Library and Learning Resource Centre

Learning & Resources

Library & Learning
Resource Centre

Academic, research and IT resources at your fingertips.

Current student resource

Library & Learning Resource Centre Handbook 2026–27

Download the current guide to Library services, borrowing, study support, online resources, privacy, safety and student responsibilities.

PDF · 25 pages
Download the handbook →

Your academic resource hub

CSA Library & Learning Resource Centre

The Caspian School of Academics Library & Learning Resource Centre offers a comprehensive range of resources and services to support both students and staff.

Equipped with modern facilities, the Library provides access to academic materials and responsive support services that enhance teaching, learning and research.

Extensive Academic Resources

Books, journals and online databases support research and learning across a variety of disciplines.

Information and Guidance

Library staff help with reading lists, research enquiries and sourcing relevant academic materials.

Responsive Support Services

Practical assistance helps students and staff access resources efficiently.

Modern academic library learning commons with study spaces and bookshelves
500+Books available to search, renew and reserve online

Personal guidance

One-to-One Student Support Sessions

Support is available face to face or virtually via Zoom to help students make effective use of Library and learning resources.

Introduction to the CSA Library and Resources

Become familiar with the Library’s facilities, services and available resources.

Searching Online Learning Materials

Learn how to navigate online databases and find materials relevant to your studies.

Study Skills and Academic Practice

Develop searching, referencing, digital fluency, critical thinking, planning, reading, note-taking, academic writing and presentation skills.

Access to Partner Institution Resources

Get help accessing resources available through partner institutions.

Login and Account Setup Assistance

Set up and manage your Library account for seamless access to services.

ICT Assistance

Get support with Wi-Fi, printing and other technology available on campus.

500+books online
12dedicated study spaces
6 daysopen each week
On campusbooks and e-resources

Essential information

Using the Library

Study Area

The library has dedicated study spaces for students to study independently, research and work on coursework. This quiet zone provides laptop power points and college Wi-Fi. Twelve designated study spaces are available throughout the week.

Borrowing physical items

Books and other materials can be borrowed through self-service checkout or at the library help desk. Students and staff must use a valid CSA ID and contact the Resource Officer when borrowing books, journals or other resources.

Reserve, renew or return an item

Use your e-Library account to see current loans, place a hold and renew items. You may also visit the Library to borrow, renew or return items and collect requests made through the online catalogue.

Items may be renewed before their due date if they have not been reserved by another borrower and your Library account is active and unrestricted.

Renewal emails confirm whether the renewal succeeded and show the new due date. Items can be returned at the help desk or self-returned online while in the Library, before being placed on the return shelf.

Borrowing rules and duration
Library usersNumber of booksBorrowing duration
Faculty members721 days
Students514 days
Staff314 days

Note: Teaching-practice items can be borrowed for 12 weeks.

Fines, lost or damaged books

Overdue items that are on hold are charged at £0.50 per day, per item, up to a maximum of £10 per item. If charges exceed £5, you will not be able to borrow more items until the fine is reduced to £5.

The borrower must replace lost or damaged material or pay the full price shown for the item.

Library clearance

The library will sign a clearance form only when all borrowed items have been returned.

Digital learning

Online Resources

Students can access e-books, journal articles, databases and other electronic resources on and off campus. When prompted, sign in using your School username and password.

EBSCOhost

Academic Search Elite

Find scholarly journal articles, abstracts and other academic research across a wide range of subjects.

Access EBSCOhost via Moodle →
O’REILLY

O’Reilly Learning

Live training, interactive learning, certification support, books and videos to help learners develop practical expertise.

Sign in to O’Reilly →
Perlego logo

Perlego Digital Textbooks

Unlimited access to more than one million digital textbooks across over 950 topics and subtopics.

Visit Perlego →
For remote or off-campus access details, email librarian@caspianschool.ac.uk.

Open-source databases

A–Z Research Resources

Find open databases and digital collections for your research.

Archives Hub (JISC)

Descriptions of unique and unpublished primary-source material held in UK archives.

CORE

Seamless access to millions of open-access research papers.

EUR-Lex

Free access to European Union law and other public documents.

OpenDOAR

An authoritative directory of academic open-access repositories.

The Gazette

Search Britain’s official public-record archives.

UK Data Service

Economic and social data for teaching and research. Registration may be required.

Extend your research

Using Other Libraries

Havering Libraries

Local Public Library Service

Students are encouraged to register directly with their local public library. CSA does not enrol students automatically; membership is personal and is arranged through the public library’s own registration process.

Havering Libraries is part of the London Libraries Consortium. Membership can provide access to Rainham Library, other consortium libraries and online resources. Check Rainham Library and register directly.

The British Library

The British Library is the UK’s largest library, with more than 150 million items. Much of the collection is held in closed storage and must be requested for use in reading rooms.

Reader passes are free. Applicants need to identify the material they wish to consult and provide identification and proof of address. See the British Library website for current registration information.

Guidance when you need it

Help & Support

Study Skills Support

Get help with searching, referencing, digital fluency, critical thinking, planning, reading, note-taking, academic writing and presenting through timetabled sessions or one-to-one support.

