Libraries began to close to researchers in the week beginning 16 March 2020 and all were closed to researchers and staff from Monday 23 March when the UK’s lockdown began and all who could work from home were instructed to do so. University libraries dealt with large numbers of book loans in the last days and hours of operation, with loan periods extended (at the Bodleian for three months initially), recalls of loans switched off and fines suspended.

At the present time staff are still working from home where possible. Security staff and conservation staff are looking after buildings and checking on the storage of collections and at some institutions curatorial staff may arrange to visit to collect work materials. At King’s College London Library and at the Bodleian some staff have been furloughed, implementing the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).