The University Library and its staff are here to support your studies, providing you with access to information – online, multimedia or printed – and the skills to make the most of it.
The Library is much more than a collection of books, however. It offers places to study, a café and access to a range of support services. Make the most of the support from your Academic Liaison Librarian and the Study Advice team to guide you to the materials you need for your studies and to develop the skills to study successfully.
To learn more about the library and its services, check out the ‘Your Library Guide‘ and the ‘New Student Guide‘.
Throughout the Welcome period there’ll be lots of exciting activities taking place that you can get involved in.
Library Welcome events
Guided Library tours run by our friendly Library team
Our Library tours run every 30 minutes between 10:00–15:00, Monday – Thursday of Welcome Week (17 – 22 September). Meet in the Library foyer to join a guided tour and find out how to find and borrow books, where to find the right study space for you, and how to access help and support throughout the year.
Legendary Library Escape Challenge – Thursday 21 September 10:00 -14:00, Library Foyer
It’s back by popular demand! How fast can you solve the clues to unlock the secret box, learning about the Library as you go? Come to the Library foyer between 10:00 – 14:00 and join a team to solve the Escape Challenge.
Borrow a mystery book – Tuesday 19 September and Wednesday 20 September
Library staff have recommended some great reads from the Library collections. We’ve hidden them in paper bags and mixed them up, so why not borrow a mystery book from our lucky dip to try something new? Ask a member of the Library team in the Library foyer for more information.
Badge making and paper crafts – Tuesday 19 September 11:00 – 14:00, Library Foyer
Drop in to the Library foyer from 11:00 – 14:00 on Tuesday 19 September and enjoy some peaceful crafting – make a badge inspired by the University Museum and Special Collections and discover our rare books, archives and museum collections.
Get to know your University Library talk – Tuesday 19 September 15:00-15:45, Palmer 102
Your University Library provides access to the information sources you will need to do well in your studies, and its staff will help you find and make the best use of these resources. In this talk you’ll learn more about the Library, its resources, study spaces and staff, including how your dedicated Librarian and the Study Advice team can support you throughout your studies at the University of Reading.
Drop-in, no need to sign up. For more information, check out the UoR Welcome App.
Roving help
Feeling lost and overwhelmed in the Library? Missed the guided tour? Don’t panic! Our friendly team are always here to help you with your questions at the Welcome Desk on the ground floor, but during Welcome week we also have our roving helpers in the Library foyer to direct you where you need to go, explain Library mysteries and help you find and borrow your first book.