Facilities in our libraries

Kingston University library buildings are open for all our learners and the wider community.

To help manage building capacity throughout the academic year the following protocols apply:

12 June 2023 to 14 April 2024: designated study spaces (limited capacity) will be available to visitors. For more information, see our library services for visitors page.

15 April to Sunday 2 June 2024: as these are key academic weeks only Kingston University students, staff or invited guests are allowed to use our study desks / study areas. Visitors are welcome to view our buildings and use our cafes but not to use study areas.

As a reference-only visitor, you can access print resources, for example, books, journals and use study spaces in the library abiding by the library policies, agreements and regulations.

Students from schools and colleges are welcome but those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, see our library services for visitors page.

We do not offer any print or copy services to visitors or external library members.

We cannot offer access to computing facilities or e-resources to external library members.

Kingston University provides wireless internet access to visitors. For more details view our Information and Technology Services WiFi page.

This information about the facilities available in our libraries is for special members and visitors. Current students will find information about computers, seminar rooms and graduate centres on My Kingston.

Study zones

There are different zones within our libraries so you can choose an area to suit the way you study.

Different students have different preferences for their study environment; some like to have a little background noise, others require complete silence in order to concentrate on their work.

Please choose your study area carefully so that you do not disturb others. All zones (Group Study, Whispered Study and Silent Study) are clearly marked with signs.

Watching DVDs and videos

There is an extensive cinema collection at Penrhyn Road and Knights Park Dame Elizabeth Esteve-Coll Centre Libraries. You can watch DVDs on computers in the library or borrow them to watch at home. A few films are still available on video cassette only and a viewing station is available for watching these. Please note that we do not lend headphones, however some PCs are equipped with them.

Films based on a work of literature are shelved with the literature so it is always a good idea to check on iCat first or ask a member of staff for help if you are not sure.

All DVDs are in locked cases and you need to unlock these before you can watch the DVD. Borrow the DVD from one of the self-service machines (even if you are going to watch the DVD in the library) and then swipe the case on the DVD unlocker located just outside the library entrance to unlock the case. There are stickers on the DVD cases and posters in the libraries to make this easier for you, or please ask a member of staff for help.

Listening to music

Most Windows PCs in the libraries can play CDs. There is also a record player on the first floor of Kingston Hill Library (Nightingale Centre) which can play records from our vinyl record collection.

For music work, we have a selection of Music Macs on the first floor of Kingston Hill Library (Nightingale Centre.) Headphones for the Music Macs can be borrowed from the library helpdesk on the ground floor.