Library

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Students reading in Central's Library

Library

The Library has a wide range of specialist drama and theatre practice resources offered in a learning environment that is supportive and inspires creativity. Staff will help you to discover the information and resources you need to succeed and achieve as a student or researcher.

Search the
library catalogue

Search electronic resources including eJournals and databases

Ask a question and one of our librarians will respond to you within 24 hours

  • Opening Hours

    • Monday 2 October 2023 to Friday 8 December 2023

    • Monday 15 January 2024 to Friday 22 March 2024

    • Monday 22 April 2024 to Friday 28 June 2024

    Monday to Thursday: 8.45am to 8pm

    Friday: 8.45am to 6pm

    Saturday: 1pm to 5pm (Week 3 - Week 9)

    *The Counter and Enquiry Desk close 15 minutes earlier

    2022/2023 

    • Saturday 1 July 2023 to Sunday 1 October 2023

    2023/2024

    • Saturday 9 December 2023 to Sunday 14  January 2024
    • Saturday 23 March 2024 to Sunday 21 April 2024
    • Saturday 29 June 2024 to Sunday 29 September 2024

    Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm

    Saturday and Sunday: Closed

    Inclusive dates. The whole of Central, including the Library, is closed on the following dates.

    2022/2023

    August Bank Holiday
    Monday 28 August  and Tuesday 29 August 2023

    2023/2024

    Christmas and New Year
    From 1pm on Tuesday 19th December 2023 to Monday 1 January 2024. Re-opening on Tuesday 2 January 2024

    Easter
    Friday 29 March 2024 to Monday 1 April 2024

    May Spring Bank Holiday
    Monday 6 May 2024

    Late May Bank Holiday
    Monday 27 May 2024

    August Bank Holiday
    Monday 26 August 2024 and Tuesday 27 August 2024

  • Contact the Library Staff

    Library staff

    Helen Davies, Head of Library Services 
    helen.davies@cssd.ac.uk
    Sara Wiener, Library Manager
    sara.wiener@cssd.ac.uk
    Amanda Burns, Subject Librarian
    amanda.burns@cssd.ac.uk
    Sarah Hall, Subject Librarian
    sarah.hall@cssd.ac.uk

    Carlos Garcia Jane, Library Assistant

    Carlos.Garcia-Jane@cssd.ac.uk

    General Enquiries
    library@cssd.ac.uk
    +44 (0)20 7559 3942
  • Collection

    We hold a comprehensive and unique specialist collection of well-organised, relevant, up-to-date books and journals covering all aspects of the performing arts and related disciplines, together with performance DVDs, feature films, sound effects, musical theatre CDs and scores.

    Items are organised by collection. Collections include lending, reference, reserve, journals, thesis and dissertations.

    Most Collections are organised into Dewey Decimal Classification order - a numbering system found in most libraries in the UK. All items on a subject are assigned the same number followed by the first three/four letters of the authors surname or, if there is no author, the first three letters of the title. Items are then organised alphabetically into title order.

    For instance, all plays are shelved at the number 822. Plays by William Shakespeare are shelved at 822 SHAK. Items assigned 822 SHAK are then arranged in title order e.g. Antony and Cleopatra is shelved before The Tempest.

    With access to the internet, you can view our range of electronic resources 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

    Search The Library Catalogue using the buttons below

  • Services

    Drop into the Library and log onto a computer. All our computers enable you to access Microsoft Office applications, the internet and the Virtual Library.

    We have multi-functional devices which enable photocopying, scanning and printing to A4 and A3. Payment is made online.

    Charges

    • A4 Black and white - 4p per page
    • A3 Black and white  - 8p per page
    • A4 Colour - 15p per page
    • A3 Colour - 30p per page

    We hold a copyright license which allows the photocopying and scanning of books, journals, magazines and other periodicals published in printed form. Full details are advertised on posters above the photocopiers in the Library.

    Our Enquiry Service is available during opening hours for the issue, return and renewal of library resources. You can also pay any outstanding library fines and reserve items. We answer enquiries; help you find eResources, books and other resources using our Library Catalogue and make best use of photocopiers and printing facilities.

    We obtain items not available in the Library from other libraries in the UK. Please ask staff for more information.

  • Members Entitlements

    Students

    Undergraduate, postgraduate and research students are automatically entitled to use the Library. Your Central ID card is your library card. Students on the short courses run by Central Connects can use the Library for reference, with the exception of Acting Diploma students who can borrow up to three items.

    Undergraduates   

    • 10 items for Year One or Year Two students
    • 15 items for Year Three students

    Postgraduate and Research students

    • Up to 20 items at a time

    Acting Diploma Students

    • Up to 3 items 
    Staff

    Full and part-time permanent staff are automatically entitled to borrow

    • Up to 20 items
    Visiting Lecturers

    Visiting professionals can join free of charge for the duration of their contract

    • Up to 5 items
    Alumni

    Alumni can use the Library free of charge for reference. If you wish to borrow up to five items, you are invited to pay an annual fee of £60.

    • Up to 5 items
    VisitorsPrivate researchers and members of overseas universities should contact the Head of Library Services if they wish to visit the Library.

    Depending on demand, items can be borrowed for four weeks, one week, one day or two hours. Loan periods are displayed on the item.

    There is a daily charge for the late return or late renewal of every item on loan. You are not able to borrow items if your fines increase above £1.00.

    The maximum fine per item is £10.

    As long as items have not been requested, you can contact the library and renew items in the following ways:

    There is a replacement charge for lost items according to the in-print cost estimated by Central’s library book supplier.

    Please do not damage items by highlighting text or writing in resources. The maximum replacement charge per item lost or damaged is £35.00.

    With over 57 million items, the British Library houses an incredible collection of national and international significance. Have items sent to Central via the Inter Library Loans Scheme.

    By doing one search across many library catalogues at the same time using Search25 you will identify resources in libraries and museums across London and the south-east.

    Most staff and students are automatically entitled to join the University of London’s Senate House Library which houses an internationally recognised collection of books and eResources. 

    Membership of the Society of College National and University Libraries Access scheme (SCONUL), allows staff and students to use the libraries of over 175 other universities in the UK. For more information on the scheme and a list of participating institutions, see the SCONUL Access website or speak to Library staff.

  • Library Rules and Regulations

    • No food or drink is allowed in the library except water.
    • Mobiles should be in silent mode. Please take calls in the Atrium.
    • The Silent Study Room is for silent study. In the main library normal conversations are usual, but rehearsing is not allowed.
    • Students and researchers should refer to the Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures on MyCentral, for clarification on their responsibilities for library equipment and resources, as they are property of the School.
  • Library Skills

    Information Literacy enables students to efficiently and effectively locate and read information, take and make notes, and evaluate your resources. The modules on citing and referencing using Central’s referencing system will help you avoid plagiarising.

    1:1 information skills sessions with library staff are available. Please ask library staff for more information about how to book an appointment.