Library Subject Guides
Wellbeing is important at the best of times. Remember that university is not just about study; there's fun to be had too...
Perhaps you want to try your hand at some creative play. Why not take a look at the two digital labs we've got in the library?
This lab has computers equipped with a range of creative editing software and access to game engines like Unreal and Unity. A wide selection of equipment is also available, allowing you to explore Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), 3D design, podcasting, 360 filming and recording, and more. The Lab is open for drop-in use on Mondays, with more facilitated sessions and training also available.
YorCreate is our makerspace. There's 3D printers and crafting materials, free to use after a short induction. Find out more:
Our Digital Wednesdays programme include sessions on media editing, coding, and getting digitally creative. The Creativity Lab also offers a host of training sessions. You can find all of these events listed on our Training page:
In terms of the Library, the resources we hold, both physical and online, aren't just there for educational use. They're also there for recreational use!
Box of Broadcasts (BoB) is an on-demand TV and radio service where you can catch up on free-to-air UK broadcasts from the last decade or so...
There's more media content available in our collections via the eResources guide:
In addition to streaming video (not to mention all the DVDs and CDs we've got) there's our graphic novels collection, and literature ranging from 17th-21st century. All of this is available via YorSearch. Or you can browse our virtual shelves, below.
In the Morrell Lounge you'll also find our Life Skills and Page Turners collections. Life Skills contains books on a range of themes to help you navigate university life, including managing your finances and learning to cook. Page Turners provides contemporary fiction, including prize winning titles.
There's a range of spaces to explore throughout the Library, the campus, and the city as a whole...
Our Living Room space on the top floor of the Fairhurst is a place where you can switch off your devices, curl up in a hanging chair, and take a moment to relax and have a break.
Our Sensory Rooms, also on the top floor of the Fairhurst, are spaces that allow you to moderate your sensory experience. We have two dedicated sensory rooms: the Sensory Study Room designed primarily for studying and the Sensory Retreat Room which is a calm space that allows you to take time out from studying.
Our campus is beautiful (no, really, it is!) with plenty of places to sit and get away from it all or let your hair down. If you really want a bit of peace and quiet to chill out in, there's even the secret garden that is the Quiet Place...
Actually, York's pretty lovely as a whole. There are far worse places to be...
Taking a break gives you time to unwind and/or re-energise. It also gives you chance to reflect on the work you've done, and what you've achieved so far.
Life should never be just work work work (that would be terribly boring, and also terribly bad for us). We need to leave time for some fun. And at University there's more opportunities for fun than we might normally get...
Sure, when you're working on a project you may need to put a few things on hold to give yourself time to concentrate, but that's not the same as just cloistering yourself away until the work is done.
You need to leave time for some sleep, too! If you're tired, your concentration will suffer.
When you're working on something, there's few things worse than staring at a blank screen. Don't be afraid to walk away for a bit if you're wanting for inspiration. A break can offer up new ideas. How many good ideas come to you when you're sat on the toilet or trying to sleep?
There's a lot of online help in terms of wellbeing, some of it by us here in the Library...
We are constantly working to improve accessibility to all our resources and services. If you're a student with dyslexia or a disability you can register with disability services and get adjusted library services.
Here's a selection of virtual bookshelves for some of our wellbeing-related collections. You can also find them on YorSearch.
