Welcome to your Library, University of Sydney

Welcome to your Library

Research, study, meet friends and make the most of uni life

Here to help

Connect instantly online with Live Chat, visit an information desk at our locations, or check our online resources and Frequently Asked Questions.

Contact the Library

Nearby on campus

The University of Sydney Library has 14 locations across campuses, including in Darlington/ Camperdown, Camden and Sydney CBD.

See locations & opening hours

Getting started

Library website

Learn about our services, access help and over 2 million resources using our website or app.

Your Student ID

Your Student ID card is your key to the Library. Use your card to access Library spaces and to borrow.

Your UniKey

Doing research and assignments

Access your reading lists

You will need to read certain books or articles for your course. These are set by the academic teaching your course. You can access these through Canvas.

Access reading lists on Canvas

Find scholarly sources

‘Scholarly sources’ are written by experts, such as researchers or other academics at a university. This information is not usually available through regular search engines like Google or Baidu. You can use Library Search and academic databases to find scholarly sources.

Use Library Search

Improve your searching

Our quick online training courses can help you learn skills to use Library Search and other scholarly databases. You can also find helpful information and resources specific to your course in our subject guides.

Assignment support

Subject guides

Referencing and academic honesty

You will need to reference all sources you use in your assignments. The style of referencing depends on the subject. Our referencing guide contains information on different referencing styles.

Learn about plagiarism

See our referencing guide

Borrowing

Our students can borrow from over 3 million physical items, including journals, multimedia, legal publications and fiction. There are no limits on how much you can borrow.

1. Search

Use Library Search to find the item you want and see how to access it. Electronic resources can be viewed instantly.

2. Collect

For physical items, visit the Library where the item is held and use the call number to find it on the shelf. Use your student card to borrow the item at a self-checkout machine.

3. Return

Many items can be borrowed for up to a year, unless the item is recalled. For more information, see Borrowing terms and conditions.

Rare Books & Special Collections

We have over 70,000 incredible items in our rare and special collections, including:

Rare books by Isaac Newtown, Charles Darwin and Lewis Carroll
A Cuneiform tablet and from 2,350 BC (cuneiorm script is the oldest form of writing)
Over 1,500 priceless comic books
An extensive science fiction collection, considered one of the best in the world.

Learn more about Rare Books & Special Collections

Using Library spaces

Whether you need a place to study, meet with an assignment group or just sit down and relax, you’re always welcome in Library spaces.

Study at the Library

With over 5,000 study spaces across library locations for individual or group study and handy facilities, the Library is your home away from home.

Bookable desks, group study rooms and computers
Printers & scanners (load funds onto SydPay to use this service)
Wi-Fi (sign in with your UniKey)
Nap pods
Kitchens and vending machines

If you need to leave your desk, leave a BRB card to reserve it for up to 30 minutes while you’re gone and remember to take your belongings with you.

Book a desk

Use technology and equipment

Let your imagination run wild with free access to ThinkSpace and CreateSpace. Collaborate, design and create with:

3D printers
Virtual Reality
CNC carving
One-Button Recording Studio

Just bring your ideas and we can help make them a reality or come along to one of our workshops and discover what’s possible.

Discover Technology Spaces

Connect with others

Meet your guides to uni life

Peer Learning Advisors are students ready to help you. They can answer your questions about study tips, making friends, using the Library and more.

Chat with a Peer Learning Advisor

Catch up in person at some library locations or video chat using PeerConnect - no need to make an appointment.

PeerPod - a podcast by the Peer Learning Advisors

Tune into PeerPod for helpful advice about uni life you can hear on the go.

Get in touch with a Peer Learning Advisor

Workshops and events

Learn, relax, look after yourself and meet friends.

New to Uni? The Library holds a series of events for Welcome Week to help you settle in to uni and prepare for study.

See upcoming workshops and events