Library Services Access Rules - Ministerial Decree 1 April 2021 and Legislative Decree 22 April 2021

The University’s library services are considered essential in supporting teaching and research activities and the right to higher education.

Based on the dispositions of Legislative Decree of 22 April 2021 and the fact that Emilia-Romagna is now back in the “yellow zone”, from the week commencing on 26 April, 1-meter-distancing seating rules will be gradually reintroduced in the reading rooms.

Opening Hours and Users

Due to the health emergency and the measures in place to manage the safe use of the facilities, library services and opening hours are organised as follows:

• when Red Zone rules apply to the Region or the areas in which the libraries are located, services to University external users are suspended and libraries are open only to internal users (students, teachers, fellow researchers, specialisation school students, scholarship holders, contract workers, PhD students, administrative staff)
• from Monday to Friday library opening hours normally include mornings (indicatively 9.00 - 14.00), and up to five afternoons per week (until no later than 19.00)
• some libraries, if already applicable, continue to be open also on Saturday, in the morning and, where possible, also in the afternoon (until no later than 19.00)
• Sunday all libraries are closed.

Loan periods are extended until the end of the service suspension period; therefore, external users will not incur penalties for late returns until after the services resume.

For further information about opening hours and accessing areas and services, please refer to the website of the relevant library.

Accessing Services

To access libraries, users must first register via QR Code and wash their hands with the sanitiser provided.

• Document Loans and Returns
  Loan and return services are provided to University internal users as per usual. External users may access the services subject to booking via the Affluences app or website. Facilities, dates, opening hours and access methods are published on the websites of the individual libraries.
• Loan Requests and Extensions
  Loan requests and extensions can be made only remotely (via telephone, email, online services).
• Library Consulting and Reading
  Consulting and reading services at the library are available in designated areas and subject to the rules that ensure safe distancing, in line with the applicable protocol. These services are available subject to booking via the Affluences app or website. Facilities, dates, opening hours and access methods are published on the websites of the individual libraries.

Affluences

The Affluences app is free, has no advertising, and can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.

For anyone who does not wish to download the app, the Affluences website allows to locate libraries and study rooms and access the same services and information provided by the app.

More information about Affluences.