December Break Opening Hours

Most of the Heriot-Watt University libraries will reduce their opening hours during the December break.

Please check the opening hours before you visit: https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/is/library-essentials/library-opening-hours.htm

A photograph of a pine cone and pine needles, each tipped with white frost.

Edinburgh Campus Library Study Space and Study Rooms – November 2021

Library Study Space and Study Rooms are available to book in advance online via Resource Booker, the University room booking system.
There are 300+ study spaces available plus some individual and group rooms.

To book a study space, go to the myHWU app which will give you access to the Student Portal and then go to the Book a Room tile or go direct to Resource Booker.

There are two tiles for the Library :
EDINBURGH LIBRARY – STUDY ROOMS

EDINBURGH LIBRARY – STUDY SPACE

(There is also a tile for GROUP STUDY SPACE which has rooms in the Learning Commons and the GRID).

The Library Study Spaces are listed as one long list so scroll down to see them all. The list starts with Floor 1, then Floor 2, then Floor 3.

  • Click on the name of the space that you would like to book e.g. Library (Floor 2) Seat 01
  • Select the time you would like the space for – there are hourly slots throughout the day, and you can book as many as you need. 
  • The time slots are available during Library opening times and can be booked up to 3 days in advance.
  • Fill in the booking form

When booking the Library study rooms – individual and group rooms – you will need to add the usernames of all the students in your group who are using the room.

All bookings will show as provisionally accepted on the screen.  When you come to the Library, you need to check in at the Library Service Desk with a member of staff to have the booking approved and finalised.   If you have not already booked a space in advance, you will need to do so before you can proceed.
The study spaces are clearly marked with ‘YES’ signs in green and a table number.  The spaces are physically distanced for safety and the study rooms have a maximum capacity. 

The floor plans of the Library study spaces can be seen below and are also displayed in the Library.

Please only book a study room or study space for the time you need it. For Group Rooms, please only book for the time of your group activity and then make available for other groups to use. For individual study rooms, please only leave the room for short breaks if necessary.

Using the Library – Edinburgh Campus – September 2021

We’re pleased to say that our Edinburgh Campus Library is now open for students and staff, every day, 7 days a week.
The study spaces are open on the basis of Scottish Government and University guidelines for 1m social distancing and the safe management of access to spaces and resources, maximum occupancy and face masks.

Study spaces
Study spaces must be booked in advance. Book a study space through the Student Portal or direct at Resource Booker. In Resource Booker, you can filter to locate a study space with a PC and can filter on available times.

Please confirm your booking at the Service Desk on arrival at the library – bookings are provisional until confirmed. Study spaces are clearly marked with green YES or red NO and are numbered.

There are over 300 bookable spaces and a small number of individual study rooms, We don’t have any group study spaces available at the moment. Please see the seating plans below.

ID cards
You must have your HWU ID card to access the Library.
You use your card to swipe in through the entry gates to the Library.
Unfortunately, we can’t allow you access to the Library without your card.
If you have lost your card, please contact the Student Service Centre through the student portal.

Face coverings
Face coverings are still essential at all times when you’re coming into the Library building, when you’re moving about the building and when you are sat at your seat studying.

Borrowing Books
The bookshelves are now open for browsing. Please select a book from the shelves and take it to the Self Service Kiosk near the Library Service Desk. We are no longer offering our Click and Collect service but you can Request and Reserve books that are out on loan to another student – check Discovery and look for the Request option.

Opening hours
Monday to Friday 8:30am – 8:30pm Saturday and Sunday 9:45am – 8:15pm

Please check the website and social media for opening hours and any last minute changes

Floor 1 Study Seats
Floor 2 Study Seats
Floor 3 Study Seats

Edinburgh Campus Library Study Space

There are approximately 350 study spaces available in the Library for use during Semester 1. The study desks and seats are distanced 1m apart. They are labelled with a seat number and with a green tick to show that they can be used.
You need to book a study space in advance before you come to the Library.
To book a study space, go to the myHWU app which will give you access to the Student Portal .
Select the Book A Room tile, then select the Edinburgh Campus Library Study Space tile or you can book direct at Resource Booker. In Resource Booker, you can filter to locate a study space with a PC and can filter on available times.

Confirm your booking at the Service Desk on arrival at the library – bookings are provisional until confirmed

Edinburgh Campus Library Study Space

Using the Library Edinburgh Campus – August 2021

The latest Scottish Government update means that some of the COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted during August. The University is working on plans for next semester and we are hoping that there will more details to follow soon.

Face coverings
Face coverings are still essential when you’re coming into the Library building and when you’re moving about the building. Once you are sat at your seat studying, then it is ok to remove your face covering.  

