Around the World in 80+ Books invites international students and staff to suggest books, and to recommend libraries, that give a flavour of their home countries. Those who have travelled or lived abroad are also welcome to make recommendations. Selected books are added to the Library's 'Around the World' collection and where possible, both original language and English editions are included. Photographs of recommended libraries are displayed on Level 2 near the printers.
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. The project was initiated by the Library and is supported by the University's Alumni Fund.
Find books from the collection
- Find books: by connecting to the reading lists or by selecting a continent from the left-hand menu.
- Use your mobile phone to locate a book: each book is attached to a catalogue record which features a QR Code. You can scan this code with your phone in order to save catalogue information which includes the shelfmark - a convenient way of finding the book on the shelves. More about QR Codes.
- Add your own book review: the Library has attached an Amazon-style review to each catalogue record and we invite you to add your own comments.
Suggest books for the collection
- We are interested in books that communicate something about your home country. Suggestions are usually for works of fiction but you may also include poetry books and factual texts (e.g. biographies or travel writing). Five or six book nominations per country is ideal, but all nominations are welcome. To suggest a book title, please email Kate Robinson.
Recommend libraries for the photo exhibition
- Nominations should relate to libraries which you have personally used - they do not need to be famous libraries. You should also provide a brief quote (2 or 3 lines) explaining why you have chosen the library and summarising your experience of using it. Your quote may appear as a caption underneath the photo. To recommend a library, please email Kate Robinson.
- If you have a photograph of the library, or can recommend a source for a photograph, please email us the details. We may be able to scan a high-quality printed photograph but a digital version would be better (ideally, at least 500 KB or 500,000 bytes). A printed photograph would need to be suitable for printing at a size of approximately 15cm x 20cm. If the photograph is not one you have taken yourself, please let us know if it is likely to be subject to copyright restrictions and if permission is required for its use it in the exhibition.
View photos of recommended libraries
- Libraries around the world: view photos. Alternatively, view these photos by selecting a specific continent from the left-hand menu.
"Documentary heritage reflects the diversity of languages, peoples and cultures. It is the mirror of the world and its heritage." UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme.