Postgrad students

More than just words

Learn more about the resources, services and facilities available to you at the Library

The University Library is a central space for study, research and support. From solo studying to group work and research projects, our library has space and resources for study and work of all kinds.

There's more to our library than just books, computers, and desks  students can work collaboratively in our meeting pods and we have a dedicated study suite for postgraduate students to work in.

When you need a break from your studies, you can wind down with a novel in our book nook, stay up-to-date with what's happening on our community noticeboard, and grab a barista-made coffee at the library café.

We've built a tradition of student-led change and students, researchers and staff are supported by our friendly staff and knowledgeable librarians, who are on-hand to offer their help and guidance.

For more detailed information about the services available, visit our Library website.

If you have any questions or want to know more about anything connected with the library, you can click the 'Click to chat' speech bubble button on the right side of any Library page to chat with a librarian or our out-of-hours support team online at any time 24/7.

Groups of students studying in the library

Individual study spaces and study booths, drop-in meeting pods and open plan seating are available throughout the library

L-0319-Library Shoot

Around 390,000 printed books, over 924,000 ebooks and nearly 43,000 ejournals are available to borrow and access online

Equipment and facilities

  • 400+ open access desktop computers
  • 410 loaner laptops with secure lockers
  • Printing and scanning facilities
  • Drop-in meeting pods
  • Bookable group study rooms with presentation facilities
  • Varied casual open plan seating for individual and group study
  • Individual study pods
  • 380,000 printed books
  • 600,000 ebooks
  • 55,000 ejournals
  • DVDs, printed and digital maps, online newspapers and microfilms
  • Six faculty librarians offering expert subject research assistance
  • Disability support — from research support to assistive technologies
  • In-house coffee shop
  • Postgraduate study suite
  • Exhibition space for staff and students
  • 'Book Nook' with donated books — free to students

Key services

Our Library offers a variety of services for students, staff, researchers and external readers including:

You can get instant answers from a librarian 24/7 all year round using our online chat service.  You can also chat with a librarian face-to-face in person or using video chat, phone or email.  We explain all the different ways you can get in touch on our “How we can help” webpage.

Search for books, ebooks and databases online using the Library catalogue or find electronic journal articles and other electronic resources all together using the Discovery Service.  On the Library resources search page, you can search everything from the Discovery Service to your reading lists.


You can easily borrow and return library items at any time of day using our self-service kiosks.  Powered by RFID technology, each kiosk allows you to borrow multiple items at once, without any hassle.  Everything you borrow renews itself automatically unless someone else has requested it, so you never need to worry about returning anything late.  Visit our Borrowing from the library page for full details about your borrowing entitlements.

From supplying electronic versions of journal articles and book chapters to online video chat with your subject team, we provide exceptional support to our distance learners. Our Support for distance learners page details all the ways we make it easier for you to study away from the University campus.

All our electronic resources are available from anywhere over the internet using the same username and password you use for Moodle.  If you connect using the VPN, you can even enjoy the same experience you would get on campus.  Our Accessing electronic resources page tells you everything you might need to know to work anywhere with electronic Library resources.

You can access our electronic resources – including ebooks and ejournals – wherever you are, using the same username and password as you do for Moodle.  

For more information about electronic resources and working anywhere, visit our Accessing electronic resources page.
 

You can book group study rooms for two to twelve people up to two weeks in advance, either online or using the room booking kiosk in the Library Atrium.  Each study room comes complete with a projector or plasma screen you can use to practice group presentations.  The rooms vary in their capacity, so please make sure you are booking a room large enough for your group when you book. 

Our Group Study Rooms page describes the rooms and how to book them.

If you want to read anything that is not already available through the Library, we can draw on our network of libraries across the country, including the world's biggest national library, the British Library, to find a copy for you to read.  Check out our Document delivery & interlibrary loans page for full details.

You can borrow a full-sized University laptop with Microsoft Office software, internet browser and printers installed, for up to 12 hours.  Head to our Laptops for loan page for details.

Our interactive guide and referencing tool helps students reference sources correctly, based on published style guides and local practice. See how our referencing tool works at our University referencing site.

If you need one-to-one support while you research a project or dissertation, you can book a librarian. Booking requests are managed on a regular basis between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Getting into the Library

The University Library welcomes visitors with photographic ID and SCONUL Access students from other institutions.  Please report to the Libary Reception desk during staffed hours.

Staff and students who arrive at the Library without their University card can obtain a printed day pass from the cardless visit kiosk outside the turnstiles.  The cardless visit day pass only allows access through the turnstiles - you still require your student card to borrow books or a laptop and to claim any group study room you might have booked. Further information is available on our Student membership page.

Where to find us

Location

University Library
Cambridge Road
Portsmouth
PO1 2ST