Learning Resources

Learning Centres/Libraries



You will find a wealth of learning resources at your fingertips, including over three-quarters of a million library items. We have invested substantially in new learning centres and IT studios to provide you with a high quality learning environment that includes free email and internet access, online library facilities and self-service machines where you can take out and renew books quickly and easily. We have wi-fi spots all over the University.

As well as housing books, journals and special collections, our libraries come fully equipped with computing and audio-visual facilities. You will find areas where you can work with other students and also quiet study places. Our resources include DVDs, videos and sound recordings, slides and online information services.

Our library catalogue can be consulted online, whether you are on campus or at home. Once you have registered with the libraries, you can reserve material and access your own borrower record. You’ll find that the library closest to your place of study is stocked with resources specifically related to your course. Library staff are on hand at all sites to offer advice on using the catalogue, finding information and books and using the online services.
Specialist subject librarians for each department give hands-on teaching sessions in information searching. We can also arrange for you to use the
libraries of many other universities and access specialised collections elsewhere. Please visit www.londonmet.ac.uk/libraries for more information. Each campus offers you an impressive range of media resources, including equipment and facilities, work spaces and technical support.

"Alongside traditional materials, the University’s learning resources incorporate the best of new technology. Help and support in their use is readily available." Susan Davy, Academic Information Services Manager

Learning support

The Learning Development Unit offers workshops, courses and one-to-one sessions to help you develop and enhance your study and academic skills. Specialist lectures provide advice on essay-writing, note-taking and giving presentations. There are also Maths and IT courses to help you make the most of your time as a student.

IT and computer studios

There are state-of-the-art IT studios at both campuses. All of our thousands of PCs and Macintoshes are connected to the University network, providing you with access to email and the internet, as well as to our library catalogue. The computers are set up with Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as specialist software such as CAD. Support staff are available to help you with any queries. You’ll also find the computers have printing facilities and access to web-based learning materials.

Media facilities

Each campus offers you an impressive range of media resources, including equipment and facilities, work spaces and technical support. Open-access
media workshops are provided at Calcutta House, Commercial Road and Moorgate, offering both hardware and specialist advice. Facilities are available for colour copying and printing, the production of presentations and photography (at Commercial Road). The Media Centre at London North campus in the Tower Building contains a resources room, digital edit suites, a sound studio, drama studios and video conferencing. The Media Centre also has a shop where you can buy materials and a media preparation area to assist with projects and submissions. There is a full range of media services at Ladbroke House.

Language facilities

As an undergraduate student, you have the opportunity to learn one of several different languages. Languages can be studied from scratch or you can brush up your existing knowledge. Our facilities to support you with this include two languages centres, in the Holloway Road Learning Centre and Moorgate Learning Resource Centre. Your language study can be computer-, video- or audio-based; satellite TV, open learning materials, reference books and foreign-language newspapers and current affairs magazines are available to help you with this.

Special collections

London Metropolitan University also hosts a number of specialist collections of major importance. The Women’s Library, next to Calcutta House at the London City campus, is Britain’s main research library on all aspects of women in society, both historical and contemporary. It houses over 60,000 books and pamphlets dating from 1632 to today. Subjects covered include the arts, education, fashion, feminism, health, the home, language, the law, science, sexuality, technology and work. The main emphasis is on Britain, but many other countries are represented, especially the Commonwealth and the Developing World. The Women’s Library also holds many special exhibitions and events. Find out more at the Women's Library website.

The TUC Library Collections are housed in the Holloway Road Library. They contain books, pamphlets, archives and other materials collected from unions, pressure groups, official sources and campaign groups both in the UK and internationally from the end of the 19th century to the present day. A selection of the rich historical resources from the Collections can be seen at the award-winning website www.unionhistory.info

Find out more about the collections at www.londonmet.ac.uk/libraries/tuc

Bookshops

On or nearby both our campuses are branches of leading academic booksellers including Blackwells, which stock recommended texts and related materials. Students also benefit from the many specialist and academic bookshops throughout central London. You can also pick up books cheaply through our second hand scheme run by Student Services - find out more on the Student Services website.

" The facilities and resources were so wide-ranging and impressive that I decided to enrol." Jason Tunbridge, BA (Hons) Education Studies graduate