Learning Resources
Library facilities
The University Library was founded in 1612 and has acquired a wealth of material of special interest to the postgraduate student. The major collections are housed in a modern building, where specialist staff and up-to-date facilities enable the postgraduate to exploit the Library's riches to the full. The total Library stock, including departmental libraries, comprises over one million books, over 2,700 printed periodicals, an extensive audio-visual collection, and other types of material. Over 100 online databases are subscribed to, and over 6,000 electronic journals are currently available. These e-resources are accessible 24 hours a day, from both on and off-campus.
A Special Collections Department houses around 120,000 rare printed books, as well as the University's fine manuscript and photographic collections. There are also substantial libraries on the North Haugh site for Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Computer Science, Medicine and Chemistry; and in St Mary's Quad for Divinity and Mediaeval History.
Generous loan periods, reciprocal borrowing rights with local and national universities, and a fast Interlibrary Loan service for obtaining material not in stock, ensure that you have easy access to resources. A self-issue machine allows self-service borrowing during opening hours.
There are more than 700 study spaces in the Main Library, including bookable carrels specifically for postgraduates, and a large computer cluster for database access, email and wordprocessing. Other services include photocopiers on each floor, lockers for rent, and a Library Bindery offering fast binding at reasonable rates.
IT Services
Through its IT Services unit the University provides a comprehensive computer service to all staff and students. Underpinning the computer service is a high-speed network which reaches into all University buildings and offices including a residential service (ResNet) to the study bedrooms in halls of residence.
The main central computing services provide file storage facilities, email and World Wide Web services and access to a range of sophisticated software for data storage, analysis and display. WebMail allows access to email from anywhere with an internet connection.
Several computer classrooms and clusters are available throughout the University for direct access; some of these may be booked for use by all members of the University. In addition to the teaching software installed on these systems, a range of software for word-processing, spreadsheet, database and statistical work is also available. Network printing facilities are provided. Access to some computer classrooms is available on a 24-hour basis and most University Schools have additional computer facilities for their postgraduates to use; in combination this constitutes an excellent computer provision for postgraduate students.
An IT Service Desk, located in the University Library, is open during the working day and may be contacted via email or telephone. Problems may be solved on the spot or referred to an appropriate expert. There may occasionally be a small charge for repairs to personal equipment.