Your library, your say

Our Reply

Please ask a member of staff at your library enquiry desk.  We have Apple lightning, micro USB and USB 'C' chargers available.

Lorna Thomson, Service Delivery Division, March 2022

Our Reply

Library Maps showing the locations of books and journals have been created for the Main Library. A video, highlighting our DJCAD library resources is also available. Finding Books in the Library.  

Lorna Thomson, Service Delivery Division, February 2022

Our Reply

Yes, private space suitable for presentations or interviews is available to book in the Main Library.  The closed booth option - Law Library Office is our recommendation.  See all the rooms we have available on our Room Bookings page or book direct here!

Lorna Thomson, Service Delivery Division, December 2021

Our Reply

Yes, our postal delivery service for our standard loan books, that are not available electronically, is available to Undergraduates, Postgraduates and Academic staff based in the UK.

When placing a request for a book via Library Search, in addition to click and collect at a library site, an option for 'personal delivery' to your home address is now available.  

Standard loan items are subject to recall.  We have extended the recall period from 7 days to 14 days and any amendments to the due date will be sent by email to your University of Dundee address.   A free tracked return label will also be included in your package, so when it is time to return the item, you just need to visit your local post office.

Lorna Thomson, Service Delivery Division, October 2021

Our reply

The lockers that are located in the Magdalen Green Postgraduate suite on the 1st floor of the Main Library are now available to our Postgraduate students.  Please ask a member of staff at the InfoZone on the ground floor in the Main Library. 

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), May 2021

Our reply

Our online 'Library in your Living Room' sessions presented by the LLC Digital Skills Team, are bitesize sessions held over lunchtime and available to all.    Topics include Getting Started with Endnote, Advanced Endnote, Anatomy TV and searching for resuable images.

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), April 2021

Our reply

Our Main Library opening hours will be extended into the evenings from next Monday, 15^th March. We will remain open until 10pm, Monday – Sunday. Then from 29^th March, assuming Covid-safe practices are still being adhered to, we will extend this further until midnight.

Hope this helps – we have been listening!  

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), March 2021

Our reply

Welcome to our new students and staff, we have introductory sessions on the Library and Learning Centre's services and resources to support your learning, teaching and research activities.  

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), September 2020

Our reply

Yes, Microsoft Office 365 is available, please see this guide including download instructions provide by UoD IT -https://www.dundee.ac.uk/guides/free-microsoft-office

Lorna Thomson, Principal Library Assistant (Service Delivery), February 2020

Our reply



Lorna Thomson, Principal Library Assistant (Service Delivery), January 2020

Our reply

In liaison with DUSA, a kettle for students to make hot drinks has been provided, just outside the Library entrance on Level 8 in the Student Hub room. There’s a water fountain directly opposite where the kettle can be filled. You can have your drinks on the sofas in the Hub room, or take them back into the Library.

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), November 2019

Our reply

Working with colleagues with Estates and Buildings, the lighting has been replaced and improved on both level 7 and level 8 of our Medical Library.

Hazel Mitchell, Senior Library Assistant,(Service Delivery, Robertson Trust Medical Library) November 2019

Our reply

We have forwarded your feedback to the Food and Beverage Manager at DUSA who run the cafe in the Main Library.

Healthier options currently available in the cafe include homemade vegan soup (served daily); fresh fruit; smoothies and salad boxes.

Lorna Thomson, Principal Library Assistant (Service Delivery) November 2019

Our reply

As a trial for our Semester 1 revision and exam period, 'Taking a break from study' cards will be available in the Main Library study spaces. 

Simply enter the time you left, and if you have not returned within 1 hour, your belongings can be moved to one side of the desk and can be used by another library member. 

We appreciate any comments about this trial - please email llc@dundee.ac.uk to let us know.  

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), November 2019

Our reply

Cleaning supplies are available for you to use and are located in our study areas at all library sites.  Colleagues at UoD IT also have a regular cleaning rota for our PC screens and keyboards and recycling facilities are available throughout the library.

Lorna Thomson, Principal Library Assistant (Service Delivery) October 2019

Our reply

The Main Library now has laptops available for use in the library.  They are located in area 1B beside the bank of lockers. 

Lorna Thomson, Principal Library Assistant (Service Delivery), October 2019

Our reply

There are many different ways to search for articles. Contact our E-resources team by email -  llc-eresources@dundee.ac.uk for assistance with our electronic resources.

Helen Olafsson, Research Resources Manager, September 2019

Our reply

Thank you for raising this concern.  We have contacted the management team at DUSA who apologise.

They propose to move the speakers on the Terrace and place a baffle wall behind them to deaden the sound. Also music will not be played outside until after 12 midnight and during our exam period there will be no outside music.

We hope these measures improve the situation.

