Situated in a beautifully sunlit area of the campus, the Astra Library features an extensive collection of academic and technology resources. These resources are curated to support you in developing a foundational knowledge in your areas of study, while empowering you to be at the forefront of the latest technologies.

e-Resources

Our EBSCOhost research database gives you access to thousands of journal articles, magazines, newspapers, reports, white papers, and case studies from anywhere with an internet connection.

Workshops on how to use EBSCOhost, how to research, how to manage and organise your research (and more) are held regularly in the Astra Library.

e-Publications

For a well-rounded perspective of the world we live, study, and work in, the below e-publications are also available to you via on-campus library technology.

• Digital news subscriptions of the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Financial Review, and the Australian.
• AppleNews+ with a wide selection of news and digital magazines across business, technology, current affairs, and other topics including cooking, travel, fashion, and health.

Library technology

At Astra, we aim to be at the forefront of mainstream technology so you can build competitive tech skills alongside your education.

The below technology – and more as we build the collection – is available for you to use on campus, whether to study, or to play and de-stress with. Your librarian will be happy to guide you through how to use the various devices.

• Apple Vision Pro – augmented reality / immersive experiences / spatial computing 
• Meta Quest 3 – virtual reality / augmented reality 

We also have the latest mobile devices, and desktop computers available for your study needs.

Workshops and Appointments

The Astra Library is open from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday except for public holidays and end-of-year campus closure.

Academic skills

Your librarian can support you in building the below skills:

• academic writing
• referencing
• information literacy 
• research management 
• academic integrity awareness
• generative AI literacy

You can book an appointment here.

Workshops

Workshops to boost your academic skills and personal skills are run regularly throughout the trimester, so keep your eye out on the Library Workshop Calendar.

Hardcopy textbooks

Some of us prefer to read hardcopies of text, so we have copies of the prescribed textbooks of each Unit available for you to borrow.

Other types of books

Also available in hardcopy is a collection of classic and new business and self-development books on topics such as:

• emotional intelligence
• leadership
• building good habits
• communication
• biographies

You can also borrow books about:

• young adult life
• mental health and wellbeing
• relationships

We also have light-hearted graphic novels, and boardgames for you and your fellow classmates to de-stress with.

Other resources around Astra

• The State Library of NSW offers many cultural events, exhibitions, and workshops. They also have an extensive digital collection here.
• Take a stroll through one of the art exhibitions at the Art Gallery of NSW to recharge your study brain.
• Parramatta Library, or your local library. The public library has a large collection of popular novels, such as classics, mystery, romance, and graphic/comics. It also has books and magazines on various crafts and hobbies. Membership is free with evidence of your address in Sydney.