Chemistry Branch Library
The Chemistry Branch Library (CBL) holds the University Library’s main collection of chemistry books and journals and is open to all University of Glasgow staff and students. It is situated on Level 5 of the Joseph Black Building on the main campus.
Opening hours & location
We are currently offering a staffed service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 09:00 – 17:00.
Access to study spaces, and for browsing and borrowing from our collections via self-service, is available Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:30.
When visiting the library, please ensure you have your student card with you.
Our team is also available to support you online via chemistry-library@glasgow.ac.uk or the UofG Helpdesk.
View on google maps for location and directions.
Accessable - Joseph Black Building accessibility information.

Floor plan
Contact us
If you have any questions, please ask at our enquiry desk, or contact us:
- 0141 330 5502
- chemistry-library@glasgow.ac.uk
- UofG Helpdesk
- Over 4,000 books and 200 journals
- Extensive collection of online resources
- 88 study spaces
- Wi-Fi
- Colour printing and copying
- Scan and send to your email address
- Book return box
- Staff-led tours available - just ask at the enquiry desk
Membership and borrowing
Membership
The Chemistry Library is open to all University of Glasgow staff and students.
Searching for books and journals
Use the Library search to find books and journals. You can access this online from anywhere - home or campus. If the item you need is on loan, you can recall it. Click on 'Request It' and follow the instructions.
Our electronic and print journals are listed separately so you may get two hits in the results list for the same title. Please note that we don't always have the same coverage in print/electronic and some journals are only available in one format.
Borrowing
Take the books you would like, and your card, to the self-issue machine and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be offered a printed or email receipt with details of the return date. Standard loan books can be borrowed for up to 4 weeks (12 weeks for staff and postgraduates). Alternatively, during staffed hours, please take the items to be borrowed to the enquiry desk.
You can renew the loan period for items up to 5 times unless another reader needs them. This can be done from your Library Account if they are not overdue. Renewals may also be made in person or by telephone (0141-330-5502). If a book has been recalled by another user, you will be contacted via your student email address and asked to return it by a specific date.
Returns
Books may be returned either directly to the Chemistry Branch Library, or via the University Library. A book drop box is located outside the Library for returns.
Collections
Reference Material
A collection of reference works is located on the right, behind the booths, as you enter CBL.
The Safety Collection, including suppliers' catalogues, is shelved next to the reference books.
Oxford Chemistry Primers are kept with the reference materials, just outside the Librarian’s Office, but these can be borrowed.
Copying and printing
Photocopying
You can now scan, print and photocopy using the Multi-Functional Device (or MFD) in the Chemistry Branch Library.
This is done by simply swiping a student or staff card over the ‘Pull Print’ logo on the printers, then selecting either Print, Scan or Copy. A photocopy, or a print of a scan, will cost the same as normal printing and credit will be taken from your print credit balance.
Print Credits
You can buy credits online using a credit/debit card through your MyPrinting print credit account.