The Morrell, Fairhurst and Burton are on Campus West

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

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.

Study spaces and how to book

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.

Skills Guides

Online resources available at any time to develop your academic writing, digital skills and more

Writing Centre

Personal academic writing advice, study coaching and online writing guidance

Maths Skills Centre

Workshops and 1:1 support to develop your maths, statistics and numerical reasoning skills

Faculty Librarians

Help with resources, tools and skills specific to your subject

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