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Your library quickstart guide
Welcome to the library, new students!
The Library will play a big part in your experience while you’re at York. There’s a lot to take in if you’re new, and we’ll take you through some ways to get started on this page with a step-by-step Library To-Do List. If you want a little more detail on the library basics, check out our Library Essentials Guide.
1. Find your space
The main library buildings are the Morrell, Burton and Fairhurst, all together on Campus West - and everyone is welcome. We’ve got Silent Zones, Quiet Zones, Studious Buzz Zones; bookable spaces, non-bookable spaces; group spaces, and individual spaces.
More information on study spaces and how to book
Watch our Virtual Tour to find your way around the main library. Get info on our digital labs, our skills centres, and see all those different study spaces.
We'd also recommend taking our self-guided tour of the library. Look out for the green posters in the Morrell: scan the QR code, and get a bite-sized introduction to our services.
2. Access incredible resources
Our books are for everyone. You don’t need to be a Postgraduate or member of staff, you don’t need to put in a special request - just find what you need on the shelves, and borrow it using our self-issue machines.
YorSearch is our catalogue - search by keyword and find out what we have on any topic, in print and online. You can borrow up to 75 items at once, and you'll need to check your emails to find out when to bring them back; there's more on Borrowing here.
3. Bookmark these essentials
What do you really need, right from the start?
4. Ask us anything
We can’t stress enough how much we want you to ask us questions. Absolutely no one expects you to know how things work already, so just get in touch with us to find out!
- Use our Chat Service
- Visit our Help Desks in the Morrell and King’s Manor Library
- Send us an email
- Ask us questions on social media: we're @UoYLibrary on Instagram and Twitter
5. Boost your skills
We have two academic Skills Centres, for Writing and for Maths, in the Fairhurst - you can book appointments online.
We also provide videos, slides and interactive tutorials to help you develop your information skills, learn to code, work with data and get creative with digital technologies. We’ll show you how to follow good academic practice and develop your digital skills for effective reading, note-making, essay writing and problem solving.
Skill Guides
Our online Skills Guides allow you to learn in your own time and at your own pace
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Workshops
See our face-to-face and online skills workshops in one place