By delivering excellent information resources and services the Library is integral to the University’s mission of advancing, transmitting and sustaining knowledge.
Who we are and what we do
The University of Western Australia Library is the leading academic research library in the State and has been built up since the establishment of the University in 1913. It includes over 850,000 printed volumes and over 230,000 non-print items in a wide range of formats, from manuscripts to networked electronic databases. Nearly 16,000 serial titles (journals, magazines and newspapers) are received including more than 9,000 in electronic form and over 13,000 monograph volumes are catalogued each year. Library computers give access to an ever expanding range of electronic resources including the Internet, and the Library Catalogue.
The Library comprises service sections and subject libraries on and off campus to cater for the research, teaching and learning needs of over 15,500 students and nearly 1,000 academic staff. Access to most collections and facilities is also available to members of the community and the students and staff from the other universities in Australia.
Our commitment to you is to provide
Knowledgeable, skilled and friendly Library staff who:
- Are committed to giving you a high quality courteous and responsive service
- Support you in finding information and using Library resources to meet your specific research needs
- Provide a range of programmes to enable you to become a proficient information user
- Are able to assist clients with special needs
A safe well maintained and welcoming Library environment that:
- Includes a range of study spaces to suit your learning needs
- Is open seven days per week during semesters
- Provides access to computers and wired and wireless network facilities
- Provides facilities for copying, printing and scanning
Library services that are innovative, responsive to your needs and of a consistently high standard, including:
- Convenient, flexible and seamless access to our online resources
- Collections that meet your teaching, learning and research needs
- Access to material not held in our own collections through document delivery services and reciprocal borrowing from other libraries
- Equitable access to materials and services in high demand
- Accurate information on library resources, services and facilities
- Self service facilities including self loan machines, online book renewals, and inter-library loan requests
- Online and face to face information services
- Community access to many of our collections
- Equitable access to services and resources for clients with special needs wherever possible
Provision of facilities for use of our resources:
- Libraries that are open at least 75 hours per week during semester except Music and the Undergraduate Mathematics and Physical Sciences libraries
- Wireless network access available in all libraries
- Waiting times to access a Library computer, printer, copier, autoloader or a lending facility do not exceed 5 minutes
- Study seats are always available
Provision of materials necessary for teaching, learning and research:
- 100% of undergraduate set texts are available in the Library
- 90% of new books are available to readers within 21 days of receipt
- Recommended readings are made available online or on reserve within 2 weeks
- 95% of materials are returned to the main shelves within 24 hours and to Reserve within 2 hours and are shelved in the correct order
- Items are collected from Store within 2 working days, Monday to Friday
Provision of services to enable you to use our resources:
- Library pcs and associated equipment are available during Library opening hours 99% of the time
- The Library’s network is available 24 hours a day with systems working 99% of the time
- 95% of identified broken links on the Library Web site are corrected within 2 working days
- 95% of students and staff surveyed are satisfied with Library services
The Library values your feedback in assessing the quality of our services and to ensure we are continuously improving. We encourage your feedback through any of the following ways:
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