LibrarySearch

Search the Library

Get started

If you know the name of the book or article you’d like to read, then type it into the search box. You can also search by the author’s name, a topic or any combination of these.

Next to physical items, you will see a call number and information about whether the item is available on or loan. If an item is on loan, you can place a hold on it.

Next to digital items you will see a button linking you to the full text of this item.

You do not need to sign in to use LibrarySearch but, if you want to read digital resources that you find on LibrarySearch, then you will be prompted to sign in.

Narrow down your search results

If you get lots of search results, you can use filters to make a more focused list.

If you are on your phone, look for ‘group and refine this search’ at the top of the search results page. On larger screens, you’ll see available filters on the left of your results.

For example, you could use filters to see:

  • items from a particular period of time
  • items shelved in a particular library
  • items in a particular format

You can apply multiple filters at once. To return to your original search list, select ‘clear filters

Save and share your search results

There is a ‘share’ button next to every item on LibrarySearch. Use this button to email a link to yourself or someone else, or to get a shareable link.

You can quickly bookmark an individual result by clicking on the star icon next to it. You will see a link to your list of saved items at the top right of LibrarySearch. If you are on your phone, you’ll find your saved items under ‘Library Links’ at the top of LibrarySearch.

This list won’t be permanently saved. To store your saved items for later, sign into LibrarySearch using your Oxford Brookes log in details. Once you’re logged in, you can create a new list for your saved items, or transfer them to an existing list.

To see your saved lists, sign in to LibrarySearch then look for ‘saved lists’ under ‘my account’. Click on any item in a saved list to get straight to that item on LibrarySearch.

Use Advanced Search

The Advanced Search page on LibrarySearch lets you create a more precise and focused search. You can specify which fields you want to search and you can specify things you do not want to be included in your results.

From the Advanced Search page, you can also apply filters at the start of your search rather than applying them to an existing set of search results.

Alternatives to LibrarySearch

LibrarySearch is an excellent way to explore the books, ebooks, journal articles and more that Oxford Brookes students and staff can access, but you may wish to go further.

We subscribe to a range of databases, which allow you to find journal articles and other resources. Sometimes there are items you can find using a database, which you wouldn’t have found if you had just used LibrarySearch.

Have a look at your Course Resource Help page to see which databases are recommended for your course, along with helpful advice about how to access and use them.

Search for items in our Special Collections and Archives.