Book a support session

Campus Help Desk

Get face-to-face help with your Library account, finding, borrowing and returning resources, Harvard referencing, coursework and assignments, Wi-Fi, printing and scanning.

Contact the Library
Additional support and reasonable adjustments

CSA is committed to making Library and learning-resource services accessible. If a disability, long-term health condition, learning difference or another circumstance affects how you access services or materials, contact the Library or Student Support to discuss reasonable adjustments and practical support. You do not need to disclose more personal information than is necessary to request support.

Support may include help locating, borrowing and using resources; guidance on accessible formats, assistive technology and Library systems; adjustments to borrowing or return arrangements where appropriate; help accessing study spaces and facilities; or referral to relevant Student Support services.

Discuss your needs confidentially with the Library

Library policies and guidance

User responsibilities and ethics

The Library seeks to provide a safe, secure and appropriate study environment. All users are expected to treat facilities, Library staff and fellow users with dignity and respect.

Where behaviour does not meet these expectations, Library staff may take reasonable and proportionate steps to protect people, facilities and resources. This may include asking a person to stop the behaviour, leave the Library temporarily or restricting access where necessary.

Any longer-term restriction or disciplinary action will be considered fairly under the School’s Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures. Students will be told the reason, expected duration and how to request a review. Relevant reasonable adjustments and agreed support arrangements will be considered.

Safeguarding, Prevent and serious misconduct

Students must use School facilities, systems and online resources lawfully, safely and responsibly. Serious concerns or suspected unlawful conduct—including harassment, grooming, fraud, misuse of systems or personal data, or behaviour that may put others at risk—may be addressed under safeguarding and disciplinary procedures and, where appropriate, referred to external agencies.

If you are concerned that you or another person may be at risk of harm, exploitation or radicalisation, tell a member of staff or contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead. You do not need to investigate the concern yourself. In an emergency or where there is an immediate risk of harm, contact the emergency services.

Read the current Safeguarding and Prevent policy record
Online safety, social media and account security

Use social media, School systems and online learning resources respectfully, lawfully and responsibly. Do not post personal information about others without permission or share confidential School information, learning materials or another person’s personal data without authority.

Use a strong, unique password for every important account; consider a trusted password manager; enable two-step verification where available; never share login details; do not save passwords on shared computers; and be cautious of suspicious messages, links and attachments. If an account may be compromised, change its password, enable two-step verification and contact the School.

Read the School’s Acceptable Use Policy and NCSC password guidance.

Copyright and licensed resources

Books, journals, e-books, databases, websites and other learning materials may be protected by copyright and licence conditions. Copy, print, download or save material only to the extent permitted for personal study, research or learning.

Do not copy or download more than the permitted amount; upload protected material publicly; share material without authority; download entire e-books, journal issues or substantial database content; use automated tools or crawlers; or remove copyright and source information. Acknowledge authors and sources using the required referencing style. If you are unsure, contact the Library before proceeding.

Electronic resources

Electronic databases are limited to authorised CSA students, faculty and staff. Sign in with your user ID and password, follow copyright requirements and comply with each provider’s licence terms. Material is for personal, non-commercial use.

Do not use robots or automated crawlers, download entire e-journals or substantial content, print numerous copies of one article or republish database material. Improper use may lead to reasonable and proportionate restrictions on access.

Library records and privacy

Caspian School of Academics Ltd uses personal information relating to Library use only where necessary to provide services, manage access, respond to enquiries, maintain security, improve services and meet legal or regulatory obligations.

This may include identity and contact details, Library account information, loans, returns, renewals, reservations, fines or charges, resource recommendations and support enquiries. Access is limited to authorised staff and approved providers that need the information to deliver or support the relevant service, and information is retained only for as long as required.

The School’s Student Privacy Notice explains the applicable lawful bases, retention periods and your rights. To request the notice, exercise your information rights or raise a concern, contact the Data Protection Lead at info@caspianschool.ac.uk. You may also read the website privacy information or contact the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Visitors

Visitors may use the Library by prior arrangement and must sign in at reception with photographic identification. Access to study space and printed materials is subject to availability. Electronic resources may be used only where the relevant licence permits. Visitors must follow Library rules and staff instructions.

Ask a Librarian service

Students can send Library and reference enquiries through the Ask a Librarian service or by email at any time. The Library normally replies within 48 hours, excluding holidays.

We can help with finding resources, checking availability, using the Library catalogue and databases, Harvard referencing, citations and partner-resource enquiries.

Visit Ask a Librarian
Referencing Guide

Referencing acknowledges the authors and creators whose work informed your assignments or portfolio.

View the Caspian Harvard Referencing Guide 2026–27

Help shape the collection

Recommend a Book

Suggestions from students and teaching staff help keep the Library collection relevant and up to date.

Use this form to recommend a title and include as much bibliographic information as possible. Requests are considered in light of course relevance, availability, licensing, budget and collection priorities; a recommendation does not guarantee purchase.

Submitting opens a pre-filled message to the CSA Library in your email application.

Contact CSA Library

Visit, call or email the library team

Our team is available throughout the week to help you find resources and make the most of the Library & Learning Resource Centre.