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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, so let us take you through some ways to get started on this page. If you want a little more detail on the library basics, check out our Library Essentials Guide.
This is your space
Visit the library early! Watch our Virtual Tour to find your way around, to get info on our amazing digital labs and our skills centres, and to see all those different study spaces.
The main library buildings are the Morrell, Burton and Fairhurst, all together on Campus West - and everyone is welcome. We'd 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.
We’ve got Silent Zones, Quiet Zones, Studious Buzz Zones; bookable spaces, non-bookable spaces; group spaces, and individual spaces. This is a space co-created with students: the Sensory Rooms, Family Study Room and Living Room are all based on student ideas from our LibInspo competition.
Our resources are easy to use
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.
- Step 1: search by keyword on YorSearch, our catalogue and find out what we have on any topic, in print and online. If it's online you can read it wherever you have the internet; if it's in print use the maps in YorSearch to find it on our shelves.
- Step 2: take the book to one of our self-issue machines. You can borrow up to 75 items at once, but don't take that as a challenge...
- Step 3: Check your emails to find out when to bring them back; there's more on Borrowing here. Return it via our self-return machine in the library, or one of our book-drops. That's it!
We'll help you develop next level study skills
Upgrade your skills in key areas of academic life. Study well, save time and get better marks.
Be part of a supportive community
The library of amazing staff who are here to help you. Actual human beings, too: we can guide you on using AI, but we're not AI ourselves...
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
Tap into unlimited possibilities
There's so much more you can tap into at York, like our incredible digital labs and our amazing archives. Follow your curiosity and make the most of these opportunities - either because they help you develop skills and interests that help you with your degree, or skills and interests that help you get a job later, or simply because it's fun.
Creativity Lab
Practical workshops, masterclasses and technical support with high-end tech
YorCreate
Our makerspace and digital crafting area: 3D design, scanning and printing
Archives
Get hands-on with 1,000 years of history at the Borthwick Institute for Archives