Library spaces

Everyone studies and prefers to work in different ways, which is why the Library provides a number of spaces across the University to offer a range of environments in different locations. 

Check below for information about the opening times for each of the library spaces, where you can find them, what facilities are available and for photographs of each of the locations. Wifi is available at each location.

The interactive map gives directions to different buildings and view the AccessAble website for information about physical access to key University buildings.  

If you need a printer, check the locations in PC classrooms. 

Main Library

This week's opening hours

Monday
8am to 2am (Help Desk 9am to 9pm)
Tuesday
8am to 2am (Help Desk 9am to 9pm)
Wednesday
8am to 2am (Help Desk 9am to 9pm)
Thursday
8am to 2am (Help Desk 9am to 9pm)
Friday
8am to 2am (Help Desk 9am to 9pm)
Saturday
8am to 2am (Help Desk 11am to 5pm)
Sunday
8am to 2am (Help Desk 11am to 5pm)

Don't forget

Please save your work and start to gather your belongings 15 minutes before the advertised closing time for the building. Staff will begin closing procedures at this time.

Located in the town centre, just off North Street and close to St Salvator's Quad, this is our largest library space.

All University staff and students can use this library.

Entry on the ground floor (called Level 2) is via a ramp. The building has four floors, accessible by stairs. A lift is available.  

  • All University staff and students can browse and borrow the collections using the self-service machines and can use study space in this building.

    • Library Help Desk and IT Services
    • Four bookable study rooms are available on Level 2. Visit Resource Booker for more information and bookings.
    • A variety of seats including height adjustable desks on all floors, areas for group study on floors 1 and 2, and individual study options on all floors
    • A dedicated space for postgraduate study is available on Level 1
    • Individual and group study spaces with adjustable lighting are available on Level 1
    • Levels 3 and 4 are silent areas
    • Library search PCs
    • PCs for use
    • Print, copy and scan machines
    • Zoomtech equipment of Level 2
    • A contemplation room on Level 4
    • Self-service borrow and return machines
    • Blu-ray and DVD viewing stations
    • Toilets
    • An assistive technology room is located in the Main Library. Contact Student Services if you'd like to use this.
    • Café - find out more information about University cafés.
    • Lidded drinks as well as snacks and cold foods are permitted on Levels 1 & 2. Lidded drinks are permitted on Levels 3 & 4, but no food is allowed.

     

  • University of St Andrews Library
    North Street
    St Andrews
    KY16 9TR

    Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2331/2

    Email: library@st-andrews.ac.uk

     
  • Students sitting at a library study desk with books and laptops

St Mary’s College Library, incorporating the King James Library

This week's opening hours

Monday
9am to 1am
Tuesday
9am to 1am
Wednesday
9am to 1am
Thursday
9am to 1am
Friday
9am to 1am
Saturday
9am to 1am
Sunday
9am to 1am

Don't forget

Please save your work and start to gather your belongings 15 minutes before the advertised closing time for the building. Staff will begin closing procedures at this time.

These libraries can be found on South Street, and are part of St Mary’s Quad.

All University staff and students can use these spaces.

Access to St Mary's is flat and on the ground floor. Study space is available upstairs in the King James Library, but this is only accessible via stairs.

    • 42 study spaces
    • Self-service borrowing and return
    • Click and collect  and Inter-Library Loan pick-up
    • Library and IT Service Desks
    • 1 print, copy, and scan machine
    • Individual desk lamps
    • Toilets
    • Lidded drinks are permitted, but no food is allowed.
  • St Mary's College Library
    South Street
    St Andrews
    KY16 9JU

  • King James Library

Martyrs Kirk, Thomson Reading Room

This week's opening hours

Monday
8.30am to 1.30am
Tuesday
8.30am to 1.30am
Wednesday
8.30am to 1.30am
Thursday
8.30am to 1.30am
Friday
8.30am to 1.30am
Saturday
8.30am to 1.30am
Sunday
8.30am to 1.30am

Don't forget

Please save your work and start to gather your belongings 15 minutes before the advertised closing time for the building. Staff will begin closing procedures at this time.

The Thomson Reading Room is part of Martyrs Kirk, on North Street.

Postgraduate students, including taught postgraduates, and University staff can use this space.

