Annual Report 2024–25

Our libraries are at the heart of student learning and discovery. We provide welcoming spaces, innovative services and opportunities for skills development and creativity – delivering an outstanding, inclusive experience that empowers every learner. 

• 91.5% NSS score for library services, above the sector average 
• 2,004,135 visits 
• 14 Customer Service Excellence ‘compliance plus’ awards reflecting exceptional quality 

On-demand support when it matters: 

• 80,721 enquiries answered
• 14,868,308 website interactions.

Student engagement with reading lists 

We make sure that students have the information resources they need to support their academic and personal interests, through ebooks, journals and digitisation. 

• 2,819 active reading lists 
• 797,680 full-text resources accessed from reading lists 
• 4,800 digitised items available as Online Course Readings 

Diversification of reading lists toolkit 

Our new diversification toolkit supports colleagues to enrich their reading lists with diverse perspectives. In collaboration with OD&PL we ran workshops to support embedding diversity into pedagogical practices. As a result, the toolkit will be incorporated into the School of Chemistry’s ‘Roadmap for Decolonisation’. 

Writing Space: nurturing confidence 

Our Writing Space is a relaxed, nurturing hub where student academic writing mentors provide peer-to-peer support that builds confidence and skills. 

• 304 students helped by mentors (10% increase on last year) 
• 2,116 visits (216% increase on last year) 
• 99% would recommend the service 

Academic skills development and workshops 

Our learning advisors work in partnership with academic and professional services colleagues to design and deliver in-curricular and co-curricular skills development opportunities for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students. 

• 25,844 students received academic or digital skills teaching 
• 2,591 students attended a Skills@Library workshop online or in person 
• 99.5% said they learned something to improve the way they work 
• 326 maths and statistics consultations 
• 1,098 students had academic skills appointments with our learning advisors 
• over 2.5 million interactions with online skills resources 

“Workshop leader was very positive, put everyone at their ease so it didn't seem so nerve wracking. She responded really well to breaking down the different types of reading strategies.” – Managing Your Reading Webinar feedback 

“Absolutely amazing!! I found it really useful and helpful in all aspects discussed. I feel comfortable and safe sharing all details and any concerns that I had. Thank you so much.” – One-to-one appointment feedback 

Innovating with Library Makerspace 

We foster creativity and problem-solving, increasing engagement and developing skills in the Makerspace. Our new student intern innovation partners provide peer-to-peer support and resources. Events range from technical training to art, sewing and digital creativity. 

• 3,607 user engagements 
• 1,722 participants 
• 205 events 

Our hugely popular ‘repair cafés’, run collaboratively with the Sustainability Service, divert waste and build community, helping staff and students fix clothes, phones, laptops, toys and more. 

• 9 repair cafés 
• 247 participants