UKWA available in reading rooms again
By Jason Webber, Web Archive Engagement Manager, The British Library
Much of the UK Web Archive content is only available in the reading rooms of UK Legal Deposit Libraries as current legislation regulates access. All libraries were closed for many months during the COVID-19 lockdown, however, a phased reopening has begun.
Below is some basic information of what current access is available at Legal Deposit Libraries with links to more detail. Note opening times were correct at the time of publishing this article, library websites should be checked for current opening times.
British Library
London, St Pancras
Tuesday – Saturday 11.00 – 15.00
Boston Spa
Tuesday – Friday 11.00 – 15.00
You’ll need to pre-book online for whatever you would like to see at the Library. At the moment you can pre-book:
National Library of Scotland
www.nls.uk/using-the-library/opening-hours
Edinburgh reading rooms
Our Edinburgh reading rooms have reopened to existing and new library card holders, on a pre-booked basis only, with revised opening hours. Readers must book and preorder items 24 hours in advance.
General Reading Room and Special Collections Reading Room:
Tuesday-Saturday, 10.00-16.00
Kelvin Hall
We anticipate that the Library at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, will reopen around mid-September.
National Library of Wales
www.library.wales/visit/before-your-visit/opening-times
The Reading Room is open to the public with a restricted service. You will have to book your place online before your visit. For more details on this and to read strict guidelines regarding the nature of the restricted service and what is expected of you go to Guidelines on re-opening.
(Reading Rooms only)
Monday - Friday: 10:00-12.30 and 13.30-16.00
Saturday: Closed
Bodleian Library
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/using/reading-rooms
The Bodleian Libraries have begun a phased reopening to staff, students and Bodleian Reader Card holders.
To help us keep you safe, and make sure we follow government and University guidelines, you'll need to book your visit in advance.
Weston Library (and several others)
Monday - Friday 1000-1600
Cambridge University Libraries
https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/full-opening-hours
Cambridge University Library is now open for limited services from Monday-Friday. Book a visit to view non-borrowable material in the Main reading room or a Special Collections reading room. Please read more about our phased reopening of the UL and Faculty and Departmental Libraries.
Monday-Friday 10:15 -15:45 for limited services.
Trinity College, Dublin
www.tcd.ie/library/opening-hours/
Library reading rooms are now open for current staff and students. Face coverings are required. "Click and Collect" items will now be delivered to Library buildings. Goldsmith Hall is no longer used for collections or returns.
Monday-Friday 0930-1700