The Library isn’t just somewhere you can get books. It’s somewhere you can do your work on your own or with others, escape sensory overload and get some help with studying. This section of the toolkit will introduce our library and the services it can offer you.

We have specialist library staff who understand autism and want to help you make the most out of your time at uni. They can help you with finding, choosing and using library resources, amongst many other things.

You can borrow laptops from the library or use the PCs or Macs, and we also have a huge number of digital resources – e-books, journals, and databases – that can be accessed on or off campus.

There are facilities for printing, copying and scanning on each floor.

The library has different kinds of study spaces to suit different people, such as quiet areas, silent areas, group study spaces and bookable rooms.

Many students in the Autism&Uni surveys mentioned the library as somewhere they really enjoyed being, whether they needed some quiet space to get away from it all or find some help or just to get some work done.

When you borrow library books, you get extended time to read them which is useful for some people; our library system also renews your books automatically, so you don’t have to remember to do that yourself. (If someone else requests a book that you have borrowed, we will email you to let you know.)

The library is popular for studying, and can feel busy at times, especially in the entrance area near the turnstiles. If you prefer a quieter environment, you might want to come in at quieter times, such as in the evening or at weekends. There is also an option to use a different door away from the main entrance, which leads straight onto the silent floor – the Library Disability Advisor can tell you more about this.

Some students like the bookable study rooms as a place to help with concentration or to sit quietly, away from other people. Certain rooms have the option to switch off the lights if you prefer. We also have a Calm Zone, where students can sit in comfy chairs and take a break from studying. There are floor maps on each library floor, near the stairs; they are also on the online Library Disability Support Guide.

You can have an individual library induction with the Library Disability Advisor where you can ask questions, have a look round the building to get an idea of what to expect, see where your books are and what the study spaces are like.

Make an appointment with the Library Disability Support Advisor. This can be in person, or a Teams meeting; it usually lasts about 45 minutes, and you can ask anything at all about how to get the best out of the Library.

Make an appointment with a Subject Librarian – they offer 30 minute sessions to help with finding reading material for your assignments, using specialist databases, referencing, and researching.

Have a look at the Subject Guide page for your subject – these are full of helpful guidance and useful links, as well as photos of the librarians.

Check how many PCs are available on each floor – this can give you an idea of how busy it is.