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What is DMU LibGuides?
DMU LibGuides is the library guide platform for De Montfort University, hosted at DMU LibGuides. It works as a single starting point for library services, subject help and study support rather than as a catalogue or database itself.
What you can find there
- Search tools: Library Search, the Database A-Z, the E-Publication Finder, LibKey Nomad and Resource Lists.
- Using the library: opening hours, borrowing information, study spaces, room booking, the DMU Museum, leisure reading and special collections.
- Skills and assignments: workshops, drop-ins and appointments, referencing help, academic writing, maths support, digital skills and LinkedIn Learning.
- Support services: JustAsk! and FAQs, assistive technology, library disability services, IT, email, printing and WiFi help.
- Audience-specific routes: separate entry points for new, international, London, Dubai, partner, off-campus, former and research students, plus staff and visitors.
A practical example
A first-year student with an upcoming assignment could open the "Skills & Assignments" section, book a workshop or appointment, then move to the "Referencing" guide and the relevant subject guide. A researcher would get more from the database list, resource lists and special collections.
How it differs from neighbouring tools
| Tool | Best for |
|---|---|
| DMU LibGuides | Guidance, service links and subject starting points |
| Library Search | Finding books, articles and other items |
| Database A-Z | Choosing a specific database |
| LibChat / JustAsk! | Asking a librarian a direct question |
Next step: decide what you need first — a service, a skill or a source — and enter through the matching section rather than browsing the whole site.
How do I find a database or e-journal for my subject at DMU Library?
Use the Database A-Z or E-Publication Finder on the DMU Library homepage. Database A-Z lists databases by name and is usually filterable by subject; E-Publication Finder is the tool for locating a specific e-journal by title. If you are starting with a topic rather than a title, open your Subject Guides first — they group the recommended databases and journals for your field.
A practical route
- Go to DMU Library.
- Choose Database A-Z if you want a database (e.g. a subject-specific index or full-text collection).
- Choose E-Publication Finder if you already have a journal title and need to know whether DMU provides access.
- Not sure which database suits your subject? Open Subject Guides, pick your department, and use the databases listed there.
- If access fails or a title is missing, use LibChat, JustAsk! & FAQs, or contact your subject librarian.
Which tool when
| Your starting point | Best tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| “I need databases for marketing/ law/ nursing” | Subject Guides | Curated by librarians for that subject |
| “I know the database name” | Database A-Z | Alphabetical and subject-filtered list |
| “I know the journal title” | E-Publication Finder | Checks title-level access and date coverage |
| “I have a topic but no title” | Subject Guides, then Database A-Z | Guides point to the right indexes to search |
One example
A second-year law student looking for case law and journals would open the Law Subject Guide, then follow its database links rather than guessing in Database A-Z. A researcher who has a citation to a specific journal would use E-Publication Finder instead, because that tool answers the narrower question of whether DMU holds that title and for which years.
Decision rule: subject first, then format. If you know your subject but not the resource, start with Subject Guides; if you know the resource name, go straight to Database A-Z or E-Publication Finder. When in doubt, ask via LibChat — it is faster than trying multiple databases at random.
How can I book a study room or find study spaces at DMU Library?
You can book a study room through the DMU Library site's "Book a Study Room" link, and browse other study environments under "Spaces & Places" and "Our Study Spaces." Start at DMU LibGuides.
Booking a room
- Use Book a Study Room for reservable group rooms.
- If you need to confirm how far ahead you can book, how long a slot lasts, or whether food and whiteboard pens are allowed, check the page's booking terms or ask JustAsk! before you rely on it.
- For group work, book one room for the whole group rather than having everyone book separately; duplicate bookings are a common cause of lost rooms.
Finding the right kind of space
- Silent or quiet study: look for designated silent areas if you need zero background noise.
- Group discussion: bookable rooms suit presentation practice, group projects and shared screens.
- Short stopovers: open study seating is best for between-lecture reading, but it is not reservable.
- Specialist support: Assistive Technology and Library Disability Services can advise on accessible spaces and equipment.
- Subject-specific help: Subject Guides tell you which librarian to contact for your course.
A practical example
If you have a group presentation on Thursday, book a room for 60–90 minutes, arrive five minutes early to claim it, and use the Library's LinkedIn Learning or workshop listings beforehand if you need presentation practice. If you only need a desk for two hours, skip booking and use open seating.
Decision rule
Book a room only when you need to talk aloud, share a screen or guarantee seats for several people. For solo, silent work, open study spaces are simpler and free you from time limits.
What library support and resources are available for new, international, or off-campus students at DMU?
New, international, and off-campus students at DMU are served by a single library portal that groups services by audience rather than by department. The most useful starting point is the "I am ..." section, which has dedicated entries for New Student, International Student, DMU London Student, Dubai Student, Partner Student, Student studying off campus, Researcher, and Visitor.
