Main Library

Located in the Kensington - Upper campus, Main Library offers space for independent study and reading as well as facilities for group work. Main Library holds collections in the fields of arts & social sciences, built environment, business, engineering, medicine and science.

Locate our collections, study areas, presentation areas, exhibition spaces and facilities on the building maps by using our mobile directory.

Today's hours

Phone Help Zone staff: +61 2 9065 9444
See all opening hours

Location

Street address: Library (F21), Library Road, Kensington, NSW 2052

Postal address: Main Library, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
  • Click on the Library address in Google Maps to get real-time directions (opens in a new tab).

Getting to the Library

For anyone who requires additional support to join us in our Libraries and events, see Access to the Library.

Public transport

  • The closest light rail stop is UNSW High Street.
  • The closest bus stops are on High Street, near Gate 8.

Parking and drop off

  • The closest accessible entry is Gate 11. The car park is located near the back of the Library.
  • The closest drop-off point with direct visibility to the Library building is Gate 8.
  • See UNSW parking for details.

Entrance and lifts

  • UNSW Library is wheelchair friendly.
  • An access ramp is at the front entrance opposite the Library lawn.
  • There are two entrances to the lifts - the Library front entrance, and the breezeway at the back of the Library near the Gate 11 car park.

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Help Zone

The Help Zone is located inside the Library entrance on Level 2. Talk with a librarian for your study and research questions and for assistance with any of our services.

  • Visit us for face-to-face assistance with your enquiries during staffed hours.
  • Search for items via the Library collection computer.
  • Borrow and return items.
  • Pick up requested items and interlibrary loans from the Request pickups lockers.
  • Add credit to your UNSW ID card at recharge kiosks.
  • Borrow laptops from self-service loan lockers.
  • Borrow headphones during staff hours.

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Collections, loans and returns

Main Library collection items are housed on Levels 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7.

  • Find our collection of items for leisure reading on Level 3 in the Retreat space.
  • Our collection includes some course specific short loan items.
  • For more information, see Main Library's collection range.

Search for items via the Library collection computers found on Levels 2 to 7. Find Library Help Point phones near the lift foyer on Levels 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 to call for help with collection items.

You can borrow/return items using the self-check machines near the Help Zone and lift foyer on Level 2. You can also use the self-check machine near the Retreat space on Level 3 to borrow items.

Return loans via the yellow return chute located near the Help Zone. The after hours return chute is open 24hrs a day and located at the back of the Library near Tutorial rooms 176A & 176B. Locate these on the building maps by using our mobile directory.

Pickup location for requests

Pick up interlibrary loans and requested items from the Request pickups lockers located near the Help Zone on Level 2.

Music

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 a personal device. Headphones can be borrowed from the Help Zone.

Maps

The print map collection is located on Level 3. For assistance, speak to Library staff at the Help Zone. A light table is available for viewing maps.

Learn more about finding print and online maps.

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Study areas

Find a variety of sofas, reading chairs and single and collaborative desks available on all levels.

UNSW students can reserve desks and collaborative spaces by booking study spaces. If a space is not in use, you can check or book it on the spot using the QR code.

Individual desks

Save time and find unoccupied individual desks with the Desk availability maps.

  • Real-time map display screens are in designated areas on Levels 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7.
  • Some height-adjustable desks are available on Levels 3, 4, 6 and 7.
  • Some bookable desks and computers showing as available may have a booking.

UNSW students can book these study desks:

Collaborative spaces

Find open collaborative study areas with whiteboards on Levels 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8.

UNSW students can book a collaborative study space. Check individual room details when booking for current capacity, specific furniture and equipment availability.

  • Study rooms available on Levels 2, 3 & 4 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 DVDs and other multimedia from Library collection.
  • Study pods available on Level 8.

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Dedicated study areas

The Library is for everyone. Remember to keep your noise level to a minimum.

Silent and quiet areas

Multiple levels have areas dedicated to silent and quiet study.

  • Silent areas on Levels 6 & 7.
  • Quiet areas and study pods on Levels 5 & 8 (Level 5 except when event in progress).
  • Retreat space on Level 3.

Neutral sensory study space

Study in a low-light and low-sensory environment.

  • Individual carrel study desks on Levels 3 and 6, near the rear stairwell (behind the lifts).
  • Each desk has an individual light if required - Remember to turn the desk light off when you leave the desk.

