Library

As a student at the University, few buildings in St Andrews will be as important to you as the library. The University holds a large number of collections and has experienced staff to help you access and use the library's resources to support your study and research.

At the University of St Andrews, you can study the way you want to: in the library cafe, in an individual study area or a group study room – you choose. You can also print, photocopy and scan in the library and use the huge number of online resources and tools we provide.

The Main Library

The Main Library is located in the centre of St Andrews. It's open for over 100 hours per week during the semester, including weekends. The Library offers a huge number of resources, which include:

  • over one million volumes
  • more than 400,000 e-books
  • thousands of print and electronic journals
  • academic databases
  • an extensive collection of DVDs
  • computers on each level of the library.

The Library also offers expert support from members of the academic liaison librarian team, who can provide help and training on finding information in the Library and online.

Using the Library is quick and simple. You'll be offered an orientation tour when you arrive, and the easy-to-use self-service machines mean it takes just seconds to check your books in and out.

University Collections

The University Collections include around 210,000 rare printed books, extensive manuscript and photographic collections, as well as the University archives which date back to the early 15th century.

Other libraries

There are a number of libraries elsewhere in the University. Those managed by the University Library service include:

  • The JF Allen Library, which holds books and journals for most science subjects. It offers a variety of quiet individual and group study spaces.
  • St Mary's College Library, which incorporates the historic King James Library, includes Divinity and Mediaeval History collections and has recently been refurbished.
  • The beautifully renovated Martyrs Kirk Research Library, which can be used by researchers and all postgraduates.

You will also be entitled to borrow from the nearby libraries of the universities of Dundee and Abertay.