Library Resources

Feedback Focus aims to explore your experiences of the library. Our focus in January 2026 was on the library's resources.

There is a huge amount of resources available to you via the Library...

In addition to books, ebooks and journals there is plenty of other materials available via the library, including: 

  • Subject guides
  • TV & films
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Theses and dissertations
  • Databases
  • Special collections and archives
  • Grey literature
Student choosing a book from a shelf

What we asked you

We gathered feedback via a short online survey and a board displayed in the library building.

  1. What is the most useful library resource for you?
  2. Where do you go to look for resources that you need?
  3. Do you always find the resources you need? If not, what do you do?

What you told us

You said that these library resources are the most useful to you:

48% of you said you use OneSearch to look for the resources you need. You also go to:

  • The portal
  • The library building
  • A specific subject section in the library
  • The front desk/library staff
  • iLancaster
  • Your friends

Many of you said that you can usually find the resources you need. When you can’t, you: 

  • Ask staff at the front desk, use live chat or email the library
  • Submit a request for a resource we don't already have access to using our Request a Resource form
  • Search on Google
  • Search on other sites including JSTOR and Google Scholar
  • Ask a friend or colleague for help
  • Recall a book using OneSearch if it’s on loan to someone else
  • Look online to buy second hand copies of books
  • Some of you said that you struggle to find enough resources on certain topics
  • Others said that they’re not sure how to find resources, or wouldn’t know what to do if they couldn't find what they need