Study Spaces

Our main University Library is situated at the heart of the Ormskirk campus in Catalyst and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during term time. Please check our live opening hours pages for up to date information.

Catalyst is a new building (opened summer 2018) and offers a range of fantastic study spaces for students.

Key facilities include:

• Access to over 250,000 print and digital learning resources (books, journals and databases)
• Including an online digital library
• A range of group, quiet and silent study spaces
• Networked PCs, loanable laptops and Wi-Fi access (eduroam)
• A PC Availability App
• Printing, copying and scanning
• Access to help and support from a range of specialist staff
• A range of assistive technologies
• Bookable study rooms

If you are not based on our Ormskirk campus, we also have Libraries at Aintree and Manchester and both are open to all Edge Hill University students. Please check our live opening hours pages for up to date information about each site.

Finding Information

As a student you are automatically a member of the University Library and can borrow resources with your UniCard straight away. The Library Catalogue is the go-to place for books and eBooks.

Finding and Loaning a Book

You can use the Library Catalogue to search for books or eBooks. If you have chosen an eBook all you need to do is click on the link and read it on screen or download it. If you have chosen a print book, you’ll see the library location followed by the shelf mark. Make a note of the shelfmark (including any letters e.g. 808.042/GIL) and head to Catalyst.

To issue your book take it to one of the self-issue machines located on the ground, first and second floors of Catalyst. Books are loaned on a rolling loan system, which will attempt to automatically renew your loans 3 days before 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. You will be sent an email after every renewal attempt to let you know which books have been successfully renewed, including their new due date, and any which will need returning on their current due date. You can read more about using our services on our main webpages.

If a book you want is out on loan, then simply reserve it and we will send you an email to let you know when it is ready for collection. If books are available on the shelf you do not need to reserve them, just head straight to the shelves and pick up a copy.

If you ever need a book we do not currently stock you can request it via our Add a Book service.

You can also access digital library resources in a variety of ways, take a look at our Digital Library tab for more info.

Finding Your Reading List

From the library catalogue you can also search for your Reading List. Reading Lists are the best starting point when reading for your subject, as they contain reading your tutors have identified as compulsory and/or recommended. To locate your module Reading List, navigate to the Library Catalogue and visit Reading Lists at the top of the page. You can also watch the following video for more information…

Digital Library

Your student log in details will give you access to a wide range of online resources, including:

• eBooks (Library Catalogue)
• Online Journals (Discover More)
• Specialist Subject Resources
• Learning Edge

Learning Edge contains all your course and module materials, your tutors may also refer to it as Blackboard or the VLE.

Learning Edge is also home to your My Library tab, which houses lots of information about Library & Learning Services support. On here you will also find lots of academic skills (UniSkills) support, including online toolkits, and specialist support for your subject area.

If you need help accessing and using our online resources, or to develop your information literacy skills required for library research, then your tutors and UniSkills team can help you further. Watch the video below to find out more about your digital library…

UniSkills

UniSkills is a package of workshops, hands-on support and online resources to help you develop a range of essential academic study skills and to enable you to produce high quality University assignments. Whether you are just starting your very first assignment and want to learn about planning and structure, or you are writing your final dissertation and need help with referencing, we can help you.

There are various ways to access UniSkills support including:

• UniSkills Webpages – on here you can access online resources, including interactive toolkits, videos and online guides, which are all available online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also access these resources via your My Library tab.

• UniSkills Workshops – these are a series of small group sessions, focusing on a particular set of academic skills and techniques. For example, finding academic information, developing your academic writing skills, writing your undergraduate/postgraduate dissertation, referencing and delivering powerful presentations to name a few!

• 1-2-1 Support – you can drop in and have a chat with one of the UniSkills team weekdays 11am-2pm for any quick queries or book a 1-2-1 appointment to discuss your academic writing or information search skills in more detail. For further information visit the Catalyst Helpdesk or Ask Us online.

• Peer to Peer Support – if you’d like support from a fellow student then get in touch with one of our Student Advisors. They are 2^nd/3^rd or Postgraduate students at Edge Hill University and can offer a great variety of subject knowledge from their own disciplines together with a wealth of experience from their own university journey.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the latest UniSkills Timetable when you’re next on campus!

Disability Support

Library & Learning Services have a specialist team who work with students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD). Their work includes assessments for dyslexia and other SpLDs, applications for disabled students’ allowance and support using assistive technologies. We have a range of specialist software which can support all students, for example ‘text to speech’ for proof reading and mind mapping to help you develop assignment plans in a more visual way.

For further information visit Catalyst Helpdesk or Ask Us online.

Ask Us

Catalyst Helpdesk

Find help and support at the Catalyst helpdesk. The Helpdesk is open weekdays 8am to 8pm and weekends 10am to 6pm. For more information about Catalyst opening hours and our other Libraries at Aintree and Manchester click here.

Ask Us

You can use our online help tool Ask Us 24 hours a day. In Ask Us you can search our FAQs, send us an email, text us or even live chat with us!

Next Steps...

Your first weeks at University…

Access Library & Learning Services online induction information – Find lots of useful information for new starters, plus a recap of your Learning and Support Services Induction in case you missed it!

Visit us in Catalyst and go on a tour – Student led Catalyst tours will run during the first two weeks of term but if you cannot wait to take a look around why not watch our student led virtual Catalyst tour right now…

Log in to Learning Edge – Check out your My Library tab where you will find links to subject specific and academic study skills resources.

Explore your resources and Reading Lists – Find material that your tutors have identified as essential reading.

Discover UniSkills – UniSkills is a range of workshops, online toolkits and face-to-face support to help you plan, write and reference your work at University.

Find help and support – Catalyst Helpdesk is open weekdays 8am to 8pm and weekends 10am to 6pm.You can also find answers to the most popular question online via Ask Us.

Follow us – Follow Library & Learning Services on our Library & Learning Services Blog and social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to keep up-to-date with the latest news and what is happening across our service.