New pathways to library support

laptop and plant on desk

The Library is making some changes to the way we support our students, researchers and staff. Scroll to the relevant heading below to find out more about what support you can access and how. 

Undergraduate & postgraduate by coursework students

  • You can get help when you need it through our Live Chat Service, including evenings and weekends during semester. Live Chat is accessible from any page on our website or via our app. Our team can also refer you to a librarian for live support between 10am – 5pm on weekdays during Semester. 
  • You can join a drop-in session for your Faculty or University School at key times during Semester.
  • You can get help researching for your assignments via our online training, or you can get more tailored guidance through our Subject Guides
  • The library will continue to work with your lecturers to ensure you have access to your reading materials, and to develop targeted support in some Canvas sites for core units of study.

See our Contact a Librarian page for additional information. 

Researchers, postgraduate by research students, & honours students

In addition to requesting help through our Live Chat Service and using our self-help resources to develop your research skills, you can also access further support by:

  • sending queries to a team of dedicated librarians looking after your Faculty or University School
  • booking an appointment with a librarian
  • accessing a range of self-help resources on planning for strategic publishing & to measure the impact of your research

See our Meet with a Librarian page for key areas where we can provide advice.

Staff in University Portfolios and Professional Services Units

For general enquiries about borrowing or accessing resources you can request help through our Live Chat service.  For more complex support requests please contact the most appropriate member of our library leadership team for support.

Academic staff

Academic Liaison Librarians (ALLs) are now allocated client group responsibilities at the Faculty or University School level rather than the faculty school/department level. This means that you will be supported by a team of ALLs, rather than an individual. Within each team, ALLs have areas of specialisation across Education, Research, and Research Education, which means that depending on the area of your enquiry you may be supported by different ALLs.

Our Meet with a Librarian page will be updated with your team email contacts by the beginning of semester 2 2021.

To better support student learning outcomes, we have developed a new Tiered Service Model for Learning Experiences, which outlines how the Library supports information and digital literacy skills development within the curriculum. 

We will continue to support existing teaching commitments for Semester 2, 2021, before transitioning to our new model for Semester 1, 2022. The new model will provide higher quality, pedagogically-sound IDL programs and a broader range of self-help resources.

Feedback and questions

These changes will assist the Library to support students and researchers in a more sustainable and efficient way. We look forward to continuing to partner with you as we transition to our new ways of working. We are eager to manage this transition well, and we want to ensure that services to staff and students remain of high quality. We will also be conducting a post-implementation review at the end of Semester 2. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like to discuss this further, please don’t hesitate to contact Elizabeth Litting (Associate Director, Research Education) at elizabeth.litting@sydney.edu.au.

laptop and plant on desk

Jump Into Semester 2 With Our Online Study Tips Sessions 

desk with laptop

Calling all students keen on making a strong start to Semester 2, and who want to get motivated for online study, now! Calling all students who want to tackle stress, improve their personal organisation skills, and build a strong social network at uni! 

And…calling all academics and university staff who want to help their students start the semester on the front-foot: with healthy online study habits, a firm foundation of personal resilience, and the skills and confidence to tackle stress, and thoughtfully organise their time and their study routine! 

Your University Library is teaming up with the University’s Student Life portfolio, and Student Support Services, to present a series of Online Study Tips workshops. This innovative, cross-university collaboration will strengthen the virtual (and on-campus) student experience of new, returning and International Students.

Each session will be full of hints and tips to ensure participants get the most out of online study, and will be delivered twice weekly in a casual, conversational online environment. And best of all, they’re hosted by our experienced team of student peers, who – as currently enrolled University of Sydney students- have a wealth of practical knowledge about healthy study routines, and navigating the often-challenging world of university.

These sessions will also give students with English as a second or other language a perfect opportunity to practice their English in a casual, non-judgmental environment. 

 Topics covered include:  

  • Getting your study space ready for online study   
  • Managing stress and motivation   
  • Understanding Canvas   
  • Navigating your online classroom   
  • Organising your digital life

We know the last 6 months have radically changed the way we all study, learn and work, so these sessions are for all students, including new and returning students, International students, or anyone wanting a bit of support developing healthy study-from-home/online learning skills.   

