The library is here for you over the Christmas vacation, whether you are on or off campus. From building access to finding resources off campus, here is everything you need to know about using the library throughout the Christmas break.
Library sites and building access
You can find the most up-to-date information on our opening times here.
Information Commons (IC) will be open 24/7 throughout the Christmas and New Year period apart from being closed for all users between 11:59pm on Sunday 4 January to 8am on Monday 5 January whilst essential maintenance work is being carried out.
Western Bank Library and Health Sciences Library (Royal Hallamshire Hospital) will close at 5pm on Wednesday 24 December and reopen at the usual opening times of 9am on Monday 5 January.
The Diamond will close at 6pm on Wednesday 24 December and will reopen at 7am on Monday 5 January.
Please note that Western Bank Library and the Health Sciences Library will be closed from 12pm on Monday 15 December and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 16 December. The Information Commons will also be open but unstaffed by library staff during this time.
Vacation loans and borrowing library material
Christmas vacation loans will start from 9am on 15 December 2025. Items issued or renewed after that date will be due on 21 January 2026. For more information on borrowing material over the vacation period.
Please note that any requested items not collected by Wednesday 24 December at 4pm will be unavailable for collection at Western Bank Library and Health Sciences Library until Monday 5 January. Requested items from the Information Commons will be available to collect across the Christmas vacation. Please note that any requests made between Wednesday 24th December - Monday 5th January will not be processed for collection.
Interlibrary Requests over the Christmas vacation
If you have been getting used to faster turnaround times with the interlibrary request service (typically, the majority of journal articles are supplied within 4 hours), please note that during the Christmas period, there are likely to be delays in response to requests for content with possible delays into the early new year. This is due to other institutions who supply the content also being closed or operating a reduced service over that period. The impact will be particularly noticeable with requests for journal articles. If you feel this might affect you then please consider making your requests early and, at latest, during the week commencing 15 December.
Online support
Library staff will not be available during the Christmas vacation (from 5pm on Friday 24th December - 9am Monday 5th January), however, our online support tools are easily accessible:
- Library Help FAQs
- Library eResources are accessible from home and available throughout the vacation period.
- Your Subject Guide contains links to your subject specific eResources and databases.
- Study Skills @ Sheffield - Develop your study skills and find online resources and support
Have a wonderful Christmas vacation, from all of your library team!
