Welcome to your guide on using the Library.
Off campus access to ebooks, e-journals and databases
- All of our online Library resources can be accessed 24/7 from anywhere using your University username and password.
- To ensure you get quick, easy access to our online content when you are working from home, please see our Off Campus Toolkit.
Access to the Library building
- During evenings and weekends you will need to show your student ID to gain access to the building.
- You do not need to show your ID between 0845-1700 Monday to Friday.
Study spaces
The library has a number of different study zones to suit all requirements, whether you prefer to work alone, in groups, in silence or with some quiet background noise. Wherever you decide to study, help us make the Library a good place to study for everybody by:
- Using the appropriate zone for the type of work you want to do (group or individual).
- Tidying up after yourself - use the recycling bins and avoid leaving litter on the tables.
- Only having mobile phone conversations in the group study zones or clearly signed areas. Elsewhere in the Library please keep all your devices on silent.
- Not 'reserving' tables, study rooms or PCs by leaving your belongings there, as space is at a premium at certain times of the year.
- Unattended valuables can attract thieves so please keep your valuables with you at all times.
Group study rooms
- We have ten Group Study Rooms which can be booked in advance. These rooms can hold groups of 3-10 students and are located on Floors 2, 3, and 4 - Book a Group Study Room.
- Floors 1 and 2 also offer an ideal environment to work together on projects and assessments without the need to pre-book.
Individual study (quiet and silent areas)
- The open plan areas of levels 3 and 4 are designated as quiet areas and are set up for individual study.
- What do we mean by quiet? A brief, whispered conversation about your work is fine. But if you need to keep talking, you're probably disturbing others so please move to one of the group study areas on levels 1 and 2.
- There are also plenty of individual study spaces on the noisier floors (1 and 2) which are perfect if you work more productively with a lot of background noise and activity or are happy to wear headphones!
- We also have self-contained silent areas on levels 3 and 4, each with space for 28 students which are set aside for those of you who prefer to work on your own in silence.
- If you are being disturbed by other users in a quiet or silent area – please let us know by reporting it to the SEZ desk.
Borrowing books
- Your student card also acts as your Library card and you automatically become a member of the Library once you have completed registration.
- Once you collect your student card, you can use the self-service machines to borrow and return your books. Please take note of the date your books are to be returned.
- Books cannot be issued without your student card so make sure you bring it with you!
- Please see our borrowing books FAQs for details of how many books you can borrow and for how long, and our books page on how to search for books.
Laptop loans
- Laptops are available to borrow for a maximum of 4 hours for use only in the Library. These can be borrowed from the self-service laptop lockers on Level 2 of the Library for a maximum of 4 hours. You must have your student or staff card to use them - Laptop loans: Terms of use.
- There are also a smaller number of laptops at SEZ that can be borrowed for 1 week which can be booked via SEZ Bookings.
Photocopying and printing
- You can print, copy and scan to email using the Multi Functional Devices (MFDs), available on all floors of the Library
- For more information on using the MFDs see our FAQs.
Food and drink
- You can bring your own food/drinks to heat up in the microwave provided on the ground floor, or buy refreshments from our vending machines – especially handy if you're working in the library late at night.
- Please feel free to enjoy hot food and drinks anywhere on level 1 but please do not take hot food elsewhere in the building.
- Please don’t use bottles or cups that aren’t re-sealable outside level 1 (accidents happen and we could do without the stains on the carpets and furniture!).
Getting help
- For subject-related and search enquiries please contact Academic Librarian for your subject area.
- We have created an Off Campus Toolkit to help you access ebooks, ejournals and databases from home.
- Help and advice on study skills, including referencing is also available online.
Last modified by Library Services