The Main Library is the largest of our sites, with nearly 2,000 study spaces and is open 24/7 during term time. Located in the centre of campus in the Green Heart, it houses the majority of our collections both on the upper floors and in our Research Reserve.
Facilities
Collections
The Main Library houses over 400,000 books, journals, DVDs, CDs and more, over the first, second, and third floors. Search for items on our library catalogue, or use our interactive map to browse by subject. Over 50 km of research stock is in the Research Reserve on the lower ground floor.
You can borrow items using the self-issue machines on the ground, first, and second floors, and can bring them back using the returns machine on the ground floor, just before the entrance gates.
Study spaces
- The Main Library has nearly 2,000 spaces over five floors, including Group Study Rooms, Assistive Technology Booths, and the Postgraduate Researchers' Suite.
- The Media Room is a quiet zone. If you wish to have a Zoom meeting, please use the Wolfson Room.
- Check the MyUoB app for "Library Space" to find out how many seats are available.
Computers
Some of the PCs in the Main Library can be booked in advance, and we have laptops you can borrow.
Photocopying, printing, scanning
Our multifunctional devices allow you to print, scan and photocopy using the same machine. We also have several dedicated book scanners.
Café
Fellows Coffee Shop sells sandwiches, cakes, snacks, and hot and cold drinks, with seating.
Training facilities
The fourth floor Main Library Training Room and the Academic Skills Centre on the first floor are used for a variety of skills and research training sessions.
UBWell@MainLibrary
This chill-out area is on the ground floor of the Main Library, with soft seating, helpful information, and contacts for advice.
General facilities
- A Community Pantry donation point is inside the main entrance foyer.
- Gender neutral toilets are on the ground floor and the first floor, as well as male and female toilets.
- Water fountains are available throughout the building.
- Free lockers are available on the ground floor of the Main Library, to the right of the entrance gates, and in the Postgraduate Researchers' Suite.
- Community Hub: displays about University and community activities and services
Accessibility
- A guide to the Main Library on AccessAble
- The Main Library has four Assistive Technology Booths for students with RAPs from Student Support. They can be booked online or by contacting us.
- You can borrow a deaf alerter from the Help Desk.
- Height-adjustable desks are on the ground, first, second and third floors of the library. They are marked by a yellow sticker in the corner. They are also available in computer clusters.
- Coloured paper, large print keyboards, and ergonomic mice are available from the Help Desk.
- Four of the lockers on the ground floor are reserved for users with a disabilities.
- We offer tours of the library as well as further guidance regarding the services we offer for users with disabilities. Please contact us to find out more.
- Find out more about the accessibility of our services.