Learning Resources services are available at Colchester and Braintree campuses offering a range of services. There are over 50,000 physical library resources including books, academic journals, DVDs, CDs and music scores as well as online information designed to support you with your studies. We also have equipment for you to borrow to help with your work, such as cameras, digital audio recorders, video cameras, microphones, phone cables and Chromebook tablets.
Please click an area below for more information.
Library Help and Support
Learning Resources staff will give you friendly, helpful advice to enable you to make the best use of the services here. To find out more, visit the Library’s portal pages; you can also search the Library Catalogue for resources. To join the Library, bring your student ID card to one of the staffed desks in the Library; once you have signed up you can begin borrowing immediately. You must always have your ID card with you to borrow anything.
As part of your course induction you will meet a Learning Resources Adviser, the information specialist for your course, who will show you how to make best use of the facilities and resources available to you. The Advisers offer sessions to help you find information, to improve your search skills and understand your search results, and to use Harvard referencing. If you need help with finding resources for an assignment you can get in touch with the Adviser for your subject area for one-to-one help throughout the year.
Online Resources
The Library subscribes to online databases and web resources covering an extensive range of subject areas and has full-text access to over 10,000 electronic journals as well as a range of e-books; these are accessible both on and off-campus.
There are a variety of study spaces available in the Library, including a seminar room that be used for group work or to practice presentations. You may also book a computer in the Library from over thirty open-access PCs that are available.
Opening Hours
| Colchester (first floor South Wing) Colchester Institute Library, Sheepen Road, Colchester CO3 3LL | Braintree (STEM Centre) The College at Braintree Library, Church Lane, Braintree CM7 5SN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term time | Holiday time | Term time | Holiday time |
| Monday & Wednesday 8am -6.15pm | Monday 8:30am – 5:00pm | Monday 8am – 4:30pm | Please check opening hours before visiting |
| Tuesday & Thursday 8am – 8pm | Tuesday to Thursday 8:30am – 5:00pm | Tuesday to Thursday 8am – 4:30pm | Please check opening hours before visiting |
| Friday 8am – 4:30pm | Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm | Friday 8am – 4pm | Open by arrangement only in the summer |
| Saturday Closed | Saturday Closed | Saturday Closed | Saturday Closed |
You can contact us in person, by email or by phone:
Email: library.helpdesk@colchester.ac.uk
Telephone: (01206) 712642
Email: braintree.library@colchester.ac.uk
Telephone: (01206) 814040
Technical Learning Resources (TLR) offers a range of facilities, services, and help. It is an open resource for all learners with drop-in student PCs available and a friendly and approachable TLR team to offer advice and support in using the TLR resources and studios. The main TLR Helpdesk is located at Colchester in the Resources Zone, above Eat Central.
Resources and Studios
TLR Loan equipment is available from the site libraries, including point-and-shoot digital cameras, DSLR cameras, video cameras, audio recorders, Chrome book tablets and a wide variety of accessories. The Resources Zone also holds a stock of phone cables, headphones, and other items.
In addition to equipment that is available, TLR offers a range of specialist facilities for student use on the Colchester campus. These include a television studio, video editing suites, an audio studio and digital imaging facilities along with Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop etc.
Most courses call for written assignments, but there will also be opportunities to work with sound and vision. A short video sequence, prepared using our camcorders and post-production suites, is often an acceptable alternative to a written essay or report. Colchester Institute is dedicated to helping you lay a firm foundation for a successful career. Alongside a sound training in your chosen vocation, an ability to communicate is essential for success. Technical Learning Resources can provide direct experience in the latest communication media.
Help and Support
TLR staff are available to provide advice on techniques to get the most from the equipment and the studios mentioned above with induction videos available to access when convenient for you.
TLR also offers services such as video digitization and duplication, as well as laminating and binding services.
Opening Hours
| Term Time | Opens | Closes |
| Monday – Friday | 8:30 am | 4:00 pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed | |
| Holiday Time | Opens | Closes |
| Monday – Friday | By appointment | |
Contact TLR
You can contact us in person, by email or by phone:
- Email: tlr.helpdesk@colchester.ac.uk
- Telephone: (01206) 712288
