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Disturbance
If you wish to report a disturbance between 5pm to 8am please talk to our security staff at the Drill Hall Library entrance.
Library Services
Web site search
Virtual tour
What you need to know
Borrowing Books
When you borrow books
Your library account will have a limit on the number of items you can borrow at the same time, this limit is set by your university.
The books you have borrowed will automatically renew on your account unless someone else places a reservation on them.
If the book is reserved by another user you will receive a recall notice via email asking you to return the book by the due date shown on your account.
If you do not return a recalled book we will assume it has been lost and you will receive an invoice for the full cost of a replacement book.
Please ensure you regularly check your library account. If you notice any issues, contact us as soon as possible by emailing dhlhelp@medway.ac.uk
Payments for lost or damaged books can be paid online. Please visit your university website.
Photography or filming in the library
The taking of photographs or filming is only permitted with the permission of the Library Manager or their designated representative. Before visiting the library with the intention to film or take photographs, you will need to make a request for permission.
Requests for permission should be submitted at least five working days in advance. While we welcome applications, we must consider the needs of our users to study in a quiet and undisturbed environment.
You will be required to complete an application including a risk assessment in order for your request to be considered. This is an essential part of our record keeping and forms an integral part of our health and safety and duty of care requirements and our space management process.
For more information regarding our application process please email dhlhelp@medway.ac.uk.
Looking for a job?
Did you know that you can register with the University at Medway Partners Student Jobs Shops or Temp agencies for roles across all campuses. For more details, please click the links below:
Library Tours
Accompanied Tours for New Students and staff.
Tours of the Drill Hall library includes, what services are available to you, library orientation and how to find useful information on the Drill Hall library website. These bookable 20 minutes tours for up to 10 people can be conducted by library staff between 09:00 – 11:00 and 15:00–16:30 Monday – Friday
Self-Guided Tours and Orientation for new Students and staff.
Familiarise yourself with the library from the comfort of your home or office using the inks below.
- Virtual tour
- Virtual Orientation
- How to find a book
- Reserving Books
- Subject Librarian Support
- IT Support, Wi-Fi and printing
- Library Academic and Wellbeing Events
Drill Hall History Tours
The Drill Hall Library has a rich History and staff are happy to conduct accompanied 20-minute tours for up to 20 visitors when the library is not as busy with students.
To book a tour, please email your request to dhl-help@medway.ac.uk with your preferred dates, times and number of participants. You will receive a confirmation once a date and time has been allocated.
Archibald Hay Mess Café
The Archibald Hay Mess is our popular café area. Here you can purchase and eat a variety of hot and cold food during term time. There are also microwaves available for heating your own food.
Hot food is not permitted within the library so please only consume hot foods within the cafe area.
This facility is usually closed out of term time but there are vending machines for snacks and drinks available when the cafe is closed.
Membership Schemes
New members, please check the details of each scheme details using the link below before visiting.
During period of high demand on library services and study spaces, we reserve the right to suspend all new Public Access applications.
All new applications for Public Access membership will be suspended from 4 March to 14 June 2024.
Current membership schemes
- Alumni
- Clinical Access
- Public Access
- Sconul Scheme
Medway Postgrad Room
The Postgraduate study room DC118 on the first floor of the library provides a dedicated space for all Medway postgraduate students (both taught and research) to study and network.
Please ask a member of staff at reception how to access this room.
Accessibility
University Student Support Teams
Each of the Universities at Medway institutions has a student support team. To find out what they can do for you check their webpages.
Parking
Blue badge holders are automatically allowed access to the car park without a university parking permit. Designated parking bays are to the left of the main entrance and you must display your blue badge on your dashboard.
Lifts
Lifts provide access to the mezzanine study levels and first floor study rooms. Please ask reception if you need access to A block teaching rooms.
Toilets
Accessible toilets are located throughout the library.
Computers and Software
We provide a range of hardware and software to support access to our systems. For example the group zone has 8 accessible and height adjustable desks, one of which has a large format screen and keyboard. In software all of the Microsoft Ease of Access features have been checked.
Family Study Room
Our Family Study Room is located on the ground floor of the library in room DC016 and can be accessed from the Group Zone.
The maximum room capacity is 3 adults and up to 9 children.
Students and staff of the Universities at Medway bringing children (under 18 years of age) into the library with them must sign in at reception and ensure that they comply with the Library Rules and Regulations and Terms of Use for the Family Study Room.
Parents with children may also use the Group Zone, but must not use their university login to log children onto any of the library’s PCs.
The library is accessible to students with children 7 days a week.
Monday-Friday: 08:00–19:00 Weekends: 09:00-17:00
DA002, DA004, DA005 Bookable Presentation Practice and Open Access Study Rooms
These rooms provides an ideal space to practice your presentation skills.
DA004 and DA005 can be booked during Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 in two hour time slots by visiting our Reception desk or by emailing dhlhelp@medway.ac.uk or calling 01634 883878.
Occupancy of these rooms are limited to 10 students at any one time and are for Academic use only.
DA002 is an Open Access Study room so is available Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 on a first come, first served basis with no need to book. It can hold up to 3 separate groups of 6 students