Library services and support for students over the holidays

Hugh Owen Library opening hours over Christmas and New Year 

• The Hugh Owen Library is open 08:30-22:00 Mon-Sun until Sat 13 Dec (Level D open 24/7)
• Sun 14 Dec - Mon 22 Dec Level D is open 24/7 and Levels E & F open 08:30-20:00 
• Tues 23 Dec Level D is open 24/7 and Levels E & F open 08:30-16:30 
• Wed 24 Dec-Thurs 01 Jan 2026 Level D is open 24/7 
• Level D is always open 24/7 (Aber Card needed to enter and exit)

The Hugh Owen Library reopens 08:30 on Fri 02 Jan 2026 https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/about/opening-hours/ 

The Physical Sciences Library opening times are at: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/library-services/physicalscience/opening-times---physical-sciences-library/ 

Library books issued or renewed from Monday 8th December 2025 will be renewed until Monday 5th January. Requests can still be placed but items won’t be due until 5th January 2026.  Please email library@aber.ac.uk if you have any problems.

Level D (entrance floor) of the Hugh Owen Library is a warm space 24/7 so please do consider studying down on D if you are feeling cold.  If you are finding it colder to study on Level F (top floor), Level E (middle floor) or Iris de Freitas, please do consider wearing warmer clothes in these areas. Over the Christmas holidays while the rest of the Hugh Owen library will be closed, Level D of the Hugh Owen Library remains open and warm 24/7 Library opening times. 

Are you travelling away from Aberystwyth over the Christmas holidays? 

As an Aberystwyth University student you are able to apply for access to a number of other Higher Education libraries through the SCONUL Access scheme. This scheme allows you to continue your studies whilst you're away from Aber by using study spaces or library resources at a participating institution near you.  

It can take up to 4 weeks to process your application, so plan ahead and apply today: https://www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access 

Details of computer room opening hours over the Christmas vacation are at http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/computers/rooms/ 

Do you want to improve your revision skills and find more resources on preparing for exams including dealing with exam stress? For a wide range of resources to help you in your studies go to the AberSkills webpages.

If you’ve missed any of our workshops, all the resources are available on Blackboard 

Support materials to assist students with Blackboard Ultra are available on our webpages. The Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit have produced a Student Guide specifically for Ultra which can be downloaded.  

LibGuides: https://libguides.aber.ac.uk/home

The Library has subject guides that can help you find information for your studies, for assignments and for revision. With LibGuides, you can discover information about:

• electronic resources,
• e-books,
• key databases,
• study skills
• and much more, even when you're not studying on campus.

The alternative formats available through Blackboard Ally may help you with your revision.

While you are a student at Aberystwyth University you can download Microsoft Office for free via your office365 account. 

How? Here are the instructions: https://faqs.aber.ac.uk/en/1391

Setting up a VPN connection on your computer will enable you to access the university resources as if you were on campus.  More details on how to set up: Virtual Private Networking (VPN)  : Information Services , Aberystwyth University

LibGuides: https://libguides.aber.ac.uk/home

The Library has subject guides that can help you find information for your studies. With LibGuides, you can discover information about:

• electronic resources,
• e-books,
• key databases,
• study skills
• and much more, even when you're not studying on campus.

The Library guide for researchers https://libguides.aber.ac.uk/researchers provides information about services, guidance, and resources to support you at every stage of your research journey including:  

• Finding resources during planning and literature searching phases 
• Making publications or data Open Access 
• Managing your references 
• Helping with bibliometrics/altmetrics

To access, go to https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/past-papers/ and choose the module from your department list. Past papers are available for most modules for the past 5 years. You will be asked to login with your AU username and password to view. 

If the past paper you want to view is not there, please request your department to make it available.  

A reminder that you should never share your passwords with anyone, whether in person, over the phone, or online. If you have any concerns or suspect that someone else may be using your account, please contact IT Services as soon as possible: https://faqs.aber.ac.uk/en/93 

The Christmas period historically sees a large increase in phishing and scam email attempts. Please remain vigilant during this time, and ensure that you report any concerning emails using the new reporting method: https://faqs.aber.ac.uk/en/9366 

Your username and password give you privileged access to Aberystwyth University systems, many of which contain personal and sensitive data, and you have a responsibility to keep your credentials secure.  Compromised user accounts risk both your and others personal data and well as wider University digital services.

• For advice on how to check if an email you have received is genuine, please see https://faqs.aber.ac.uk/en/394  
• If your account is compromised it will be locked to prevent malicious use.  
• If you think your email account may have been compromised or require further advice, please contact it@aber.ac.uk

The final examination timetable for semester one is available on the timetabling web site. For further guidance regarding examinations, please contact your departmental examination officer. 

IT and Library Service Desks