Study spaces
Please continue to Book a study space through the Student Portal or direct at Resource Booker. In Resource Booker, you can filter to locate a study space with a PC and can filter on available times. Confirm your booking at the Service Desk on arrival at the library – bookings are provisional until confirmed. Study spaces are clearly marked with green YES or red NO and are numbered – see floor plans

The booking of study spaces is likely to continue into next semester. We are looking at whether we can open up group spaces and study rooms, but at the moment it is still individual study only.


ID cards
You must have your HWU ID card to access the Library.
You use your card to swipe in through the entry gates to the Library.
We cannot allow you access to the Library without your card.
If you have lost your card, please contact the Student Service Centre through the student portal.

Opening hours
Opening hours – August 2nd to 13th    
Monday – Thursday 9:00am – 8:00pm Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

Opening hours – August 16th to September 10th
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

Please check the website and social media for opening hours and any last minute changes

Using the Library – July 2021 – Edinburgh campus

There will be some further relaxing of the COVID-19 restrictions from Monday 19th July and our Scottish campuses will move down to Level Zero. 
However, the guidelines for using the Library are not going to change just yet and we hope that you will continue to be considerate to other students and staff in the Library by following these steps:

Study spaces
Book a study space through the Student Portal or direct at Resource Booker
In Resource Booker, you can filter to locate a study space with a PC and can filter on available times.
Please confirm your booking at the Service Desk on arrival at the library – bookings are provisional until confirmed

ID cards
You must have your HWU ID card to access the Library.
You use your card to swipe in through the entry gates to the Library.
We cannot allow you access to the Library without your card.
If you have lost your card, please contact the Student Service Centre through the student portal.

Face coverings
Face coverings are essential at all times – when you’re moving about and also when you are sat at your seat studying.  It is still mandatory to wear a face covering in Libraries

Physical distancing
Only individual study is supported due to current guidelines.
We don’t have any group rooms or spaces available.
2m distancing must be observed including when coming in and out of the Library building
Study spaces are clearly marked with green YES or red NO and are numbered – see floor plans

Opening hours
Opening hours – July Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

We are going to extend the Library opening hours for the first 2 weeks of August. 

Opening hours – August 2nd to 13th    
Monday – Thursday 9:00am – 8:00pm Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

Please check the website and social media for opening hours and any last minute changes

Library building

Returning Library books

Semester is over, exams are done and it is the summer, so now is a good time to return any Library books that you still have out on loan from our Edinburgh Campus Library.

If you are still living in Edinburgh, then please bring any books to the Library during opening hours Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm. Or you can return them to the Book Return Box at the entrance to the Library at any time.

If you are living elsewhere in the UK then we can supply you with a pre-paid postage label for you to post the books back to the Library. Please contact us for more details at ServiceDesk@hw.ac.uk or 0131 451 3577



Using the Library during exam time – Edinburgh Campus

Although there have been some recent changes to Scottish Government guidelines and lockdown restrictions, the guidelines for using the Library have not changed.
Please be considerate to other students and staff in the Library by following these steps:

Study spaces
Book a study space through the Student Portal or direct at Resource Booker
In Resource Booker, you can filter to locate a study space with a PC and can filter on available times.
Please confirm your booking at the Service Desk on arrival at the library – bookings are provisional until confirmed
Please only book for the times you need for essential study and cancel if you change your mind.

ID cards
You must have your HWU ID card to access the Library.
You use your card to swipe in through the entry gates to the Library.
We cannot allow you access to the Library without your card.
If you have lost your card, please contact the Student Service Centre through the student portal.

Face coverings
Face coverings are essential at all times – when you’re moving about and also when you are sat at your seat studying.
It is still mandatory to wear a face covering in Libraries

Physical distancing
Only individual study is supported due to current guidelines.
We don’t have any group rooms or spaces available.
2m distancing must be observed including when coming in and out of the Library building
Study spaces are clearly marked with green YES or red NO and are numbered – see floor plans

Opening hours
Opening hours until the end of semester are:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30am – 8:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Saturday, Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Check the website and social media for opening hours and any last minute changes

Library Study Space – approval for bookings

From Monday March 29th, there will be an extra approval step when booking study spaces.

Study spaces are limited due to the Covid19 restrictions and University and Government guidelines. The maximum number of spaces in the Library is 200 and these are for essential study. It is important that you only book the space for the number of hours that you need it and that you do show up. We have had a number of no shows which disadvantages other students.

The booking system will be same as usual – see information here but your booking will be provisional until you get to the Library and check in at the Service Desk. If you don’t turn up for your booking within an hour of the start time, it will be cancelled so that another student can book it.

Edinburgh Campus Library – Opening Hours – Easter Break

The Edinburgh Campus Library will be open the following days and hours over the Easter Break, 1st April to 7th April.

Please remember to book a study space in advance via the student portal

Face coverings are mandatory at all times

Thursday 1st April – CLOSED

Friday 2nd April – CLOSED

Saturday 3rd April – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Sunday 4th April – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Monday 5th April – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Tuesday 6th April – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Wednesday 7th April – 10:00am to 4:00pm

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