Information for new students

Welcome to the University Library

Welcome to the University Library

This page provides a useful introduction to the services we offer. Explore the rest of our website, or read the Library Guide, for more information.

Getting started

A few #UoYTips to introduce you to the Library:

Write on the walls!

There are all kinds of study spaces in the Library, from group areas and beanbags in the Fairhurst where there are walls you can write on, to bookable single study rooms in the Morrell, and silent spaces in the Burton.

Reserve a book

If all the copies of the book you need are out on loan, don’t be shy about reserving a copy! First log on to YorSearch and when you've found the book you want, click Place a request or booking. You'll be emailed when a copy becomes available.

Get to know your Librarian

Have a look at your Subject Guide to find out who the Librarian is for your subject. They're amongst the many people in the Library who can help you with your work.

Find more tips

Search #UoYTips on Twitter, Instagram, and the Library website for tips and advice on making the most of academic life at York. Then share your own!

We're here to help

Contact us for help, advice or information by email, phone or in person at the Library Help Desk.

We've also created helpful resources so you can make the most of what we've got to offer:

And for the latest news, updates and observations, follow us:

Facebook‌ Twitter

Library space

We have the right study space for you, day and night.

The University Library is located on Heslington West and is open 24/7, 362 days a year.

We have dedicated Silent, Quiet and Studious Buzz zones across our buildings to suit your study needs.

There's a range of bookable single and group study rooms.

For more information about Library space, see:

Search our resources

You can search our collections using YorSearch, the Library catalogue.

All e-resources, including ebooks, ejournals and databases, that the Library subscribes to can be accessed on or off campus from our E-resources Guide.

Search the Digital Library for multimedia resources including images and past exam papers.

Many reading lists are made available on the Yorkshare VLE using EARL, which links directly to items on the Library catalogue.

Borrowing

You can borrow up to 75 items on a flexible loan basis.

Flexible loans means:

  • 8 week rolling loans for most items unless they're requested
  • the length of loan adjusts automatically depending on demand
  • you won’t have to wait long for an item that's on loan - simply place a request using YorSearch

Your University Card is also your Library card, so always bring it with you as you'll need it to borrow items.

Find out more about flexible loans:

Key Texts Collections

Books which are likely to be in high demand are identified by course tutors and are moved to the Key Texts Collections.

The Key Texts Collections are located on the ground floor of the JB Morrell Library and in the King's Manor Library.

Loan periods are for up to four hours, to help cope with demand.

Find out more:

More than books

In addition to over 1 million print books and journals, we have: