Find & Use Library Resources
We host diverse resources, including Mātangireia for Indigenous materials and O Neherā for digital content, with over a million print volumes and online resources.
Physical Resources
We offer a wide range of resources, from books and journals located on Levels 3 and 4 of the Hamilton Campus Library to a diverse selection of unique media and materials. For help with enquiries or finding and using library resources, please visit the Library Enquiries Desk on Level 2, or email library@waikato.ac.nz.
CD Collection:
- The Music CDs are kept in bins on Level 3 of the Hamilton Campus Library and in the Teaching Resources Library. They need to be issued at the Library Service Desk. Headphones are also available from the Library Service Desk.
DVD Collection:
- A collection of DVD feature films is available on Level 3 of the Hamilton Campus Library.
A collection of graded English Language Readers is available on Level 3 in the Hamilton Campus Library.
The University of Waikato Library boasts a collection of law resources to support teaching and research in the Faculty of Law. These resources are available to the campus community and are located on Level 4 in the Hamilton Campus Library.
Microfilm and microfiche are located on Level 4 of the Hamilton Campus Library. There is a microform reader/printer available near the collection. Please Contact Us for more information.
The Library has a closed-access area where we keep lesser-used material. All the items are listed in and can be requested from Library Search. Retrieval time varies, but is usually within 48 hours. Storage items include older runs of journals or sets, superseded editions of textbooks, duplicate copies of books, and material which is no longer current but may be of historical interest.
The Teaching Resources Library contains books and other resources to assist in preparation and planning for teaching, and for use in schools and early childhood centres during teaching practice.
Borrowing
You can put a request on an item through Library Search and we will notify you when the items are available. Alternatively you can email libycirc@waikato.ac.nz or ask for assistance at the level 2 Library Service Desk.
Staff and students can renew items for up to 300 days (postgraduate & staff) or 150 days (undergraduates). Check your membership details, or My Library Account.
To renew a Library item:
- Go to My Library Account.
- Use the Self Return and Issue machines in the Library, or
- Bring the items to the Service Desk on Level 2
Renewal periods are:
- Postgraduates – 300 days
- Undergraduates – 150 days
These are the maximum periods of the entire loan including all renewals. An exception applies when an item is recalled.
All items are subject to recall, but not all members can recall an item. Check your membership details for more information.
-
If you receive a recall notice, return the item by the specified due date.
-
High Demand items are more likely to be recalled.
- You can return items during business hours or the after hours slot at the Hamilton Campus Library.
-
Posted items can be sent back to the University of Waikato Hamilton Campus Library.
The purpose of these "high demand" items is to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to access these items for their assignments.
If you want to book an item for a specific time:
- Search for the title of the book using Library Search
- Select Request
- Choose booking times and select Request
- Pick up the item from the Level 2 Library Desk in the main Hamilton Campus Library when ready.
Things you need to know:
- You can book for 2 hours maximum up to a week in advance
- Back to back bookings are not possible
- Booked items will only be held for 10 minutes
Making copies
You are welcome to make copies from the items in the High Demand Collection, but you must comply with copyright licence.
Waikato Students only. All current fines are detailed on My Library Account in the "Fines + fees" section.
Library fees may be paid at the Hamilton Library Service Desk or by Internet Banking:
- University of Waikato (payee) bank account number: 12-3122-0084728-00
- Please include the following in the payee detail fields:
- Particulars: Lib fine
- Reference: student ID number
- Code: Surname & first initial (e.g. Bloggs M)
Advise the Library by emailing libycirc@waikato.ac.nz when payment is made so that your record can be adjusted.
Item borrowing limits
Students and staff can borrow:
- 100 items per person, at any one time
- Two High Demand items per person, at any one time Associate and Alumni members can borrow:
- Ten items out at any one time
Loan periods The length of time you can borrow an item for will depend on your Library Membership. See the following tables for borrowing times for all Library material, or Contact Us for assistance.
Interlibrary Loan
If the item is known, simply log in to your Interlibrary Loan account account and click "Create Request", providing as much detail as possible. Alternatively, search for items through Library Search, by changing "Our library" to "Books from other libraries" and place a request using the "Get it" option.
All messages regarding that request will be sent to the email address you have saved in your Interlibrary Loan account under section 'Communication Preferences'. We will normally contact you within 7 days of receiving your request but if you haven't heard from us in that time, check your 'spam' first (our email may have ended up there) and check you have saved the correct email address in your account before contacting us directly.
