New students: welcome to the Library
17 August 2026
For those who are joining us on campus for the first time, a very warm welcome!
This page will help you get started with using the Library spaces, accessing your essential reading, and finding academic and study skills help.
Read on to find out how to make the most of all the support available to you.
Make sure to grab your digital freebies at the bottom of the page, including a digital planner to help you keep your studies on track!
We're looking forward to seeing you in the Library soon.
Using the Library
The Philip Robinson Library, Walton Library, and Marjorie Robinson Library Rooms offer a range of spaces, resources and services to help you succeed in your studies.
We offer a mix of silent, quiet and collaborative learning spaces, with spaces to study alone or in groups. Group rooms, individual rooms, and accessible study rooms can all be pre-booked.
Visit the Library website to check the opening hours of our libraries, discover more about our services and collections, and follow us @libraryncl on Instagram.
Finding resources
Finding and borrowing books
Finding books is simple using Library Search. Once you’ve located the books you need on the shelf, you will find self-issue kiosks on all floors to enable you to borrow books easily. If you need assistance in locating books or are uncertain about using self-issue, staff at the Library Help Desk will be happy to help.
You can borrow books for as long as you need them unless someone else requests them. We will tell you when you need to return them.
If a book you need is already on loan you can request it via Library Search and we will arrange to get a copy to you as soon as possible.
Returning books
Returning books is easy using our self-return kiosks located across campus:
- Philip Robinson Library – kiosks available on Level 2
- Walton Library – kiosk available opposite the Library Help Desk
- Marjorie Robinson Library Rooms - return kiosk located inside the building on the ground floor
- Dame Margaret Barbour Building - return kiosk located on the ground floor
- Student Union Building - return kiosk on the first floor near the reception desk
Or drop them in the book return slots outside the Philip Robinson Library or Walton Library.
Finding information for your studies
The Library also gives you access to cutting-edge research in your subject alongside a range of specialist information types such as market research, images, statistics and newspapers. Our electronic resources are accessible wherever you are in the world, and all available from the Library website. We also hold a range of unique and distinctive collections in Special Collections and Archives.
Get ready to study
Stepping up to university studies can be challenging. Strengthen your study skills with resources that have been created with students, for students. Ranging from quizzes and interactives to videos and animations, they provide you with the core skills you’ll need during Stage 1 of your degree. Each skills area is accompanied by blog posts written by students, who share their experiences and what they learned in their first year of university.
Academic and study skills support
The Library is home to the teams who will help you develop the academic and study skills you need to succeed in your studies. You can explore practical guidance on academic writing, critical reading, referencing, avoiding plagiarism and other essential skills through the Academic Skills Kit. You can also join one of our Your Skills workshops, enrol on a self-enrol Canvas course, or book a one-to-one appointment with our Academic Skills Team or a Librarian for support as you begin working on your modules and assignments
You can contact us with any library queries 24/7 via Library Help.
Academic Skills Kit
Explore practical guidance on academic writing, critical reading, referencing, avoiding plagiarism and other essential academic skills on the Academic Skills Kit.
Self-enrol courses
Join one of our self-enrol courses to develop your skills at your own pace.
Your Skills programme
Our Your Skills programme offers workshops for taught students on a range of academic and research skills.
Book a one-to-one appointment
Book an online or in-person one-to-one appointment with a Librarian or Academic Skills Team.
Digital Freebies
Join us in the Philip Robinson and Walton Libraries Tuesday 22 - Friday 29 September, to try your luck at our Spin and Win game! You'll have the chance to win exclusive prizes ranging from study essentials like pens and notebooks to tote bags and vouchers. You'll have the chance to chat to our friendly staff and pick up a free wall planner too.
You can also download some lovely digital freebies below.
Library Help and get in touch
With 24/7 help and advice, available via chat or email for all your library related questions.