Resources for NCAD Staff & Researchers

Teaching, Research and the Edward Murphy Library 

The Edward Murphy Library houses an unrivalled collection of almost 100,000 books, pamphlets, video material, periodicals, and exhibition catalogues on a wide variety of topics. The EML's resources play an important role in NCAD’s research culture, providing access to a wide range of secondary sources on academic writing, research methods, and subject areas. In addition to the book collection, the EML subscribes to over 150 periodicals. Comprehensive back issues of these titles are also available in hard copy and the Library’s online databases provide access to additional digital publications. The Library also has a large collection of DVDs, Blu-rays, and CDs. 

Closed access special collections of rare and valuable materials relating to Irish art and design are also available in NIVAL - National Irish Visual Arts Library. The EML also has a collection of historic and rare materials that can be consulted in the Library, including books from the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art Library.

Queries relating to research and research support at the Edward Murphy Library should be addressed to the Assistant Librarian in the first instance. We can assist with a range of teaching & learning topics, including helping to develop the information and research skills of your students, supporting module and programme learning objectives, and assisting with classroom and online resources. 

Using the Library 

All registered staff and students at NCAD have access to the EML and its resources. For information on library opening hours and your borrowing entitlements, please see our Using the Library guide. 

Books, journals, and online resources (including journals and databases) can be found through the Library's Discovery Catalogue. If you're new to the Library, please consult our guide to advanced searching here, or speak to the staff at the Issue Desk for further information.  

Readers are welcome to browse all collections held on the open shelves. Some of the EML's collections are held in campus and offsite stores, and need to be requested in advance. Holds are placed through the catalogue, and you will receive an email when your items are available for collection from the Issue Desk. Please remember to bring your college ID card to borrow from the library. 

Interlibrary Loans 

If there is a book that you need to access for your research, and it is unavailable in the EML or another local library (such as TCD, UCD, TUD or the NLI), it may be possible to request an interlibrary loan. There is a charge for this service: for further details speak to the Issue Desk staff. 

Book Orders 

Staff and researchers are welcome to suggest new titles for the EML’s collections. Before ordering new books, please do a thorough check against our existing holdings via the Discovery Catalogue to ensure that we do not already have the title in the collection. 

To submit a new book order, please complete this form or contact the Assistant Librarian, Katy Milligan (milligank@staff.ncad.ie). 

Subject and Research Guides 

For more varied and in-depth guides to using the EML and for information on specific research areas, visit our Library Guide page. 

Citation and Reference Management 

NCAD uses Harvard Style for all written assessments and theses. For further information, see the EML’s LibGuide on Reference and Citation. 

If you are undertaking a large research project, it may be useful to use a reference management system such as Zotero, Mendeley or EndNote. Zotero is a free, open source platform: Mendeley and EndNote have both free and paid versions. 

Scholarly journals and publications use a range of citation styles and formats. If you are submitting your work to a publication, make sure that you have sought out the style guidelines from the publication or publisher’s website, and that you have followed the correct citation style. 

This comprehensive guide from UCD Library offers an overview of academic integrity and different citation styles. 

Library Training for Staff & Students 

Whether you're a seasoned staff member or new to NCAD we are always happy to arrange introductory sessions for the EML. These sessions can cover resources for your own practice and research, as well the services and resources available to students or for use in teaching. We can accommodate sessions and short tours for up to 12 people in the Library: for larger groups we are happy to come to your unit or arrange an online session. Sessions can be tailored to the time you have available, running from 15 - 60 minutes.

To submit a training session request, please complete this form or contact the Assistant Librarian, Katy Milligan (milligank@staff.ncad.ie). 

Visiting Other Libraries

NCAD is a member of Library Link: CONUL Access Scheme (formerly known as ALCID) a co-operative access scheme in operation across a number of institutions. A Library Link: CONUL Access Scheme membership card gives the card holder reading access to participating libraries across the Island of Ireland. All full-time academic staff, doctoral and masters (research & taught) students can avail of the Library Link: CONUL Access Scheme. 

A Library Link card entitles the bearer to read-only access to participant libraries - i.e. you cannot borrow materials from them. To obtain a Library Link card, please call to the Issue Desk with your Student / Staff ID card, or email libraryloans@staff.ncad.ie

Please note: Membership of the Library Link scheme is for one year, commencing in September. You must have your NCAD Student ID card with you as well as your Library Link card when you visit another library. Before visiting another Library Link institution, check for any special arrangements for visiting readers, and for opening hours. 

The participating institutions for the academic year 2024/25 are:

  • Dublin City University
  • Technological University Dublin
  • Mary Immaculate College
  • Maynooth University
  • Queen’s University Belfast
  • RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Royal Irish Academy
  • Royal Irish Academy of Music
  • Trinity College, Dublin
  • University College, Cork
  • University College, Dublin
  • University of Limerick
  • University of Galway
  • Ulster University
  • Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
  • National College of Art & Design 

If you need to visit another academic library and they are not part of the Library Link scheme, the EML Learning Centre can provide you with a Letter of Introduction. 

Information about obtaining a reader’s ticket for the National Library of Ireland  is available from their website; you will also find information about joining your local public library from the Libraries Ireland website. The closest public library to NCAD is on Kevin Street.

ARLIS - the UK & Ireland Art Libraries Association, have compiled an A-Z listing of art libraries across Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, which might be helpful to you in planning your research programme.