no recalls on books during the time the library is closed, however, books can be recalled at any time from the 4th of January onwards. If you are planning to go home for the holidays, please remember to return all books to the library before you go, or make sure that you are able to return them in the event of a recall. Books can be posted to the library using the address on our Contact us page.
The Forum (Southend)
- Christmas Eve (Friday 24th) – 9am-2pm
- Sat 25th – CLOSED
- 26TH: CLOSED
- 27TH: CLOSED (Bank Holiday)
- 28th: CLOSED
- Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th, Friday 31st: 9am-5pm
- 1st Jan: CLOSED
- 2nd Jan: CLOSED
- 3rd Jan: CLOSED (bank holiday)
Students will still have 24 hour access throughout Christmas via the out of hours access door.
Loughton
- Wednesday 23 December – closed from 11pm for Christmas
- Tues 4 Jan – open from 08.30
If you borrowed or renewed a book between 13th – 18th December 2021, it will not be due back until the start of term on January 10th 2022. You can still request books during this time but they will not be available until after the 10th when they have been returned. If you have books you know you don’t need over Christmas please return them this week before you leave. Remember, you can renew all your books online using the “my account” page of the library website.
in person activities
Colchester
Come and fill in a Christmas tree tag for your Christmas wishes. Tell us your festive traditions on our graffiti board. Donate to Colchester Foodbank by leaving your donations at the Library Helpdesk – recommendations include:
- Tinned fruit
- Tinned Fish
- Tinned potatoes
- Long life juice
- Long life milk
- Cordial
- Sugar
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate spread
- Hot chocolate
- Cleaning sprays etc
- Deodorants
- Shampoo / Conditioner
- Washing up liquid
- Washing powder / gel / pods
- Nappies sizes 5,6,7
- Razors
- Shaving foam / gel
Christmas Tree Padlet
If you aren’t able to visit one of our libraries in person this year, we still want you to share your Christmas wishes with us! Leave us a note on our special holiday Padlet and let us know what you want the most next year…
If you cannot access the Padlet through the HTML embed please click this link.
Holiday Films
It’s the time of year to cosy up in a chair with a hot drink, some sweet treats, and watch a seasonal film! We’ve put together this reading list to compile some of our favourite movies for the holiday season.
From all of us, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
To those who celebrate Hanukkah we hope it is a time of peace and joy…
— The Library Team
University of Essex Library Blog 