LCF Moves East: Important information about LCF facilities and Library closure, summer 2023
- Written byLondon College of Fashion
- Published date 14 May 2023
Please note: this information is subject to updates. Please check back on this information for all the latest updates about LCF access this summer.
Updated 12 July
As London College of Fashion, UAL prepares to move its undergraduate and postgraduate courses to the new East Bank campus, the current sites will close from Friday 16 June to students however, the library at John Princes Street will remain open until Friday 14 July. Please carefully read the information below which details the continued access to Library resources and support this summer.
For returning undergraduate and postgraduate students for the start of the new academic year 2023-24 this September, please arrive at the new East Bank campus; London College of Fashion, UAL, 105 Carpenters Road, Stratford, E20 2AR. Follow our guide who walks you through the route from Stratford tube station, through Westfields, onto the Park, and to our East Bank campus entrance in this video 'How to get to LCF's East Bank campus from Stratford tube station'.
LCF library at John Princes Street
The LCF library will be open as normal until Friday 30 June. From Saturday 1 July the library will be open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday only, until Friday 14 July.
To enable our library collections, fixtures, and fittings to be relocated to our new building, LCF’s library will close on 14 July.
There will be no visitor access from Friday the 30 of June.
We aim to minimise any inconvenience to our library users and the following information outlines how students can continue to access resources and support during the closure.
How can I access the library during the closure?
During our closure, staff and students with valid ID cards can continue to access other UAL college libraries for borrowing and returning library items. Please check their opening hours and locations.
You can use the Library Search to search the catalogue, check your library account, access eBooks, and find articles and resources on your subject. Library Search also provides access to:
- UAL Digital Collections
- UAL Research online
- UAL museum and art Collections catalogues
- The British Library
- Library Hub Discover (a database of UK and Irish national academic catalogues)
SCONUL Access is a scheme that enables library users to access other libraries. The scheme covers most of the university libraries in the UK and Ireland. UAL staff, postgraduate researchers, full-time postgraduate students and part-time distance learning or placement students can borrow from other member libraries. Visit the SCONUL Access website to join the scheme and find out which universities libraries you can use.
How can I return LCF library items during the closure?
Borrowed LCF items can be returned to the library at John Princes Street before 14 July. After this date, books can be returned to any other UAL library and will be removed from your record immediately.
If you have difficulty visiting UAL libraries you can return your loans via a free post service in the UK – contact us on ASK for details. Postal returns will be accepted by any other UAL Library.
How can I borrow items during the closure?
All LCF staff and students will have an increased borrowing allowance of up to 40 items from 12 June. Please borrow any books from the LCF library that you may want to use over the summer before 14 July. You will be able to keep any books from LCF library until 25 September. Don’t forget that all our e-books will still be available online and you can still borrow items from any other UAL library.
For inter-library loans, staff and researchers can continue to request articles and books from other libraries by logging onto your account in Library Search and selecting ‘Your interlibrary loan requests’. You will need to specify which other UAL college library you would like to collect your books from.
Can I reserve items during the closure?
During the closure, LCF’s library will be removed from the college library collection list when you place a reservation however, you can reserve and borrow items from other UAL libraries. Reservations and requests for LCF books, including our Special Collections, will not be possible after 18 June. You can still reserve and borrow items from other UAL Libraries. During the closure period, LCF users have an increased reservation allowance – you will be able to reserve up to 10 items at a time.
How can I contact Library Services during the closure?
If you have any questions, visit arts.ac.libanswers.com/ and please check our FAQs, or message us on chat or email us.
More information on other Libraries in London
The Wellcome Library - the collections of the Wellcome Library contain historical and contemporary books, artworks, archives, and manuscripts exploring personal and cultural relationships with health and medicine. The Wellcome Collection contains books, journals, paintings, drawings, photographs, and digital images and the memberships enable you to use the Collections.
The National Art Library- the National Art Library holds the UK's most comprehensive public reference collection of literature on the fine and decorative arts, including books, journals, exhibition catalogues, auction house sales catalogues, comics, e-resources, and much more.
National Archives is home to millions of iconic national documents, which were created and collected by UK central government departments and major courts of law. They collect and secure the future government’s records from Shakespeare’s Will to Tweets from Downing Street.
Stuart Hall Library specialises in art and theory publications from the perspectives of the Global Majority; African, Asian, Caribbean, Polynesian, Latinx, and Diaspora. The library is the intellectual and social hub of iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts).
Before visiting any other library check their website for opening hours and membership requirements.
Media Store at Lime Grove
The Media Store at Lime Grove will close on 16 June and all media department resources will reopen at the new East Bank campus from the start of term on 25 September. A summer loan process will be put in place for continuing postgraduate students only.
Arts shops at Lime Grove, Mare Street and Curtain Road
The arts shops located at Lime Grove, Mare Street, and Curtain Road will close on 16 June and will reopen at the East Bank campus, stocking all the usual art, design, and specialist materials for students to purchase. You can still access the other UAL arts shops during this time, see UAL’s website to find your nearest location.
IT support
If you have any IT issues you can call IT support 24/7 on +44 (0)20 7514 9898 or you can raise a ticket on MySupport. You can also find out more about the University IT Services on our website.
Canteens and Cafés
All LCF canteens and cafés will close from the end of term on 16 June.
At the East Bank campus, the dining hall, café and bar on the 10 floor and the café and pizza bar on the ground floor will have a light offer from 11 September and will fully open for the start of term on 25 September, for students whose ID cards have been activated for the building. We'll share more details on the catering offer soon and in the meantime follow @ualcatering for all the latest updates.
Student Services
LCF students can continue to access confidential and free support, advice on funding, immigration and visas, health and mental health advice, disability, and dyslexia support, and talk with a counsellor or a chaplain. Student Services offers appointments, information and support in person, by video call, phone, and/or email. Read more on Student Services on our website.