{"id":2199,"date":"2026-01-14T12:42:39","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T12:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/?p=2106"},"modified":"2026-01-22T13:30:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T13:30:19","slug":"your-university-library-a-first-year-guide-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/your-university-library-a-first-year-guide-for-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Your University Library:  Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Starting university can feel exciting, overwhelming, and a bit unreal all at once. New city, new people, new way of studying\u2026 and a lot of new buildings. One place you\u2019ll get to know very quickly is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dundee.ac.uk\/library\">University of Dundee Library<\/a> \u2014 and it might just become your favourite spot on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re settling in during Welcome Week, tackling your first assignment, or just looking for somewhere comfortable to focus, the library is here to support you from day one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet Your Libraries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re not limited to just one library \u2014 you can use <strong>any<\/strong> of them, whatever you\u2019re studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dundee.ac.uk\/locations\/library-main\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.dundee.ac.uk\/locations\/library-main\">Main Library<\/a> (City Campus)<\/strong><br>This is the largest library and the main study hub for most students. You\u2019ll find a huge range of books, online resources, group and quiet study spaces, and the Library Caf\u00e9. There\u2019s also a Law collection for students studying legal subjects. Your student ID card gives you access, and yes \u2014 there\u2019s help available if you\u2019re unsure how to get in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dundee.ac.uk\/locations\/duncan-jordanstone-college-art-and-design-djcad-library\">DJCAD Library<\/a> (Matthew Building)<\/strong><br>If you\u2019re studying art, design, or anything creative, this one\u2019s for you. The DJCAD Library has specialist collections to support creative practice and research, right in the heart of the art school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dundee.ac.uk\/locations\/robertson-trust-medical-library\">Robertson Trust Medical Library<\/a> (Ninewells Hospital)<\/strong><br>Medical and health sciences students \u2014 this is your space. The Medical Library is open <strong>24\/7 all year round<\/strong>, making it ideal for placements, revision, and late-night study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dundee.ac.uk\/locations\/kirkcaldy-campus-library\">Kirkcaldy Campus Library<\/a> (Fife)<\/strong><br>Based in Fife? The Kirkcaldy Library offers a welcoming study space with everything you need to support your learning close to home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your student ID card works across <strong>all<\/strong> library sites, so you can choose the space that suits you best. Don\u2019t forget to download the University of Dundee app for quick access to library services and information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding Books, Articles and Online Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve never used an academic library before, don\u2019t worry \u2014 you\u2019re not expected to know how everything works straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dundee.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?vid=44DUN_INST:dun&amp;lang=en\">Library Search<\/a><\/strong> is the place to start. It works like a search engine for academic content, helping you find books, journal articles, and online resources all in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also have access to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dundee.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/jsearch?vid=44DUN_INST:dun&amp;offset=1&amp;query=any&amp;journals=letter,A\">e-Journals<\/a><\/strong> for reading articles online, on or off campus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libguides.dundee.ac.uk\/az\/databases\">The <strong>A\u2013Z Database list<\/strong><\/a> for subject-specific resources, study tools, and skills platforms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/resourcelists.dundee.ac.uk\/leganto\/nui\/lists\">Reading Lists<\/a><\/strong> linked directly to your modules, so you know exactly what you need<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/libguides.dundee.ac.uk\/\">Subject Guides<\/a><\/strong> created by Academic Librarians to help you research and reference with confidence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you like learning by doing, keep an eye out for interactive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/events\">library activities and workshops<\/a> that introduce these tools in a more hands-on way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Help Is Always Available<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most important things to know as a first-year student is this: <strong>you\u2019re never bothering us by asking a question<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>InfoZone helpdesks<\/strong> are available at all library sites \u2014 pop over and ask anything, big or small<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/libcal.dundee.ac.uk\/appointments\">Academic Librarians<\/a><\/strong> offer one-to-one appointments to help with essays, research, and referencing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dundee.libanswers.com\/chat\/widget\/12d726de935c9a66b659822d61d6b407?referer=https%3A\/\/www.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/help\/&amp;referer_title=Help%20%3A%20Library%20and%20Learning%20Centre%20%3A%20University%20of%20Dundee&amp;auth_id=0\">Ask the Library chat<\/a><\/strong> lets you get help online whenever you need it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>No question is too basic. If you\u2019re unsure where to start, we\u2019ll help you figure it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/study-spaces\">Study Spaces<\/a> That Fit You<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone studies differently, so the library offers a wide range of spaces:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Quiet and silent study areas for focused work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Group study spaces for working together<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PCs, plug-in desks, and full Wi-Fi coverage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/libcal.dundee.ac.uk\/allspaces\">Bookable study rooms<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>During exam periods, the <strong>Main Library opens 24\/7<\/strong>, giving you the flexibility to study at a time that works for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Everyday Essentials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The library isn\u2019t just about studying \u2014 it\u2019s designed to make student life easier:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Printing, scanning, and copying at all sites<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Laptops available to borrow in the Main Library<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kitchenettes, microwaves, and vending machines<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A caf\u00e9 in the Main Library for hot food and drinks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Tips for First Years<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep your <strong>student ID card<\/strong> with you \u2014 you\u2019ll use it constantly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Try out different study spaces early and find what suits you<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spend a few minutes getting familiar with Library Search<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use your reading lists \u2014 they save a lot of time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask for help sooner rather than later<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Welcome to Your Library<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your library isn\u2019t just somewhere to borrow books \u2014 it\u2019s a place to learn, focus, ask questions, and feel supported throughout your degree. From your very first week to your final year, we\u2019re here to help you succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Welcome to the University of Dundee Library \u2014 we\u2019re glad you\u2019re here \ud83d\udc9b<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starting university can feel exciting, overwhelming, and a bit unreal all at once. New city, new people, new way of studying\u2026 and a lot of new buildings. One place you\u2019ll get to know very quickly is the University of Dundee Library \u2014 and it might just become your favourite spot on campus. Whether you\u2019re settling [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":841,"featured_media":1773,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,29,30,21],"tags":[56,33,47,22],"class_list":["post-2199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-facilities","category-resources","category-studying","category-support","tag-library-help","tag-online-resources","tag-student-life","tag-support"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/841"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2199"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2205,"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2199\/revisions\/2205"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.dundee.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}