Here’s a handy overview of what has changed in the Fountains Library in the last few months:

Advice Team: Your Go-To Support for Smarter Studying 

Navigating the library can sometimes feel overwhelming—especially when you’re juggling deadlines, research, and new digital tools. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Library Advice Team, a new service designed to help you get the most out of your library experience. 

Whether you’re just starting out or deep into your studies, our team is here to support you with: 

• Finding and accessing resources – from books and journals to databases and digital collections. 

• Referencing guidance – explore your options and get help using citation tools correctly. 

• Digital and study skills – sharpen your academic toolkit with tips on everything from note-taking to using online platforms effectively. 

• Specialist referrals – if your query is more complex, we’ll help you book time with the right expert team. 

• The goal? To make sure more of your questions are answered first time, connecting you with the information, skills, and people you need to succeed. 

So next time you’re stuck, curious, or just want to learn something new—drop by and speak to the Library Advice Team. We’re here to help you make the most of everything your library has to offer. 

Find us at the Library Services Desk on the ground floor of Fountains or email us at library@yorksj.ac.uk 

You can also call us on 01904 876520 

Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8.00am to 8.00pm excluding bank holidays and university closure days. 

All queries that do not involve Library and Learning support are now being directed to the Student Hub. This is a single point of contact and source of information for student support services across the University. Head to the Student Hub in the Holgate building on the York campus for support with any queries that do not involve the library or your academic work. 

Study space

We have new soft seating areas and a new laptop locker on the ground floor.

There are new lights in the main study areas, to improve visibility and reduce energy consumption.

There are new charging towers that are more efficient and easier to move around.

Some books have been relocated to make room for a new study space on the first floor.

There are new carpets in the group study room and the ground floor stacks.

We are propagating seeds for the Botanical Bookworms event taking place in Welcome Week. You can spot the seedlings on the windowsills of the second floor, where they are getting plenty of light.

There is a new puzzle board on the Wellbeing Table to make puzzling more accessible.

Library collection

We have a new Wellness Reads collection, which you can find on the ground floor stacks next to the Relaxed Reads collection. These books are there to support your wellbeing and have been chosen by YSJ Wellbeing, Disability and other support specialists. They cover a range of topics such as  self-development, mental health, neurodiversity, wellbeing and disability. You can read more about the Wellness Reads here: https://blog.yorksj.ac.uk/ysjlibraryblog/2025/08/26/wellness-reads-books-to-support-your-

Our wellbeing table now includes Tangrams, geometric logic puzzles, which are updated daily.

Finally, we have relaunched our Library blog! We are always looking for new contributions, whether that’s a review of a book you loved (or didn’t), a day in your life as a student, or an event you are running. Email us at library@yorksj.ac.uk with your posts or ideas.