Main Library

Main Library is located in Kensington and offers access to a wide range of materials, both print and online in the fields of arts & social sciences, built environment, business, engineering, medicine and science. See Main Library collection range for more information. Locate our facilities on the building maps with the mobile directory for Main Library and Law Library.

UNSW Library is open to UNSW students and staff. Tap your UNSW ID card at the Help Zone and sign in by scanning the QR code. At this time UNSW Library spaces and collections are not accessible by any other visitors. To protect our community, practice physical distancing, use sanitiser, wash your hands and no hot food or meals while in the Library.

UNSW students can Book a space to reserve individual study spaces on Level 2, 3, 4, 8 and Level 7 (Silent study).

Help Zone: +61 2 9065 9444

Postal address: Main Library, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia

UNSW Sydney map (Kensington campus) - Library Lawn reference F21

Main Library - Help Zone

Help Zone

The Help Zone is located inside the Library entrance. Visit us during staffed hours for assistance with your enquiries.

  • Borrow and return items
  • Pick up interlibrary loans
  • Pick up DVD and other requested items
  • Search the Library collection computer
  • Add credit to your UNSW ID card at recharge kiosks
  • Borrow laptops from self-service loan lockers
Main Library - self-checks at Help Zone and High Use Collection room entrance

Borrow and return items

You can borrow/return items using the self-check machines near the Help Zone on Level 2. Return loans via the return chute located near the Help Zone. An additional after hours return chute is open 24hrs a day and located at the back of the Library near Tutorial rooms 176A & 176B. Locate this on building maps with the mobile directory for Main Library and Law Library.

High Use Collection

The High Use Collection room is located near the Help Zone on Level 2. Short loans and requested items are located here. Borrow and return short loan items using the self-check machines in the High Use Collection room. Late return of these items will incur fines.
Main Library - Sample Group study rooms Level 4

Study rooms

To support requirements for physical distancing and COVID Safe measures, we have temporarily closed many collaborative areas. Open study rooms, pods and booths are available for single study only. Loans for headphones, VGA and HDMI cables have been temporarily suspended.

UNSW students can Book a space to reserve study spaces on Level 2, 3, 4 and 8.

Study rooms available on Levels 2, 3 & 4 and are equipped with LCD screens and whiteboards. Media booths available on Level 3 are equipped with an LCD screen and DVD/video player for viewing DVD and other multimedia from Library collection. Study pods are on Level 8 only. Check individual room details when booking for current capacity, specific furniture and equipment availability.
Main Library - Sample computer areas using individual desks or bench

Computers

Computers are available throughout the Library. Laptops can be borrowed from a self-service loan locker at the Main Library Help Zone. UNSW students can Book a space to reserve a desktop computer on Level 4.

Computer labs are located on Level 3. These computers and rooms are available for students to use when not booked by Library staff for classes.

For UNSW student and staff Wi-Fi access, UNSW Wireless Network (UniWide) is available throughout the Library for use with loan laptops or personal devices. University visitors may use their personal device to access the UNSW guest Wi-Fi service.
Main Library - Print/Copy Services desk Level 2 with printers and Print/Copy station Level 4

Print/Copy services

Help phones are located at the Print/Copy stations on Levels 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 for print copy scan enquiries. Further assistance is available at the Print/Copy Services desk on Level 2. Print/copy/scanners are available throughout the Library at the Print/Copy stations.

Add credit to your UNSW ID card at any campus recharge kiosk, the Help Zone, Print/Copy Services desk or pay online. See UNSW IT Printing for students for charges.
Main Library - 24x7 individal and collaborative desk space areas

Level 2 lounges

To support requirements for physical distancing and COVID Safe measures, we have temporarily closed many collaborative areas as well as kitchenettes and designated eating areas. The lounges are available for study only. No hot food or meals are to be brought into the library.

You will find a range of individual and collaborative study choices with Wi-Fi available, study rooms, computers and printers. Some collaborative areas contain high tables and chairs. Designated eating areas which include a microwave are available in the front student lounge and in the student study space’s kitchenette. For more information see Food in the Library.
Main Library - a view of postgraduate study desk spaces and group study rooms

Postgraduate study space

To support requirements for physical distancing and COVID Safe measures, we have temporarily closed many collaborative areas as well as kitchenettes and designated eating areas. Study rooms are available for single study only. No hot food or meals are to be brought into the library.

For postgraduate students only, this space on Level 4 is open during Main Library opening hours by swipe access. You will find a range of individual and collaborative study choices with study desks, computers, printers, device charging lockers and a designated eating area including kitchenette and microwave. For more information see Food in the Library.

Book a space to reserve study spaces. Study rooms are equipped with whiteboards and two rooms with LCD screens. Check individual room details when booking for current capacity, specific furniture and equipment availability.
Main Library - Help Zone showing location of Wayfinder Kiosk

Touch screen kiosks

Touch screen kiosk is located in the Main Library Help Zone. Use the kiosk to locate bookable seat areas, study rooms, collections, computer areas and facilities such as toilets, printers, lifts and stairs. You can also use them to locate facilities, faculties and services on the Kensington & Paddington campuses.
Main Library - Newspapers and music shelves on Level 3

Music

Headphones are currently unavailable.

A collection of music CDs can be found on Level 3 near the front stairs. CDs can be borrowed and used on a Library computer or personal device. Headphones can be borrowed from the Help Zone.

Main Library - Maps shelves and viewing desk, microform area containing microform reader machines

Maps & microform

Map collection is located on Level 3. For assistance, ask at the Help Zone. A large scale printer and light table is available for viewing and printing maps. For more information on finding print and online maps.

Microform collection is located on Level 4. It includes newspapers, statistics, journals and conference papers. Microform readers are available for viewing and printing.
Main Library - Sample facilities with whiteboards and print/copy station, lift foyer level 3 inc computers and water bubbler, snack vending machines and UNSW Security Help Point intercom at Library entrance

Facilities

Toilets

  • Male toilets (including an ambulant cubicle) are located on Levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9
  • Female toilets (including an ambulant cubicle) are located on Levels 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8
  • Accessible unisex toilets with baby change tables are located on Levels 2, 3 and 4

Whiteboards

  • Whiteboards are located in collaborative study areas on Levels 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 and in most study rooms

Device charging

  • Device charging stations on Level 2
  • Device charging lockers on Level 2 and 3
  • Device charging lockers in the Postgraduate study space on Level 4
  • Portable battery chargers available for loan at Help Zone (require your own cable) - currently unavailable

Also in this Library

  • Search the Library collection computers on each level
  • Lifts and stairs to all Library levels
  • Library Help Point phone near lift foyer on each level (except Level 2)
  • Stairs to UNSW Archives on Level 1 (appointment required)
  • UNSW Security Help Point intercom located in the lift foyer on each level, student study space entrance on Level 2 and in the Postgraduate study space on Level 4
  • Water bubblers are located in the lift foyer on each level
  • Snack vending machines are located at the Library entrance on Level 2
  • Batteries and mobile phones recycling box near the return chute on Level 2

Assistive technology centre

The Assistive technology centre is located in room 207, on Level 2. Register to use this room with Equitable Learning Services.

 
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