Thanks for getting in touch with us about the opening hours of the Marj. At present, we don’t plan to extend the opening hours of the Marjorie Robinson Library Rooms. While we know these are busy times, our data shows that after 5pm there continues to be space available in the Philip Robinson and Walton Libraries for everyone who wishes to study later in the day.

Given the Marjorie Robinson Library Rooms are very close to the Philip Robinson Library, the 24-hour computer clusters in the Student Union and Old Library, keeping it open into the evening for a relatively small number of students would not be the best use of resources—financially or environmentally.

That said, we know many students, including yourself, love the style and atmosphere of Marjorie Robinson, so we’re bringing similar features to our other libraries. 

In the Philip Robinson Library, we’ve created a new vibrant social learning spaces on level 2, designed with contemporary furniture. Following student feedback, we have also added more single study booths to Levels 3 and 4. 

At the Walton Library, we’ve recently opened The Glen, a newly refurbished area that has transformed an old computer cluster into a bright, comfortable space offering a rich mix of 40 individual and group study spaces.

We’re currently exploring ways that we can better communicate the variety of study spaces on offer in the Philip Robinson Library, as student feedback tells us that there is not full awareness of the different options to suit your study needs across the 4 floors of the building.

Our “Study Well” initiative will also return for the January exam time, and staff will be on hand to help you find a study space. Although the Philip Robinson Library can feel busy or be perceived to be “full”, it’s rare for its occupancy to exceed 95%. We actively monitor usage so we can manage the different spaces effectively and plan appropriate opening hours for our different sites.

Best regards, 

Susan Willcox, 

Assistant Librarian, Customer Services