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), September 2019

Our reply

We forwarded this feedback to our partners in Precinct Services who manage our toilet facilities, who advise - 

We trialed 2 x different holders and roll on ground level this year primarily as a means of saving on paper usage. These were single sheet rolls as opposed to the jumbo roll when you can pull the roll and cut at various lengths. Negative feedback received for single sheet dispenser and we reverted back to the jumbo roll approximately one month ago.

If you experience any issues or a faulty dispenser, please let us know  - llc@dundee.ac.uk

Lorna Thomson, Principal Library Assistant (Service Delivery) June 2019

Our reply

The Broughty Ferry Beach Club located on the 1st floor of the Main Library is our 'Chill out' area. 

Take a break from your studies, relax and  browse our Leisure Reading Collection.

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian  June 2019

Our reply

The opinions of our customers really matter to us, as your comments and suggestions help us improve your library experience. You can provide feedback on our services at any time. 

Our Engagement and Consultation strategy details the variety of consultative methods we use to encourage feedback and suggestions throughout the year.

Lorna Thomson, Principal Library Assistant (Service Delivery) May 2019

Our reply

Mobile device chargers (Apple and Android) are available to borrow and available at all library sites.  Please ask a member of staff. Remember the library app is available for both Apple and Android devices providing quick access to library and related services

Lorna Thomson, Principal Library Assistant (Service Delivery) May 2019

Our reply

During the revision and exam period, the Watson Watt IT Teaching Room (Area 1A), the Strawberry Bank Ideas Lab (Area 1B) and the Fairlie Meeting Room (Area 2A) in the Main Library, are available as extra study space.  

Christine Backer, Assistant Director (Service Delivery) April 2019

Our reply

We have a Leisure Reading Collection housed in the Broughty Ferry Beach Club on the 1st floor of the Main Library.  A collection of various genres including the latest bestsellers, crime fiction, science fiction also non-fiction -biographies, health, sport and travel.  Items can be borrowed and requested in the usual manner.

Suggestions for the collection can be emailed to morebooks@dundee.ac.uk with 'Leisure Books' in the subject line.

Yvonne McKenzie, Assistant Librarian, Research and Resources,  April 2019

Our reply

This service is available from our colleagues at UoD IT.

You can check the availability of PC's anywhere on campus.

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian March 2019

Our reply

Apologies for the fact that the taps are unreliable at the moment.

Christine Backler Assistant Director (Service Delivery) March 2019

Our reply

Thank you for your suggestion. 

We have bought 16 LED desk lamps, inclusive of USB charging ports in the bases and they will be deployed on the top floor desks immediately inside the doors into area 2B Main Library. They switch on by touching the little green light on the base. Tapping the base again will dim the light in several stages, and the head of the lamp can be angled to direct the light where you most need it.

Christine Backler Assistant Director (Service Delivery) March 2019

Our reply

Thank you.  We really appreciate this positive feedback about our services.

Our online 'Ask the library' service is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.  

Our daytime service is monitored by experienced local staff in the Library and Learning Centre. The out-of-hours service complements our existing staffed daytime service. Co-operative librarians from the U.S. and U.K. answer live chat enquiries out-of-hours. This has proved a valuable and important service to distance learners, and effectively means the Library & Learning Centre here at Dundee is available to answer enquiries 24/7 every day of the year, across different time zones. 

Scott McGregor Liaison Librarian February 2019

Our reply

Thank you for your suggestion.  

To allow fair use and flexibility for all our users, we have different loan periods for our lockers.  We have a total of 196 lockers in the Main Library and only a quarter of these are 24 hour loans.

David Hart Service Delivery Librarian February 2019

Our reply

We apologise that you are finding it uncomfortable in the Main Library,  during this cold weather spell.

We continue to work with our colleagues with Estates & Buildings as the heating and ventilation is centrally controlled.   In the meantime, please help yourself to a blanket, available at the InfoZone.

Christine Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery) February 2019

Our reply

Our Inter Library Loan (ILL) service is available to all students and staff when you need a book, journal or journal article not held in our collection for private study or research for a non-commercial purpose. We obtain ILLs from a number of sources, the chief source being the British Library.

Applications are made online via Library Search - remember to sign in to access our online form.  For additional information, please see https://www.dundee.ac.uk/library/services/moreservices/inter-libraryloans/ 

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian January 2019

Our reply

We are aware of this ongoing issue, especially during revision and exam periods. 

Please be considerate to your fellow students but not leaving your belongings for extended periods.

We appreciate your co-operation. 

Christine Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery) November 2018

Our reply

Sorry you are feeling cold. 

Whilst we continue to work with our colleagues in Estates & Buildings, blankets are available from the Main Library InfoZone.