Access to the building is up a short set of steps.

    • 40 study spaces
    • Print, copy and scan machines
    • Power sockets
    • Toilets
    • Lidded drinks are permitted in the Thomson Reading Room, but no food is allowed.
  • Martyrs Kirk Research Library
    80 North Street
    St Andrews
    KY16 9HH

    Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2331/2

    Email: library@st-andrews.ac.uk

  • Students studying at desks in Martyrs Kirk

Butts Wynd Building, Study Rooms

This week's opening hours

Monday
24 hours
Tuesday
24 hours
Wednesday
24 hours
Thursday
24 hours
Friday
24 hours
Saturday
24 hours
Sunday
24 hours

ID swipe card access to the study rooms, PG lounge, and PC classrooms.

You can find the Butts Wynd Building across from the Main Library entrance.

As well as 24 hour PC classrooms and the PG Lounge, two group study rooms (Group Study Room 8 and Group Study Room 12) are available for drop-in use, and any seminar or teaching room can be used while no teaching is taking place.

Access is available via one of two ground level entrances. One at the rear of the building facing the Main Library, the other on Butts Wynd. The rooms are split over two floors, accessible via stairs. A lift is available. 

  • All University students can use the PC classrooms and the Group Study Rooms.

    • Print, copy and scan machines
    • PCs
    • Toilets
    • Lift
    • Lidded drinks are permitted, but no food is allowed.

     

     

     

  • Butts Wynd
    St Andrews
    KY16 9AJ

  • Students sit around a table working with laptop computers and books

JF Allen Library

This week's opening hours

Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
9am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Friday
9am to 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Don't forget

Please save your work and start to gather your belongings 15 minutes before the advertised closing time for the building. Staff will begin closing procedures at this time.

This library is located upstairs in the Physics building, on the North Haugh.

All University staff and students can use this library.

The main entrance is flat on the ground floor. The library one floor up, accessible via stairs. A lift is available, but please note that it is located at a fair distance from the entrance.

Teaching takes place from 2pm until 6pm each day. Please be mindful of classes when accessing collections and study spaces during these times.

    • 70 study spaces
    • Self-service borrowing and return
    • 6 PCs
    • 2 study rooms
    • 1 print, copy, and scan machine
    • Power sockets
    • Lidded drinks are permitted, but no food is allowed.
  • School of Physics and Astronomy
    North Haugh
    St Andrews
    KY16 9SS

  • Students studying in JF Allen Library

Library at The Gateway

This week's opening hours

Monday
9am to 9pm
Tuesday
9am to 9pm
Wednesday
9am to 9pm
Thursday
9am to 9pm
Friday
9am to 9pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Don't forget

Please save your work and start to gather your belongings 15 minutes before the advertised closing time for the building. Staff will begin closing procedures at this time.

The Library at The Gateway is in the basement level of the large round building on the North Haugh, which also houses the School of Management.

All University staff and students can use this library as a study space.

Access to the library is down one flight of stairs. A lift is available.

 

    • 52 study spaces
    • 17 PCs
    • 1 print, copy, and scan machine
    • Power sockets
    • Toilets
  • The Gateway
    North Haugh
    St Andrews
    KY16 9RJ

Walter Bower House Library

This week's opening hours

Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
9am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Friday
9am to 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Don't forget

Please save your work and start to gather your belongings 15 minutes before the advertised closing time for the building. Staff will begin closing procedures at this time.

The Walter Bower House Library is located within Eden Campus, Guardbridge.

All University students and staff can use this space. Email library@st-andrews.ac.uk if you would like a tour.

Entry to the building is flat, and the library is on the ground floor.

    • 10 study spaces
    • Print, copy and scan machine
    • Self-service borrow and return machines
    • DVD/VHS viewing station
    • Power sockets
    • Lidded drinks are permitted, but no food is allowed.
  • Walter Bower House
    Eden Campus
    Guardbridge

    Email: library@st-andrews.ac.uk

  • A row of desks and seating is shown in front of shelving.

Centuries of enlightenment

The history of the University of St Andrews Library begins with Scotland’s oldest reading room, the King James Library. Read about how Royal gifts founded this library and the ways that the collections have grown, together with some of the significant figures who have visited and used this “elegant and luminous” place.