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With over 3.5 million books, some 7,000 current periodical subscriptions and a wide range of electronic resources, the John Rylands University Library is one of the largest academic libraries in the UK.
Admission to the library, which is located at the end of Burlington Street, is controlled by turnstiles operated using your University swipecard, which also serves as your library card. The computer catalogue of the library provides details of the books and periodicals available and can be used to reserve and renew books. It can be accessed using dedicated terminals distributed throughout the library and through the library's website. Graduate students may borrow 12 books plus additional books from a short loan collection which contains duplicate copies of books in heavy demand. The majority of periodicals are restricted to the library to ensure ready availability. Any material that is not available in the library may be ordered through the document supply unit. The main information desk is at the top of the escalator where staff will be pleased to help you to make best use of the library and the computing facilities. Additional information desks are distributed throughout the library together with self-service photocopiers. A range of guides is available including a general library guide, bookmark guides, which contain basic information specific to individual subjects and a series of general guides which cover various library services and facilities. In addition, a series of information sources guides, which describe the printed and electronic information sources relevant to particular subjects are available, together with leaflets describing the content and use of particular electronic databases.
Nearly 200 electronic services, including the main scientific, engineering, biological and medical databases, are available through a library web-based service called Rybase. About 250 computers in the library can be used to access these services and the other resources available through the University network, including word-processing and other software, e-mail and the internet. The electronic databases provided by the library may also be accessed from elsewhere on the University network. The library website provides information and news about the library and its services, access to the library catalogue and links to electronic publications and the catalogues of other libraries. A section on navigating the internet provides access to internet subject guides and links to a wide range of information resources and internet search tools. Each year sessions are arranged to introduce new students to the library and the information resources that are available.
A training suite in the library is used to provide hands-on training in the use of electronic databases. These sessions are normally arranged by programme directors; however, library subject specialists can provide additional tours and training as required. If you need any help or information about the library, its resources and services; please do not hesitate to contact 275 3738.
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