Christine Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery) November 2018

Our reply

We have a total of 196 lockers in the Main Library with different loan periods to allow flexibility: 1 day, 4 weeks and 12 weeks (for postgraduates).  Our 4 and 12 week loan lockers can be reserved through Library Search.

Our Kirkcaldy campus library has 16 lockers and the Robertson Trust Medical Library at Ninewells Hospital has 15. 

Christine Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery) November 2018

Our reply

Thank you.  We really appreciate this positive feedback about our services.

Have your say - we welcome your feedback at any time.  Your comments and suggestions help us improve your library experience.

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian October 2018

Our reply

For our students who do not visit the campus often, please contact our Liaison team who will be happy to arrange an appointment with you when you are on campus or have a Skype call with you.  Remember you can always contact us via our 24/7 online CHAT service or by email and telephone.

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian October 2018

Our reply

Staplers are available in the Reprographics area in GB and behind the InfoZone in GA.  They are also available by the printers in areas 1A and 2A.  If they run out of staples, please ask a member of staff at the InfoZone.

Lorna Thomson, Senior Library Assistant (Service Delivery) October 2018

Our reply

Continuing improvements from last academic year - new carpeting, seats, desks and lockers - a group study room is now available for booking via LibCal.  The Kirkcaldy Campus Library can be used as a study space by any UoD student or library member.  Items requested can also be sent here for collection.

Dawn Adams, Liaison Librarian (Kirkcaldy Campus Library) October 2018

Our reply

Did you know about our morebooks recommendation service?

If you need a book for your studies, coursework, dissertation or exams which the library doesn't have or if you think an extra copy or an eBook would be helpful, please let us know - email morebooks@dundee.ac.uk

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian October 2018

Our reply

The heating and ventilation in the Library are controlled centrally by Estates and Buildings. We do not have an air conditioning system as such – the fans you can hear in the ceiling are ‘air handling’ units which provide a flow of fresh air throughout the building. The problem could be as much to do with draughts from these fans, if you are sitting just beneath one. There are other areas in the Library which may be warmer, so you may find an immediate improvement just by moving desks to another location. As you can appreciate there is a regulatory requirement to provide a minimum amount of fresh air through the ventilation systems. Whilst we continue to work with our colleagues in Estates & Buildings, blankets are available from the Main Library InfoZone for you to cosy up with.

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery) September 2018

Our reply

The Main Library cafe is managed by DUSA and this feedback has been forwarded to the Food and Beverage Manager. 

Lorna Thomson, Senior Library Assistant (Service Delivery) September 2018

Our reply

Mobile device chargers (Apple and Android) are now available to borrow, please ask a member of staff at any library site. Remember to download the library app for quick access to library and related services.

Lorna Thomson, Senior Library Assistant (Service Delivery) July 2018

Our reply

In response to representation from two student groups, the Main Library will be open everyday to midnight until 31 August 2018.  Our normal semester opening hours commence on 1 September when the Main Library is open until 2.30am, 7 days a week

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery) June 2018

Our reply

An additional 36 lockers, similar in size to our lockers on the 1st floor, have been ordered for the Main Library.  These lockers will be a 1 day loan and you can ask a member of staff at the InfoZone for a key which will be issued to your library record.  Remember, you can also place a request for a Standard Loan (4 week) locker or if you are a post graduate, a locker in our Magdalen Green Postgraduate Suite.              Update 7 June 2018 - the lockers are now available, please ask a member of staff.

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery) May 2018

Our reply

Our colleagues at UoD IT do have a regular cleaning rota for our PC screens and keyboards.  Cleaning supplies are also available for you to use and are located in our study areas.  

Lorna Thomson, Senior Library Assistant (Service Delivery) April 2018

Our reply

This has also been raised at staff/student committees.  Another microwave for the Main Library cafe has been ordered and will be available very soon.                     Update 23 March 2018 - the microwave has arrived and is now available in the cafe.

Denise Jackson, Depute Director March 2018 

Our reply

After a series of student focus groups, Fife Campus has recently purchased updated books through a grant given to us by the Fife Endowment Fund.  These books are available for all students to request across all sites.  In addition, the Library has also purchased new editions to our literature as well.

Courtney Claunch, Senior Library Assistant, Fife Campus Library March 2018

Our reply

A directory of the all the Main Library facilities and resources is situated on the Ground Floor.  Our individual floor signs have been updated to include all rooms and also lists the subjects of the books available on the floor.  We have also displayed a detailed guide to subject classmarks on each floor.

Lorna Thomson, Senior Library Assistant (Service Delivery) March 2018

Our reply

Winter sun can be a problem! Blinds are scheduled to be fitted in Exchange Street, Strawberry Bank Ideas Lab and the Magdalen Green Postgraduate Suite in March 2018.

