Our Collections: Library Collections

Making the most of Library Collections

The Library Collections are maintained and developed to support the learning, teaching and research needs of students and staff at the University to provide you with FREE access to high-quality, specialist resources, so you don't have to pay!

In the Library you will find print books and some print journals on the shelves, however the majority of the library's collections are available online and can be accessed anytime, any place and from any device. 

Where to look:

• Resource Lists - lists all the assigned essential readings for your taught modules
• UR Library Search - a good place to begin searching for resources such books and journals articles
• Suggest a Book - for your research or to increase the diversity of  the Library's collections
• Library Subject Guide - where you can find all the specialist databases and other resources for your subject area
• A-Z Database List - look up a specific database
• Film, Video & TV, Image or Audio - find high-quality, copyright cleared audio and visual resources to enhance your understanding and research
• Employability resources - books to help with interview skills, improving your CV, preparing for a presentation, etc.
• Featured Collections curated list to support events and extra curricula themes, such as Wellbeing, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, LTBTQ+, Women's History Month, Black Lives Matter, Leisure Reading, etc.
• Spotlight on Library Resources and Snapshots from the Archives - blog posts from the Library and Archives Teams

The Library also holds extensive and important Special Collections and Archives that contain rare books, original documents and artefacts to support various teaching and research fields, especially Dance, Education and Children’s Literature.

We also have our School Experience Collection website, highlighting our Children’s books, story sacks, teaching packs, resources and equipment.

Donations Policy

We appreciate that staff, students or external stakeholders may sometimes wish to donate books, periodicals or other materials to the Library. Whilst we understand the motivations behind this, it is usually not cost-effective for us to accept donations unless they very significantly enhance our collections to support the teaching, learning and research needs of the University.