National Oceanographic Library

A student sits cross-legged reading a book in a bright, airy library. Behind her are shelves of books and other students working at desks.
A bright, modern library reception area with shelves full of books. A lady at the desk helps someone. Two students descend a spiral staircase from an upper floor.
Two students ascend a set of spiral stairs from a lower to an upper floor. Study spaces, desks and stools are visible on the upper floor.
Two students in a narrow library aisle, surrounded by shelves of books on both sides. They are reading a book pulled from one of the shelves.
More Information

About the National Oceanographic Library

Based at Waterfront Campus, the National Oceanographic Library is one of Europe's largest marine science libraries, with a wide variety of books and resources to help you study.

The library collections

The library is home to the UK's largest collection of marine and oceanographic literature, some of which dates back as far as the 1770s. The collections available include a wealth of books, reports, journals, maps and charts, covering topics such as:

  • estuarine, coastal and shelf sea circulation wind-wave dynamics
  • sediment transport processes
  • global sea level science
  • geodetic oceanography
  • marine technology
  • operational oceanography

Study and research facilities

The library now offers a comfortable and productive study environment, offering:

  • 2 assistive technology computers, with a range of specialist software for users registered with Enabling Services
  • meeting and group work rooms with video conferencing facilities
  • laptops and phone chargers
  • printing, photocopying and scanning facilities
  • free WiFi

You can learn more or search the library collections on the official library website.

Subjects using this facility

Ocean and Earth science

Explore the physics and biology of the oceans and discover the evolutionary process of the Earth. You’ll learn specialist skills to move into fields like geological surveying, marine science and conservation.

Related facilities

An industrial looking boat emblazoned with the name RV Callista, moored beside a wooden dock, beneath a sunny sky.

Research boat

Equipped for a range of coastal and shelf research, this 20 metre catamaran is often used by staff and students for fieldwork.