Templeman Library tour

The Library is quieter earlier in the morning, getting busier from 11:00 onwards. It will usually become less busy by early evening.

If you have any concerns or experience any anxieties when using the Library and its services, please remember that we are here to support you.

We are open 24/7 during term time and for key study weeks throughout the year.

You can check online for the latest news about opening hours and building access:

KentOne card access

Your KentOne student card is also your library card. You will need to swipe this at the Library entrance gates to gain access and exit the building; use the printers and to borrow and return books.

Entrances

There are four entrances into the Templeman Library. The Main Entrance (with step-free access) is always open when the Library is.

The Library Road, Grimond and Terrace entrances are open 08:00 - 18:00 (Monday - Friday); 08:00 - 17:00 (Saturday & Sunday).

Floors and blocks

The Templeman Library has four floors: Ground Floor, Floor 1, Floor 2, and Floor 3 and is divided into four blocks, Block A, Block B, Block C and Block D.

The blocks are colour-coded to help you navigate the building, and there are floor directories and floor plans on display to help you find your way around the building.

The Main Entrance and the Library Road Entrance will bring you into the main Welcome Hall on the Ground Floor in Block C.

The Grimond Entrance and the Terrace Entrance will bring you into the Ground Floor in Block A.

Wayfinding and maps

You can use the large landscape wayfinding touchscreens in the Welcome Hall, close to the Library Road Entrance and the Terrace Entrance, and elsewhere in the building.

Pick up our Templeman Library map leaflet: Find your way around the Templeman Library from the Welcome Desk which will help you locate books, resources, and services.

Access to upper floors

To access Floors 1 – 3 use the staircases or lifts located in the Welcome Hall (Ground Floor, Block C).

For a quieter route to the upper floors, you can also use the staircase located in Block D. 

We have friendly and supportive staff who are always happy to help you.

Academic subject librarians

Our academic subject librarians are experts in academic information resources, library services, and digital literacy skills to help you make the most of the resources and expertise available to you at Kent.

Check our online guide for information about your subject librarian, how they can help you, and how to contact them:

IT & Library Support

There is plenty of online help with using our library services and setting up your devices, including getting access to IT systems and tools as you get started at Kent: 

• Telephone: 01227 82 4999 

• Email: helpdesk@kent.ac.uk 

• Visit our online help: Nexus Self Service for help and support. 

For face-to-face help check our support hours and pop in to see us at the Templeman Library. We are in Nexus, Ground Floor, D Block.   

There are a wide range of study spaces in the Library, including spaces with student PCs and different types of seating. Study spaces become quieter as you go up the building with silent study areas on Floors 2 and 3.

There are a range of individual study spaces, including desks, chairs, and study cubicles. The larger PC rooms on Floors 2 and 3 in Block A can get quite busy, but there are also lots of quieter cosy spaces where you can study and relax.

Individual study rooms called study carrels are available to all students and can be booked for up to 4 hours: each carrel is lockable and has a desk, chair, and lamp.

Chill Out Room

We have a dedicated Chill Out room on Floor 1 in Block D when you need a break from your studies.

Library Café  

The Library Café offers a more relaxed social study environment where you can buy drinks and food – this space can become quite busy throughout the day.

Group study

We also have group study rooms and study booths which can be booked if you are working on projects and assignments with other students.

Study space on Canterbury Campus

There are also a wide variety of study hubs and study lounges available across campus.

Find a PC

You can check the availability of student PCs on campus online to find free PCs close to your location.

Student laptop loans

You can borrow student loan laptops for up to 12 hours for use in the Templeman Library and across campus. You will need your KentOne card.

• Campus laptops: for use across campus
  Laptops from the self-service cabinet in the Library Café can be borrowed and used across the Canterbury campus.

• Library laptops: for Library use only
  Laptops from the self-service cabinet on Floor 2, Block C, are restricted for use in the Templeman Library only.

Find out more about student laptop loans.

How to use the printers

Select the file you want to print on a student PC and choose to print to either A4, A3, Colour A4 or Colour A3 printers. 

Go to the closest Print Copy Scan machine and scan your KentOne Card to log in. 

Use the screen on the machine to select and print your file and then hit the log out button when finished.

Find out more about student printing.

The Library provides essential study materials for your coursework, essays, and research. We have a huge range of books, journal articles, and online resources to help you.

Finding books and resources

Use LibrarySearch, our online catalogue, to search our print and digital collections of books, journals, and online resources, all from a single search box. Your results will provide details of a resource’s physical or virtual location and its availability:

Each book has a location reference called a classmark (like a postcode). ‘Find it on the shelf’ information in LibrarySearch gives you the Library block, floor, row and classmark where it is located.

You can use Find a Book kiosks located throughout the building, or access LibrarySearch through the Library website.

The Library aims to stock every item on your subject reading list – please explore what is available to borrow and do not buy any materials unless you are advised to do so by your lecturer.

More help with finding books and resources.

You can borrow up to 40 books or other items from the Templeman Library.

Any 3- or 7-day loan items you have borrowed will be automatically renewed unless someone else reserves them. If you need a book and all copies are on loan, you can place a reservation to get it!

Use a Borrow & Renew machine, available throughout the building, or ask for help at the IT & Library Support Desk.

You will need your KentOne card to borrow items from the library. Take your books to a Borrow and Renew kiosk, place the books on the machine and scan your KentOne Card to borrow the books or items.

Your Digital Library provides access to a wide range of high-quality digital resources 24 hours a day. You can study wherever you are and use the e-books, e-journals, databases, and newspapers to help you with your coursework and essays.

LibrarySearch Digital

LibrarySearch Digital only shows you the resources you can access online. You can use it to find e-books, journal articles, multimedia resources and other online resources.

Digital resources directory

The Digital Resources Directory lists the digital library databases the University subscribes to, plus some key Open Access resources.

Subject guides

Our team of academic librarians have produced a range of subject guides introducing you to recommended books, databases, and other academic resources for your subject area.

If your subject area isn't listed please get in touch and we will get back to you.

Find out more about subject guides.

Library tools and apps

The Library provides a range of library discovery tools and apps to help you find and access the content you need.

• LibKey Nomad and Browzine provide quick and easy access to journal articles.
• Libby provides free access to magazines, e-books, and audiobooks - and there is a massive range of titles and genres to choose from.
• Kanopy is a free video streaming service where you can find movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films, and lots more.
• Pressreader is a new service which we are trialling this year - it provides free unlimited access to 7,000+ digital newspapers and magazines.