Welcome to Leeds University Library. We want to support you in your learning and this guide gives you the essentials to start using the Library.
We may need to make changes to our service due to the coronavirus pandemic. Please visit the library website for the latest updates and information.
The Library has four main buildings on campus, with a study space to suit everyone. Find out about all of our library buildings on our website.
Your student card is essential for using Leeds University Library. It lets you into Library buildings and contains your University username, which you'll need to access electronic books and journals.
Most of your modules at Leeds will have reading lists to help you to find out more about your subject. Some lists might be short, with less than five books or journal articles to read; others might be longer and split into sections. Your tutors will give you advice about what to read and when.
To find your reading list log into Minerva, select the "Learn" tab, then click on the reading list icon next to your module list.
Find out about Library Search in the next section of this guide.
Your reading list is a good place to start, but you will be expected to read more widely too.
Use Library Search to search for information on your topic, and to find books, journal articles and other materials in the Library. Leeds University Library has a huge range of online resources available to you as a student. Guidance on using the online library catalogue and finding resources is available on the Library website.
Every subject studied at Leeds has its own Library subject webpage dedicated to helping you to find information sources in your discipline.
The Library's Special Collections are housed in the Brotherton Library, and are open to all visitors.
Special Collections has nearly 200,000 rare books and hundreds of thousands of manuscripts, ranging from illuminated medieval manuscripts to business archives to modern poetry archives.
To find out more, and to search for material that might interest you, have a look at the Special Collections website.
Library Search will give you all the information that you need to find material on the shelves in the Library or online. Most of the journal articles that you'll need to read will be available online; just follow the links from Library Search. You can currently request print books from our libraries and collect them from the Edward Boyle Library with our “click and collect” book retrieval service.
You can use our self-issue machines to borrow and return books. You will need your student card! There are instructions on screen but please ask Library staff if you need help. During the pandemic, we will issue books before you collect them.
To find out how many items you can borrow and for how long, and for more details about using the self-issue machines, see our 'what can I borrow' webpage.
Sometimes the books you need may be on loan to another student. If this happens, you can use the request a book system. Find out more on our 'request a book' webpage. Once you reach the front of the queue for a particular book, you will generally be able to borrow it within a week. To encourage students to return them, fines are charged on recalled books that are overdue.
If all copies of the book you need have been borrowed, you will notice a "Request" box on the catalogue record. Click this box to recall the book.
The person who has borrowed the book will be sent an email asking them to bring it back. You will receive an email to your University email account once the book is available.
Your library account is where you can view details of the items you have borrowed and any requests you have placed.
You can check your library account online. The easiest way to do this is through Minerva. Click the Library icon to see details of your account.
Leeds University Library has a great selection of spaces where you can get down to work.
All libraries on campus have computers, printers, photocopiers and staff to help you.
For up-to-date information about accessing study spaces during the coronavirus pandemic, please visit the Library website.
The Library has developed a partnership that sets out what we can all expect from each other. We value your feedback, so please let us know if any of these expectations are not being met. Find out more on our Library Partnership webpages.
Skills@Library is a service that supports you in developing your academic skills. You can talk to a learning advisor online, attend one of our webinars or find advice on our academic skills webpages.
For training to help you develop your IT skills, see the IT website.
Skills@Library run workshops and webinars throughout the year on lots of different topics, including:
To see our full list of workshops and to find out how to book, have a look at the workshops webpage on our website.
Want to speak to a Learning Advisor individually? We can help you develop your academic skills and provide guidance on topics such as academic writing, reading and finding information. For more information, and to find out how to book an appointment, see the one-to-one support page on our website.
Student feedback:
"Thank you so much for the meeting; it really helped me and put my mind at ease."
"I feel much more motivated and confident to just start writing now."
"Thanks for your help! The exam really went well. I was so happy as that was what I was struggling with."
You can also find a fantastic collection of books on developing your academic skills in the Skills Zone. Look out for our book reviews on the shelves.
Thank you for using Library Quickstart. For more information about your library, please visit the Library website.
Please leave feedback about Library Quickstart by using the form on the next slide.
Please leave feedback about Library Quickstart by filling in our feedback form.