Let’s be honest — most people think of the library as somewhere to sit, get your head down, and maybe panic slightly over a deadline.
But there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes that can make your life easier… if you know about it.
Here are five things the library can help you with that are definitely worth using.
1. Bookable appointments (yes, actual one-to-one help)
If you’re stuck — whether it’s finding resources, referencing, or just not knowing where to start — you don’t need to figure it out on your own.
You can book a one-to-one appointment with Library staff and get proper, tailored help.
No generic advice. No guessing. Just someone walking you through it.
Honestly, this is probably one of the most underused (and most useful) things we offer.
2. Study spaces that actually suit how you work
Not all study spaces are the same — and not all studying needs to be silent.
Across our libraries, you’ll find:
- quiet spaces for focus
- group areas for working together
- bookable rooms when you need to talk things through
If you’ve ever tried to revise in the wrong environment, you’ll know how frustrating that is. It’s worth finding a space that actually works for you.
3. Help finding the right resources (without going in circles)
If you’ve ever spent far too long clicking through results and still not found what you need — you’re not alone.
The library can help you:
- find the right databases
- track down full-text articles
- make better use of Discovery
A quick bit of guidance here can save you a lot of time.
4. Referencing and tools that save you time
Referencing can be one of those things that feels harder than it should be.
We can help with:
- using tools like EndNote
- understanding different referencing styles
- avoiding common mistakes
Getting this right early on saves a lot of last-minute stress.
5. Research and publishing support (especially useful for staff and postgrads)
If you’re involved in research, there’s support available for things like:
- open access publishing
- managing your research data
- keeping your Discovery Research profile up to date
These are the kinds of things that can make a real difference to how visible your work is — but they’re easy to overlook.
Final thought
You don’t need to struggle through things on your own.
If something feels harder than it should be, there’s a good chance the library can help — contact us through our library chat, email us or visit our Service Desk at any of our sites.
And if you’re not sure where to start, that’s fine too. That’s what we’re here for!
