As a St Mary's student you have access to thousands of e-journals, e-books and other online library resources. These are paid for by the library to support you in your studies.
How to search library e-resources using Primo
The vast majority* of our library e-resources can be searched easily using our Library Search tool, Primo.
Simply enter the topic you wish to find resources for and results will be presented to you on-screen, together with full-text links wherever available.
More help with searching Primo can be found here or by contacting your Subject Librarian.
*Please note that a few of our e-resources are not covered in Primo due to factors outside our control.
How to search e-resource databases directly
Many of our e-resources are also available as separate 'databases' that are specialised in particular subject areas. These are all listed with links on the Library Databases A-Z page. Examples of these databases include LexisNexis (Law), PsycARTICLES (Psychology) and SPORTDiscus (Sport Science).
Please note that Law students are generally advised to use Law databases such as LexisNexis and WestLaw directly as these resources are not fully covered in Primo.
How to access e-resources from online reading lists
Direct links to library e-resources are provided in online module reading lists, wherever such reading lists have been provided by your lecturers. To access a resource simply click on the 'View Online' link in the reading list system and then log in if prompted. If the link isn't working, you can click on the "Mark as broken" button.
How to log in to e-resources with your University IT account
To access the full-text of most of our e-resources you will need to use your University IT account to log in when prompted with a screen that usually looks like this:
This is the same account that you use to log in to Moodle and University computers.
If you have problems logging in to access e-resources, please first verify that your IT password is working by logging in to Moodle.
If you still have problems please contact us at library@stmarys.ac.uk or 020 8240 4097.
e-Resources with alternate logins
A small number of our e-resources and e-journals require custom logins for access (rather than using your IT account). These are labelled in Primo. If you need to access one of these resources please contact Library and Digital Support at library@stmarys.ac.uk and our staff will supply you with the login details.
St Mary's Library e-Books
St Mary's Library and Digital Support provides access to over 120,000 e-books with new titles being added on a regular basis. Library e-books can be viewed from any location with an internet connection using your St Mary's IT login. All our e-books can be found by searching Primo and following the relevant Full Text Online link.
Using library e-books
Library e-books can be used in one of two ways:
- in the web browser on computer, tablet or smartphone ('read online') - easier option
- by downloading a copy of the e-book and keeping it on your device for a set number of days - requires installation of apps first.
Please follow the instructions in the online interface to either read the book online or download to read later. If you wish to make online notes on the e-book please ensure you use the 'read online' interface.
Downloading e-books: install the apps first
If you wish to download library e-books to your device (option 2 above), please note that you must first install the required apps on your device:
We regret that library e-books cannot be used on Amazon Kindle or other similar e-readers at present. They can however be used on Amazon Kindle Fire tablets by using the 'Read Online' method (option 1 above).