Who can visit?

The Forum operates as a partnership between the University of Essex, Southend City Council and South Essex College. The ground floor and first floor of The Forum are open to all during standard opening hours. On the second floor, students and staff have access to The Learning Hub, a study space featuring a range of different study spaces full details of which are available here. The Learning Hub is open to University of Essex students and staff only and can be accessed 24 hours a day 7 days a week with a student or staff card. Outside standard opening hours, University of Essex users should use the out of hours access door. To locate the door, while facing the main entrance to The Forum, turn right and walk underneath the big screen, then turn left down the side of the building – the door is the second on the left. Click here for a video giving further instructions on how to use the out of hours access door.

Please note that Alumni students are not able to use the Learning Hub in The Forum as an active student or staff card is required.

Students from other universities (SCONUL Access).

We are not able to offer access to the Learning Hub for SCONUL members as an active student or staff card is required to access areas on the 2^nd floor of The Forum. All members of the public can however use the ground and first floors of the Forum for study.

Where can I find books for my studies?

All Southend University of Essex collection books are located on the first floor of The Forum. University of Essex books are only available to borrow for University students and staff. Members of the public can use University books within the Forum for reference purposes. To view print books available in The Forum, select the 'Southend books' tab above the search bar on the University Library Homepage.

Info Point Opening Hours

The Info Point is located on the 2^nd floor of The Forum in The Learning Hub. The Info Point offers support with university specific library enquiries and IT enquiries. Info Point staffed hours are available from our Opening Hours page. These can be subject to change so please check the website before your visit. If there are no staff at the Info point between the hours of 9am-5pm Monday- Friday, please ring the doorbell on the Info Point desk and, if available, a member of staff will come and help you.  

Enquiries regarding print books and your Forum Library account can also be answered at the desks on the ground and first floor desks. Opening times for these are available here.

Parking

Details of places to park near The Forum are available here.