Student Libraries
Space to learn and grow
Our five libraries are key hubs for student learning (there are four on campus, one at St James’s University Hospital). We provide over 5,000 warm, safe study spaces with access to IT, wifi, breakout areas and bookable group rooms, as well as individual silent spaces for concentrating.
Pre-pandemic we welcomed around 2.8 million visits per year. Visitor numbers decreased during the pandemic, but student use in 2022/23 is once again increasing to previous levels.
We continually improve our spaces to meet the changing needs of our students. Over the last four years, we created over 150 new high quality study spaces in the Brotherton Library West Building. Next door in the iconic Main Reading Room we provided new power and lighting to every study space to bring our oldest library up to modern standards.
Other projects currently underway will further enhance our students’ experience by creating dedicated wellbeing spaces, faith spaces and a student-focused makerspace.
