The Library isn’t just somewhere you can get books. It’s somewhere you can do your work on your own or with others, access your course materials, 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 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. Our library staff have created subject-specific library guides to help all students access the course materials they need. Find the guide for your course here.

Our Subject Librarians can support students in a number of different ways. If you need support with finding books, online articles, referencing, literature reviews or any other specialist questions about using the library.

You can arrange to meet with a subject librarian here

Phillipa Price (Bay Campus) & Felicity Jones (Singelton Campus) are the disability link librarians. You can contact them directly if you have any specific questions about using the library.

Phillipa Price’s email – P.Price@Swansea.ac.uk  Felicity Jones’ email F.P.C.Williams@Swansea.ac.uk

Libraries are a great place to study and access materials from your course.

However, the library isn’t always as quiet as we would all would like. Our libraries are at their busiest during term time between 10 am & 5 pm. If therefore, you find it challenging to concentrate when working in a busy place – it might be a good idea to work at a different time or find somewhere that is quieter. Remember, even at quiet times we cannot guarantee any student space to work. It is therefore best to familiarise yourself with all the best places on campus to study.

Here is a list of all the designated quiet study spaces at Swansea University. Some of these spaces may be a better place to study if you are looking for some peace and quiet!

Remember, there is a vast amount of information in the university’s online library. 

There is further advice about learning remotely available here.

Library guides landing page – https://libguides.swansea.ac.uk/. From here, students can use our instant chat service and find the guide for their subject, referencing style and more. Each subject guide has the contact details for the subject librarians, or students can find their team of librarians here – https://libguides.swansea.ac.uk/yourlibrarians.

It might be helpful to link to the referencing landing page too – https://libguides.swansea.ac.uk/Referencing.

Here’s the remote learning guide – https://myuni.swansea.ac.uk/academic-life/remote-learning-guide/. It includes a link to the online library guide – https://libguides.swansea.ac.uk/onlinelibrary.

iFind is our library catalogue. The link is http://ifind.swansea.ac.uk.

Our inclusive services page highlights services and resources that might be particularly useful for students with specific needs – https://www.swansea.ac.uk/library/student-support/inclusive/.

Here are some Top Tips about using the library

1. When first using the library, use it when it is quiet and less busy.
2. If you want to study in the library – come early to give yourself the best chance of finding a suitable space.
3. Visit the library before you enroll in your course (you will have the chance to do this if you attend our Orientation two days in Summer)
4. Read our Accessible guides to using the library. These booklets will enable you to get a better understanding of our libraries. Here is one for Singelton Library and here is one for Bay Library.
5. Remember, there is a vast amount of information in the university’s online library.
6. There may be more information or resources about the library available in our Inclusive Library webpage
7. Finally, if you need help – ask for it! Our librarians are there to help you, so make the most of their knowledge and expertise.

The ASC team at Swansea University