Library Opening Hours

Our Live Chat services are changing leading up to the Labour Day Weekend.

Throughout the 2021 lockdown, the University has maintained safe places to study on campus, including at the Fisher and Law Libraries, the Quarter, Camden Commons, and the Carslaw Learning Hub. During the upcoming mid-semester break and in the lead up to the long weekend, University and Library staff have been given two days concessional leave, so that they can take a well-deserved break. 

The changes for each location and Live Chat are as follows:

Fisher and Law Libraries
Open from: 12pm – 8pm, Thursday 30th September – Monday 4th October

The Quarter (Postgraduate coursework students), Camden Commons, and Carslaw Learning Hubs
Open from: 6am – 11pm, Everyday

Library virtual services will be unavailable Thursday 30th September and Friday 1st October.
Live Chat normal hours of operation will resume from 5 October – check out our hours here.


You can still get online assignment support or help through our online subject guides.  

You can also submit a question and receive an answer by email; however, there may be a delay in our response during this time and we appreciate your patience. 

Library closedown – what you need to know

Sunset behind the Quad

Just like the University of Sydney, the Library will be closed from Wednesday 23 December 2020 to Wednesday 6 January 2021. Here are a few answers to questions you might have about the Library closedown.


When does the Library close?

The Library closes on Tuesday 22 December. Individual libraries and their information desks close at slightly different times (most at 4pm or 5pm that day) – check the exact times on our Library Locations page.


When does the Library reopen?

We’ll be back on Thursday 7 January 2021. You can enter any of our 24/7 spaces (Fisher Library, Law Library, Bosch Commons, Camden Commons or the Quarter) at 8am that day.

All other Library locations (SciTech, Conservatorium of Music and ThinkSpace) open at 10am. We will be returning to our standard out-of-semester hours in January.


Can I enter any Library spaces with my swipe card?

No. All of the Library’s physical locations are closed during this time.


What if I need to return an item?

All borrowed items with due dates that would have fallen within the closedown have been automatically renewed to 7 January 2021, when we reopen.

If you still want to return an item during the closedown, you can do so via our external returns chute in the Fisher or SciTech Library.


Can I use the Library website?

Definitely! If you are a current student or staff member of the University of Sydney, your membership of the Library provides access to our extensive online collections, electronic resources and databases. You can also reserve or renew items.


Can I contact Library staff?

Not during the closedown, as we’re on holiday too. We will respond to queries after 7 January 2021, when we return.

If you need something urgent during this time, please contact Campus Security who may be able to provide assistance during the closedown.


Does the Library have anything exciting planned in 2021?

Yes we do! For starters, we’ll be running the biggest Welcome Week program ever in Semester 1, and launching the new Susan Wakil Health Building Library in February. Be the first to know what’s happening by following us online:

In the meantime, why not listen to our final PeerPod of the year: Episode 19 – PLA Insider – Tips For The Holiday Break! for ideas on what you can do with a summer in Sydney and Australia in general!

From all the Library staff – we wish you a safe and happy holiday and we look forward to seeing you in January.

Nursing Library moving to a new home

Nursing Library

Today (Friday 27 November) is a significant day for the University of Sydney Nursing Library – this is its last day in Mallett Street on the second floor of the old Bonds Factory (originally built in 1917). After its doors close today, the library’s collections and staff will be relocating to the new Susan Wakil Health Building Library, opening in February 2021.

The Nursing Library housed the collections for nursing and midwifery, as well as material on the social sciences and biology. Students enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and large space to spread out and focus.

Take a trip down memory lane

Watch this virtual tour of the Nursing Library (from 2012), featuring a young librarian who might now be one of the Library’s directors!

Learn about the history of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Sydney

Photo gallery

Extended open hours

The Library will be extending its opening hours for five weeks, from 9 November to 12 December, to support our community during the examination period.

See the full list of Library locations and current opening hours.

Summary of changes

From Monday 9 November 2020, the Library will be updating the following services:

  • Extended opening and information desk hours Monday to Friday at Fisher, Law, SciTech, the Conservatorium, Health Sciences and Nursing libraries.
  • Extended information desk hours on weekends at Fisher Library.
  • Live Chat will operate 10am to 10pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 8pm Fridays and 10am to 2pm on weekends.

ThinkSpace and Rare Books & Special Collections will continue to be accessible by appointment only. Academic Liaison Librarians will be available for in-person and online research consultations by appointment.

Library locations are only accessible by currently enrolled University of Sydney students and staff. You will still need to swipe in with your Student or Staff ID card when entering our spaces.

We ask visitors to our Library locations to continue to follow our Conditions of Entry to help us all stay COVID safe on campus.

University of Sydney Library sites and services across campuses are reopening!

library shelves and books

The University of Sydney Libraries have begun to reopen with face-to-face services. Access to the Library continues to be for University of Sydney Staff and Students only, and Conditions of Entry apply in all locations. For the most up to date information on Conditions of Entry and to view a full list of services and opening hours, please refer to our website.

We are excited to see you soon in library locations across campuses!

You will be able to speak with library staff at information desks only, these areas are set up with protective screens and for the safety of everyone we still need to keep our 1.5m distance. Please do not approach staff who are working in other areas of the Library. You will be required to swipe your staff or student card and in some locations, register with a QR code at entry.

A brief overview of changes to hours and services that have been confirmed are as follows:

  • Fisher library will once again offer face-to-face services at the information desk Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm
  • SciTech, the Conservatorium, Health Sciences and Nursing libraries will open Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm with face-to-face services at the information desk during these times
  • Peer Learning Advisors will return to the Quarter (Postgraduate coursework student study space) and Camden Commons to offer face-to-face support

We are still here to help online!

  • Reach out to us via Live Chat if you need assistance.
  • Research Consultations – online meetings with Academic Liaison Librarians
  • PeerConnect – 1:1 video chat with a Peer Learning Advisor
  • Virtual Information Desk – face-to-face virtual help in the Fisher foyer

We’re looking forward to this step towards a more familiar Library environment!

For the most up to date information and what you need to know before you visit the Library, please see https://library.sydney.edu.au/help/covid-19/

library shelves and books

Some Library spaces will reopen on Monday 15 June

reopen announcement image Fisher Library

For the most up to date information and what you need to know before you visit the Library, please see our COVID-19 page.  

The University of Sydney Library is happy to announce that five library spaces will be reopening for University staff and students from Monday 15 June 2020.

At this time access to Library spaces is limited to University staff and students via swipe with valid University ID only. 

  • Fisher and Law libraries will be open from 8am – 6pm every day.
  • Bosch Commons, Camden Commons and The Quarter will be open 24/7.  

As we open Library spaces and re-introduce services, the health and safety of students and staff are essential. Restrictions will be in place to ensure hygiene and 1.5m physical distancing at all times. Be considerate of the people around you and the spaces you occupy.

Fisher and Law libraries, Bosch and Camden Commons and the Quarter will open with access to study spaces, meeting rooms, books, journals and DVDs.

Online and modified services will continue to replace face-to-face services at this time.

  • Chat Now – live online chat service with Library staff
  • Research Consultations – online meetings with Academic Liaison Librarians 
  • PeerConnect – 1:1 video chat with a Peer Learning Advisor
  • Virtual Information Desk – face-to-face virtual help in the Fisher foyer

For a full list of available services, please see the COVID-19 page.