How to use the online alarm clock
While you wait to collect your reserved books from the library, a 3:40 pm alarm lets you stop repeatedly checking the clock. It marks the moment to gather your library card, bag and anything that needs returning. With 20 minutes before 4:00 pm, there is enough time to finish a small task without losing track of when you meant to leave.
Your library collection depends on hearing the alert, so keep this page available while the alarm is running and leave the sound turned up. If the browser is closed, the alarm for your books will not sound, which could leave you setting off late. The same problem can occur if the computer or phone goes to sleep. Check the volume beforehand, and use a separate phone alarm as a fallback if you plan to put the screen away.
Your walk to the library may feel different from the temperature suggested for this part of the afternoon. Humid air can make the route feel close, while a breeze can make it noticeably cooler, particularly on shaded streets. Check the local conditions shortly before 3:40 pm and choose a light layer that can go into your bag. If the air looks damp, keeping the books inside a waterproof tote protects them from drizzle on the return journey.
Common questions
What happens if my laptop goes to sleep before 3:40 pm?
The tab sleeps along with it and the alarm will not sound on time, if at all. If you are relying on it, change the power settings so the machine stays awake, or keep a phone alarm running as well.
Do I need an account or an app?
Neither. Choose a time and a sound, press Start, and it runs in this browser tab. Nothing is downloaded, nothing is registered, and closing the page leaves nothing behind on the device.
Can I change the sound?
Yes, there is a short list of tones to pick from before you press Start. Softer sounds are easy to sleep through, so a firmer bell tends to be the safer choice for anything early in the morning.
Will it still be right when the clocks change?
Yes. It reads your device's local clock, so the move between GMT and BST at the end of March and October is picked up automatically, as long as the computer's date, time and time zone are set correctly.
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