Place your requests in plenty of time, allowing at least two weeks for delivery. Generally books will take longer to arrive than articles. The accuracy and quality of your reference is important and will help us process your request quickly.
If you have placed a request and haven't heard from us within 7 days, check your 'spam' first (our email may have ended up there) then email interloan@waikato.ac.nz or phone +647 837 9139 and let us know.
If the item is urgent, request the item through your Interlibrary Loan account as per normal and either email interloan@waikato.ac.nz or phone +647 837 9139 so we can prioritise the request. Note there will be a cost for an urgent request.
- Please remember to select your pickup location when placing your request.
- Library Use Only material must be collected in person from the Service Desks of the Hamilton Campus or Teaching Resources Library.
Distance & Tauranga Students:
- Books will be posted to the address listed on your library record.
- Library Use Only items cannot be posted to you. Before you place the request you will need to make arrangements with the Interlibrary Services Team (email interloan@waikato.ac.nz or phone +647 837 9139
You can request a renewal for most of your interlibrary loans but they are subject to the approval of the lending library.
Request a renewal by emailing us directly at interloan@waikato.ac.nz.
When you have finished with your interlibrary loan, please return it to the Service Desk you collected it from, or post it to the below address:
Interlibrary Services
University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
HAMILTON 3240
By using the Interlibrary Loan system you agree to comply with Section 51-56c of the New Zealand Copyright Act 1994. You may not reproduce documents you receive or share with others.
No more than one article may be obtained from one issue of one journal at a time, or two articles if they are on the same topic.
- Conditions: Items from other libraries may have specific conditions; non-compliance may revoke privileges.
- Overdue items: $3/day fine may apply for non-response to notifications.
- Damaged or lost books: Patron covers supplying library charge + UOW admin fee.
Book delivery, Post and Scan
If you meet the following criteria, you can complete the Register for Distance Services Form.
- Postgraduate students: Your term-time place of residence is 80km or more from the Hamilton campus.
- Undergraduate students: Your term-time place of residence is 80km or more from the Hamilton campus, and 50% or more of your papers are net or Tauranga papers.
- Students residing closer to Hamilton but with a genuine need for home delivery can request distance services by emailing library@waikato.ac.nz.
- Sign in to Library Search
- Search for the book:
- Click on its title to go to its full record
- Click the request link near Request Options
- Click the drop-down menu arrow next to Pickup Location
- Select Home address under Personal Delivery
- Click Request
- Allow 5-10 working days for delivery. Track your request's progress via My Account.
Note: you have to registered to use this feature. See Criteria & registration section above.
Students are responsible for returning materials to the Library.
Our postal address:
The University of Waikato Library
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton 3240
Digital Resources
O Neherā
Browse or search our digital archives, featuring historical images, documents, and first-hand accounts offering unique local insights into Waikato and Aotearoa New Zealand. Includes non-digitised collection information.
Databases A-Z
A collection of databases spanning various subjects and topics essential for research and assignments. Need help navigating? Contact us for expert assistance.
Research Commons
Explore the University of Waikato's Open Access repository featuring research publications, theses, and dissertations authored by our faculty and students.
Special Collections
Teaching Resources
The Teaching Resources Library contains books and other resources to assist in preparation and planning for teaching and for use in schools and early childhood centres during teaching practice.
Nga Taonga o Māhi Māreikura
Huakina! Riariakina! Kia hahaina, kia rangahia! Open! Explore! Grasp knowledge and bring it together! The Mahi Māreikura room showcases and preserves the treasures and works of Dr. Pei te Hurinui Jones.
Discover Mātangireia
A resource hub of Māori, Pacific, Aotearoa, and Indigenous materials, guided by Kaupapa Māori values, Mātangireia supports research, teaching, learning in an inclusive environment celebrating mana whenua, cultural heritage, and traditional knowledge.
Taonga & Artworks
Nga Taonga o Mahi Māreikura
Huakina! Riariakina! Kia hahaina, kia rangahia! Open! Explore! Grasp knowledge and bring it together! The Mahi Māreikura room showcases and preserves the treasures and works of Dr. Pei te Hurinui Jones.
Nga Taonga o Te Whare Pukapuka
The University of Waikato was established in 1964 and since has become kaitiaki of many taonga, some of which are currently in the care of Te Whare Pukapuka, the Library.
University Art Collection
Holding over 600 artworks the collection consists of a broad range of contemporary art and taonga including paintings, works on paper, photography, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, whakairo and mixed media, amongst others.