Exploring resources available beyond our Library.
4 March 2024
If you’re working on a dissertation, thesis or project, you may need to explore resources available beyond our Library. Below we’ll introduce some tools and services that you can use to access materials that we don’t currently subscribe to, including those that may be held elsewhere.
Recommending books and using Inter-Library Loans
We aim to provide the resources you need to complete your studies or research and if you’re unable to access a particular resource, we want to help.
If we haven’t got the book you need, you can ask us to buy a print or e-book copy using the Recommend a book service.
Where buying a copy for our collection is not possible we may be able to source books, book chapters and journal articles for you from other university libraries and institutions. Use the inter library loan service to request these items for free.
Search Library Hub Discover
Explore what is available beyond our Library using Library Hub Discover. You can search across the catalogues of over 170 UK and Irish academic and national libraries, together with other specialist and research libraries. The range of libraries included in Library Hub Discover is expanding all the time, and includes all UK universities, as well as the libraries of such diverse organisations as Durham Cathedral, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Royal Horticultural Society.
Library Hub Discover has also made it easier for you to find Open Access resources: it has recently incorporated the HathiTrust Digital Library, as well as the Directories of Open Access Books and Journals to its searchable database.
Need to look further afield? Search library catalogues internationally via WorldCat.
SCONUL Access Scheme
The SCONUL Access Scheme enables you to visit most other academic libraries around the country, and in some cases, borrow from them.
You will need to register with SCONUL Access before you can visit another Library, so do allow time for your registration to be processed. Visit SCONUL Access to join and find out which libraries you can use.
Libraries must prioritise their own university community so there may be limitations around what you can access and restrictions in place at certain times of year, such as the exam period. Check check details such as opening hours and access information before you visit.
Library Help and get in touch
Contact us with your enquiries and get in touch with Library departments or people.