To book, simply go to this page, scroll down and find the next Online Study Tips session (or sessions – you can attend more than one!) and register online. Academics and University staff – please pass this notice on to any students you think could benefit from it. 

We can’t wait to see you – or your students – there!  

desk with laptop

See what’s new – exciting changes for the Library website

We’ve redesigned our homepage to better communicate with you and made our online help services easier to find. 

From Monday 6th July, you will notice some changes around the Library website.  

New homepage 

To help you discover Library initiatives and services, we’ve redesigned our homepage so you can see featured information without having to scroll down the page. 

Say hello to Live Chat, on all pages 

Previously called ‘Chat Now’, you’ll now find a ‘Live Chat’ tab in the lower right of your screen on all pages, so where ever you are on our website help is one click away. Even better, it’s now easier to start chatting with our staff – just type your message and connect instantly. 

‘Ask Us Now’ renamed to ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ 

This is the same service you know and love. Use Frequently Asked Questions to find the Library’s answers to your top questions, 24/7. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? It’s still easy to send a new question our way. 

We’d love to hear your feedback about these changes as we continue to make improvements to the Library website.  

new homepage layout of Library website

New Systematic Review Toolkit

The Library is excited to announce the launch of our new Systematic Review Toolkit, now live on our Library website.

Are you embarking on a systematic review, but don’t know where to begin?

The Library is very excited to announce that we’ve launched our new Systematic Review Toolkit, the perfect place to get started on your research journey. 

We’ve broken down the entire systematic review process into stages, directly informed by user research. We provide overviews, tips, tools and resources at each stage, and link you to relevant University support so there is always help at hand.

Use the toolkit to navigate your way through the entire process and get the most out of appointments with your supervisors, librarians, statisticians and the Learning Centre.

To access the new Systematic Review Toolkit, visit the research section of the Library website.

How we’ve improved our study spaces

Following our Lion’s Den challenge and recent surveys, Library staff have been working hard to introduce new ideas into our spaces to make student experience even better… just in time for first semester exams.

Improvements we’ve been working on include: 

Improved Kitchenette facilities

In Fisher Library, we’ve improved our kitchenette facilities with new microwaves and seating areas. Don’t forget – there’s also vending machines and a 24/7 coffee machine available for late night study energy boosts.

More study spaces & standing desks

We have installed over 190 new study spaces across SciTech, Fisher and Law Libraries, equipped with power and USB outlets. Prefer studying standing up? We have new high-level standing desks on Level 6 of Fisher Library.

Silent Zones

Noticed our new blue ‘Silent’ signage around our spaces?  Last year our Library staff conducted surveys on our 3-tiered Quiet, Silent and Group zoning. Results showed that this system was generally too confusing, therefore the new scheme simply has specific marked silent zones and all other spaces are unmarked.  

If you want a quiet place to study, head for a spot with blue signage.

Printing in central locations

All printers in Fisher Library are now located on levels 3 & 4. There are also quick print service ICT kiosks available for your convenience.

Library App: Your device becomes your digital card

Important Update:

The Library app has now integrated with the Sydney Uni App, with The Library app itself being deactivated. Please download the Sydney Uni App for your library needs.


The Library’s updated app is your key to accessing the Library & its resources. The app can also be used as your digital Library card.

After user testing and feedback, the Library app has now been updated to improve user experience and integrate with the new Library Services Platform.  

Forgot your student card and want to borrow books? Download the App and use the digital card instead!

With the Library app you can also:

  • Chat Now and leave feedback 
  • Make an appointment with the Academic Liaison Librarian 
  • Book a Desk, a Study space 
  • Request items, cancel items and monitor fines 
  • Item search using device’s camera 
  • Search Library Databases  
  • Keep up-to-date with Library News & Events 
  • Interact with 360 virtual tour of Library spaces 
  • Search Library Opening hours and locations 

All in the palm of your hand!

For more information, and download the App, visit the

Download the Library App free from the App store today via the Library’s app page.