Update 6 March - Blinds are now in place - now all we need is the sun to come back!

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian February 2018 

Our reply

Yes we now have a list available which you can add your name to.  The lockers on the Ground Floor (GB) have also changed to 4 week loans.  Our 1 day loan laptop lockers are still available, please ask a member of staff at the InfoZone.

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian January 2018

 Can a microwave be provided in the Magdalen Green Postgraduate Suite? (Feedback from Students) 

​Yes, after a survey of over 130 Postgrad Students, a microwave is now available in the kitchen area of the suite.  We remind all users to keep the kitchen area including the fridge and microwave clean and tidy!  

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), Library & Learning Centre - December 2017​

Is there a waiting list for the  lockers in the Magdalen Green Postgraduate Suite? (Feedback from Students) 

​Yes, following feedback indicating that a waiting list would be a useful enhancement, we now have a list available at the InfoZone of the Main Library, which you can add your name to.  We have also changed the loan period to a rolling 12 weeks rather than a specific date (currently 15 December).  Hope this helps.

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian, Library & Learning Centre - November 2017 

Can the refurbished mid-floor of the Main Library be a Quiet Zone? (Feedback from Student Representative Council) 

​Yes, we have made the mid-floor of the Main Library a Quiet Zone. If you are not sure of the difference in our zones in the Main Library - Silent, Quiet and General Study, please see https://www.dundee.ac.uk/library/services/libraries/

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), Library & Learning Centre - October 2017​

With finals looming in September, can the Main Library's opening hours be extended? (Feedback from Medical School Council survey) 

​Working with your DUSA Exec team and Medical students, the Main Library will extend our opening hours until midnight from 28 August to 1 September.  Our normal semester opening hours commence on 2 September when the Main Library is open until 2.30am, 7 days a week. Update 18 August - We have extended this further, the Main Library will also be open to midnight from 21 to 25 August.

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), Library & Learning Centre - August 2017​

Robertson Trust Medical Library, Ninewells Hospital - You can not access the library after 5 pm, I suggest to install an ID pass (Feedback from online suggestion box)

​We already have this! Access control is in place for out-of-hours access at the Medical Library.  University of Dundee staff and students, and NHS Tayside members of the library can email Ninewells-Library@dundee.ac.uk to request that their ID card be activated for 24/7 access.

Andy Jackson, Learning and Teaching Librarian, Library & Learning Centre - June 2017 

During Exam Season it can sometime be hard to find a seat in Silent Sections​ (Comment from Annual Survey)

Our variable study areas on the Ground Floor of the Main Library (Wolfson Rooms 1, 2 and 3) have been changed to silent study until the end of Semester (26 May 2017).

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), Library & Learning Centre - April 2017​

Excellent service and nice facilities, easy system to understand; could possibly benefit from bean bags. (Feedback card) 

Our mid-floor refurbishment in the summer months includes many new features such as a space for relaxation breaks, more group study rooms with the latest technology, and a bookable creative space with flexible furniture.  

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian, Library & Learning Centre - March 2017

More fruit options in the cafe please i.e. watermelon (benefits include good for the brain) (Feedback card)

The cafe in the Main Library is operated and run by DUSA and this comment has been forwarded to the cafe management team at DUSA.

Lorna Thomson, Senior Library Assistant (Service Delivery), Library & Learning Centre - March 2017

There should be a hot water dispenser so we can bring milk, coffee etc. (Feedback card)

Unfortunately the microwave in the Main Library cafe was removed as it was broken beyond repair.  A new microwave has been ordered.  Additionally, as part of the mid-floor refurbishment this summer there will be a kitchen area which will include a tap that provides hot water for making tea/coffee etc. Update 23 March 2017 - a new microwave has arrived and is available in the Cafe.

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), Library & Learning Centre - March 2017

Library is always so cold (Feedback card)

Whilst we continue to work with our colleagues in Estates & Buildings to identify problem areas, blankets are available from the Main Library InfoZone for you to cosy up with! 

Chris Backler, Assistant Director (Service Delivery), Library & Learning Centre - March 2017​

A selection of fun reads not just degree related books (Comment from Annual Survey)

We have a student community bookshelf - "the little library"  - full of fun reads in Wolfson Room 2, Ground Floor, Main Library.  Please take a book and leave a book in return.

Iain Gillespie, Liaison Librarian, Library & Learning Centre - February 2017

Finding a space to do group work is often very difficult, with the pods being fully booked (Comment from Annual Survey)

Our Duncan of Jordanstone Library also has 3 bookable group study rooms and our mid-floor refurbishment in the summer will include additional group study rooms with the latest technology.

David Hart, Service Delivery Librarian, Library & Learning Centre - February 2017