Welcome to the first digital newsletter from Newcastle University Library for the year. In this update we highlight what has been happening in the Library over the summer and essential updates to services for 2026-27, including updated opening hours, Reading Lists, updates to the Library website and space developments in the Philip Robinson Library.
Academic Engagement Team
Over the summer, the Library Liaison and Academic Services team has been renamed the Academic Engagement team. This reflects a broader shift within higher education librarianship from the term liaison to engagement – a more active expression of the relationship-building and partnership work we undertake.
Importantly, this is a change in name only. Please be assured that we will continue to work closely with you, as we do now, to support both you and your students’ teaching, learning and research. Alongside our Academic Skills colleagues, your Librarians will continue to embed and deliver skills development within your programmes, and we look forward to collaborating with you as part of the curriculum transformation work planned for the coming year. Our commitment remains the same: to ensure you and your students have access to the library services, expertise, and support needed to succeed.
Our email address has been updated, and you can contact your Faculty Engagement Librarians Aimee, Emily and Louise at libengagement@ncl.ac.uk.
Library Spaces
Redevelopment of Philip Robinson Library Level 1
During the summer months, work has been undertaken refurbish and re-zone Level 1 to provide fully accessible toilets, create a larger collaborative study space and combine existing cluster spaces to become a single, 48-person cluster. The work is in the final phase and is expected to complete by mid-October.
More information about the UX research that informed the space redevelopment is available on the Library website and more updates will be provided over the coming weeks.
Library Opening Hours
Term-time service hours will resume on on 21 September 2026, with the three Library spaces open:
- Philip Robinson Library: 24 hours 7 days a week.
- Walton Library: Monday to Friday 08.30 – 22.00; Saturday and Sunday 10.00 to 22.00.
- Marjorie Robinson Library Rooms: Monday to Sunday 08.30 – 17.00; Saturday and Sunday 09.00 to 17.00.
Library Resources
Final call for Semester 1 Reading List updates
The reading lists team are working on updating and acquiring materials to ensure we have resources ready for students. Please review, update and share any remaining reading list as soon as possible.
It is straightforward to add and edit your reading lists using our online reading lists. When a new resource is added our systems will automatically check we have the resource, if not it will seamlessly kickstart the acquisition process. For guidance on how to access, edit or send us your reading list, please visit our short guide of how you can manage your reading list.
Supporting Research with Special Collections
New research webpages from the Special Collections and Archives team highlight how you can make use of our unique archival and rare book collections. The pages bring together research tools, guidance and opportunities for collaboration, helping you and your students discover new ways to engage with distinctive primary source material.
We welcome collaboration with academic and external researchers at all stages of the research lifecycle, from developing funding proposals and building collections to digitisation projects, exhibitions and digital scholarship. Early engagement can help shape projects and maximise the potential of our collections.
Find out more on our research webpages and contact the team to discuss potential collaborations.
Education and Student Support
Information Literacy and Academic Skills in your curriculum
Our Academic Engagement Team are finalising where we will be contributing to modules this year. We will be delivering a range of lectures, workshops and online materials through Canvas to help develop your students’ academic and information literacy skills.
If you’ve had support arranged previously and have not contacted us yet to confirm arrangements for 2026-27, now is the time to get in touch. Or perhaps you would like to explore how we could support your module/ programme in the future. You can find out more about how we can support your students and view example case studies on the Embedding Skills in your curriculum webpage.
Skills resources for students
The introduction of Academic Advising will give students ongoing support to help them reflect on their academic progress, skills development, goals and future plans. The Library can support this role by acting as a trusted referral point when students need additional help, providing specialist support with academic skills, study practices and learning development. In your role as an Adviser you can signpost students to Library services and the Academic Skills Kit, which offers a wide range of self-directed resources to help students build confidence, develop effective study strategies and succeed in their studies. In the initial meetings, the resources below may be particularly valuable.
Get Ready to Study
Stepping up to university studies for the first time, in a new country or at a more advanced level of study, can be challenging for any student. Get Ready to Study is a collection of resources specifically tailored to supporting new undergraduate students with the transition to university. Developed in collaboration with students, these resources aim to build student knowledge, skills, confidence and independence.
Understanding Academic Culture
An Academic Skills Kit collection of resources and practical advice to help students studying in the UK for the first time understand academic expectations and prepare for their time at Newcastle University.
Contact your Faculty Engagement Librarian
Contact the team: libengagement@ncl.ac.uk
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences:
Louise Masson
Faculty of Medical Sciences:
Aimee Watson-Cook
Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering: Emily Dott