Core support that applies to most students
- JustAsk! and FAQs – the main help channel, with a contact route ([email protected], 0116 257 7042).
- LibChat – live chat for quick questions.
- Workshops, drop-ins, and appointments – including sessions aimed at building confidence before assessments.
- Studiosity – the page advertises an AI-assisted feedback service described as "feedback in minutes."
- Skills and assignments support – referencing, RLF writing tutor, good academic practice, and a guide on using generative AI.
- Digital and IT support – digital skills, IT/email/printing/WiFi help, and assistive technology.
- Library Disability Services – for students needing adjusted support.
- LinkedIn Learning and mentoring/learning communities – self-paced and peer-based options.
For international and distance students specifically
The International Student and Student studying off campus pages are the ones to open first, because access to databases, e-resources, and book delivery often differs from the on-campus pattern. Tools listed on the home page that matter most at a distance are the Database A-Z, the E-Publication Finder, Resource Lists, and LibKey Nomad, plus the library catalogue. Off-campus students should also check the "I Need Help With ..." menu for maths, referencing and searching, writing and study skills.
Practical next step
If you are new, work through this order: (1) your audience page under "I am ...", (2) the Database A-Z and LibKey Nomad to confirm off-site access works, (3) book a workshop or appointment if you have an assessment coming, and (4) save the JustAsk! contact details. If you are international or studying remotely, confirm resource access and any postal or scanning services before you rely on them.
Two related DMU destinations are the main library site at DMU Library and the university's main pages at De Montfort University.
How do I get help with referencing, academic writing, or using generative AI at DMU?
Start with the library's Skills & Assignments section, which is where DMU groups referencing, academic writing and study-skills support. From the homepage, the main routes are:
- Referencing – guidance on citation and reference styles, plus the RLF Writing Tutor for one-to-one writing feedback.
- Writing & Study Skills – help with structuring assignments, essays and reports, not just proofreading.
- Using Generative AI – a dedicated guide covering acceptable and unacceptable use in your work, which is the page to check before using AI tools in an assessment.
- Workshops, Drop-Ins, Appointments – bookable sessions and one-to-one slots, including the advertised assessment-confidence workshops.
- JustAsk! & FAQs – the front-line enquiry service for quick questions; LibChat gives an online chat option.
Choosing the right route
| Need | Best starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Formatting a reference list or getting a citation style right | Referencing guide | Style-specific rules and examples |
| Feedback on the quality of your writing | RLF Writing Tutor or an appointment | Human feedback on argument, structure and clarity |
| Whether you can use ChatGPT or similar in an assignment | Using Generative AI guide | Sets out permitted and prohibited use |
| Quick, factual query (opening hours, access, passwords) | JustAsk! & FAQs or LibChat | Fastest route to a direct answer |
| Building broader academic confidence | Workshops and drop-ins | Taught sessions plus peer learning |
A practical next step
If you have a specific assignment in front of you, do two things in order: check the Using Generative AI guide first so you know the boundaries for that piece of work, then book a Writing Tutor or drop-in appointment with your draft. Arriving with a draft and a specific question — for example, "is my critical analysis strong enough?" — gets you far more from a 20-minute slot than asking for general writing help.
For broader study support beyond the library, DMU also points students to LinkedIn Learning and Studiosity, and to Good Academic Practice guidance on avoiding academic misconduct.
One caveat: the homepage lists these services but does not show current opening hours, appointment availability or workshop dates — check the individual guide pages or the Opening Hours link for those details.
What assistance does DMU Library offer for students with disabilities or additional needs?
DMU Library provides a dedicated set of support routes for students with disabilities or additional needs, with Library Disability Services listed as a core offering alongside assistive technology and digital skills help. The library also runs workshops, drop-ins and appointments, which can be a practical way to get one-to-one guidance on using its resources.
For a student with additional needs, the most useful starting points are:
- Library Disability Services — the named support area for disability-related library assistance.
- Assistive Technology — help with tools and equipment that make study and library use more accessible.
- Digital Skills & IT Support — support with IT, email, printing and WiFi, which often overlap with accessibility needs.
- Workshops, Drop-Ins, Appointments — flexible ways to ask questions without committing to a full service.
- JustAsk! & FAQs — a general help route if you are unsure which service applies to you.
A practical next step is to contact the library directly and ask what adjustments or support you are entitled to, rather than assuming you need to navigate every service alone. The contact details shown are [email protected] and 0116 257 7042. If you already have a support plan through the university, mention it when you get in touch so staff can point you to the right service more quickly.
The trade-off is that the library page lists many support areas, so it can be unclear which one handles a specific need such as extended loan periods, accessible study spaces or help using databases with a screen reader. Asking a direct question through JustAsk! or booking an appointment is likely to resolve that faster than browsing the guides. You can start at DMU Library.
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