Our libraries offer a broad range of services to support you on every step of your learning journey.
New services and updates
Skills tutors
We've recently welcomed a new team of maths and academic writing tutors who are dedicated to helping you improve your skills in these vital areas. Click here to book a 1-2-1 appointment with Sergio (pictured), Jane or Edward.
New monitors
On the ground floor of The Sir Michael Cobham Library we now have eight large screens for you to dock your laptops into. There’s no need to book - just turn up and plug in.
Comfy spaces
Following student feedback we've designed our new comfy corner on the first floor of The Sir Michael Cobham Library as a place for you to relax, chat, catch up or get lost in a good book. Come and check it out soon.
There are also two new places to get your caffeine (or caffeine-free) fix in our library on Talbot Campus.
The Coffee Cabin, right next to the helpdesk on our ground floor, isn’t just your normal coffee vending machine, serving barista-quality brews from freshly ground beans. It’s available any time the library is open.
There’s a newly opened Caffè Nero on the ground floor, where you can enjoy award-winning Italian coffee while you catch up with friends or take a break. There’s an entrance inside the library and also from the courtyard outside.
Academic reading lists
Being able to read effectively for your degree is essential for success. To support BU's blended model of learning and to improve access to Library resources our Faculty Library Teams have worked closely with academic colleagues to create reading lists that contain resources that are fully accessible online. Reading lists can be accessed via unit areas in Brightspace or via Talis Aspire.
Peer Assisted Learning
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) is run by the Library & Learning Support team and promotes peer-to-peer support between students on the same programme. Students in their first year of study will usually receive regular PAL sessions with their designated PAL leader from the year above. PAL leaders facilitate discussion, generate activities and tasks to develop your learning and share their experience and knowledge. You can find out more about PAL on Brightspace. You can also contact the Central PAL team via email at [email protected].
Online resources
There is a large collection of e-books and e-journals available online, which you can find out more about on the BU website, on Brightspace or by chatting to the Library & Learning Support Team.
Study Skills workshops
The Library & Learning Support team host many online study skills workshops to support you during your studies. These bookable workshops are designed to enrich your learning and include; Introduction to Library E-resources, Essay Planning, Literature Searching, Academic Writing, BU Harvard Referencing, Critical Thinking, EndNote Web, Organisational Skills and Reflective Writing. You can view all the upcoming workshops and book your space on Brightspace.
Shorter versions of these workshops have been pre-recorded and are always available on the library’s Study Skills area in Brightspace for you to browse. There is also a dedicated guide to support you with studying online. More information about these resources, including a full list of workshops and further links to Language Skills, IT Skills and English Language Support is available on the library’s Study Skills area in Brightspace.
Language Learning
Library & Learning Support also provides English language support for students whose first language is not English. This includes workshops, 1-2-1 appointments with the Language Adviser and a range of online resources.
Languages@BU offers independent foreign language learning for students who would like to learn a new language or brush up their existing skills in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin Chinese. We run Conversation Clubs facilitated by students who are native speakers of the languages on offer.
Chat and email enquiry service
BU’s subject specialist librarians can support you with research and you can book an online appointment for 1-2-1 help with discovering library resources or enhancing your study skills.
If you have a general question for the library team please contact them online via the Library chat service or email [email protected]. These services are staffed Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm during term time. The library FAQs may also help you with any queries.