Find more information about using the neutral sensory study spaces.

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Computers

Use one of the Library computers, borrow a laptop or connect to Wi-Fi with your own device.

UNSW students and staff can access Wi-Fi throughout the Library via the UNSW Wireless Network (eduroam) on personal devices. University visitors may use their personal device to access eduroam (for participating institutions) or the UNSW guest Wi-Fi service. For more information, see UNSW Wireless Network.

Library computers
  • Computers are available for Library member use on Levels 2, 3 and 4 and in the lift foyers throughout the Library.
  • On Level 4, UNSW students can reserve a desktop computer.

Loan laptops
  • UNSW students can loan laptops with chargers from a self-service loan locker at the Help Zone.

Monitors
  • In designated computer areas, find desks with only a monitor to connect and charge your laptop using the attached USB-C cable.
  • On Level 4, UNSW students can reserve a desk with monitor.

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Study lounges

You will find a range of individual and collaborative study choices in the dedicated Library study lounges on Levels 2 and 4. Some collaborative areas contain high tables and chairs.

Designated eating areas include microwaves. They are available in the front study lounge, in the rear study lounge's kitchenette on Level 2, and the Postgraduate study space.

  • Hot water is available in the rear kitchenette on Level 2 and in the Postgraduate study space.
  • Water bubblers are located in the lift foyer on each level.
  • Snack vending machines are located at the Library entrance on Level 2.

For more information, see Food in the Library.

Retreat space

You can also relax and unwind in the Retreat space on Level 3, complete with bean bags. Switch your phones off in this digital detox space. Enjoy mindfulness activities including puzzles, games and colouring-in.

Find your study escape with Leisure reads. Browse our curated collection of popular titles. Borrow a book to take home or find a cosy spot to relax and read.

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Postgraduate study space

For postgraduate students only, this space on Level 4 is open during Main Library opening hours and accessed by swiping your UNSW ID card. You will find a range of individual and collaborative study choices.

UNSW postgraduate students can reserve spaces in this area by booking study spaces. If a bookable space is not in use, you can check or book it on the spot using the QR code.

Individual desks and computers

Save time and find unoccupied individual desks with the Desk availability maps.

  • A real-time map display screen is at the main entry to the study space.
  • Some height-adjustable desks are available.
  • Some bookable desks and computers showing as available may have a booking.

UNSW postgraduate students can book these study desks:

Collaborative spaces

UNSW postgraduate students can book a collaborative study space. Check individual room details when booking for current capacity, specific furniture and equipment availability.

  • Study rooms are equipped with LCD screens and whiteboards.

Study lounge kitchenette

Find lounges, printers, device charging lockers and a designated eating area including kitchenette and microwave. For more information, see Food in the Library.

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Display areas

Exhibition spaces

Discover our Library exhibitions, special collection displays and public programs that are part of the Exhibitions program.

  • Main exhibition space on Level 5.
  • Display space on Level 3 (near map collection).
  • Alumni murals in the lift foyers.

Digital Knowledge Space

Immerse yourself in the Digital Knowledge Space, where thought-provoking and interactive installations will inform connections with trusted knowledge. To learn about our inaugural edition, see news.

Find this space on Level 2, behind the Help Zone.

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Facilities

Print/Copy services

Print/copy/scan facilities are available throughout the Library at the Print/Copy stations.

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.

Add credit to your UNSW ID card at any campus recharge kiosk, the Help Zone, Print/Copy Services desk or pay online. For information on charges, see UNSW IT Printing.

Toilets

  • Male toilets located on Levels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.
  • Female toilets located on Levels 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8.
  • An ambulant cubicle is available in most toilets.
  • Accessible unisex toilets with baby change tables on Levels 2, 3 and 4.

Device charging

  • Personal tablet and mobile device charging lockers on Levels 2 and 3.
  • Personal tablet and mobile device charging lockers in the Postgraduate study space on Level 4.

Also in this Library

  • UNSW Security Help Point intercoms are located in the lift foyer on each level, student study space entrance on Level 2 and in the Postgraduate study space on Level 4.
  • Lifts and stairs to all Library levels.
  • Stairs to UNSW Archives on Level 1 (appointment required).
  • Batteries and mobile phones recycling box near the entrance 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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