Students and staff have access to a wide range of resources including books, eBooks, eJournals, databases and subject specific resources. You can access high quality academic materials by searching Discover More or visiting your subject resources. Access to online resources is provided using your University log-in credentials.
Discover More
Discover More allows you to search thousands of print and electronic resources in one handy location. We have recently upgraded Discover More, so it may look a little different – watch our video for guidance on getting the most out of your search results.
Finding a Book or eBook
As a student you are automatically a member of the University library and can borrow up to 25 items with your UniCard as soon as you have enrolled.
Use Discover More to search for books and eBooks. If you have chosen an eBook all you need to do is click on the link and you can read it on your screen immediately or download it.
If you have chosen a physical book, you will see the Library location followed by the call number. Make a note of the call number, including any letters (such as 808.042/GIL), and head to the library shelves.
Loaning a book
To issue your books take them to one of the self-issue machines located in the Library. Books are loaned on a two week rolling loan system, which will attempt to automatically renew your loans when they are due. So long as no one has placed a reservation on any of the items you have on loan, they will be renewed.
Find out more about using our services, including planning your visit, borrowing and further help and support available.
Reserving a book
If all copies of a book you would like are out on loan you can choose to reserve a copy. As soon as a copy is returned you will receive an email to your University email account letting you know it is ready to collect.
Discover More Video Guides
Watch our video guides for more information about searching for books, eBooks and journal articles in Discover More.
Subject Resources
Your subject resources are dedicated to your subject and are the key resources you will need for researching. Simply click on your chosen subject area and you will find instant access to scholarly (peer reviewed) research, journal articles, book reviews, newspapers and useful websites.
UniSkills Focus On: Resource Blogs
UniSkills write a monthly blog focusing on a different resource each time. In these quick reads you can learn about useful resources, how to access them and their benefits to your studies. All UniSkills blogs can be viewed over on the Library and Learning Services Blog and we have listed some useful ones below for you to get started.
Your reading list contains books, journals and digital resources that your tutors have highlighted as essential and/or recommended reading. You may find a copy of your reading list within your module handbook but you can also access your online reading list.
You can search for your reading list by your module code or name such as FDH110 – Essential Study Skills for Undergraduates.
Do not feel overwhelmed by your reading lists, you can be selective. It is unlikely that you will be asked to read everything on your list so take the time to find out which material is useful for your area of research. If you are unsure where to start you can always speak to your tutor for more guidance.
Watch our video guide to find out more about getting the most out of your online reading lists:
Getting the most out of your academic reading
Textbooks / eBooks
You do not need to read the entire book cover to cover.
Check the date / edition – is the information up to date / relevant?
Use the contents page / index / chapter headings to locate your topics of interest.
Search for key words using the eBook search function.
Journal Articles
Read the abstract – all the key information from the full article will be in here.
Read the introduction to understand the background / context of the research.
Read the conclusion / summary for a better understanding of the key research findings.
Once you’ve got an overview of the article you will know if it can be added to your ‘intensive reading’ pile or disregarded.
Accessibility features in eResources
Many publishers have produced platforms which are committed to providing all users with a fully accessible experience for research, teaching and learning. The different interfaces you come across during your reading will have differing degrees of accessibility options and features. These are normally found under settings or profile and you can adjust accordingly.
Typical accessibility features you can adjust include:
Be selective – you do not need to read everything ever written in your area of research.
Read with a purpose – what do you want to know / find out?
Identify your key words / terms – use your assignment brief.
Think about what you already know about your topic…but also what you do not know and will need to read to fill in those gaps.
Use your reading list – your tutors have highlighted essential and recommended reading to get you started.
Make notes as you read – jot down any important / useful information such as ideas, concepts, arguments, key author/researcher names you might want to follow up further.
Read aloud – this can improve reading comprehension and information retention.
Manage the ‘overwhelm’ by planning your research and reading time into your study schedule.
Keep a record of what you are reading – you will need this information to complete your reference list / bibliography.