Relax and Renew resources

Our specially curated book collection includes a range of non-fiction titles on subjects such as:

• Healthy eating and recipes
• Navigating student life
• LGBTQIA+ issues
• Menopause and endometriosis
• Mental and physical wellbeing

We also have a range of fiction books, graphic novels, poetry, biographies and children’s books available. We have a selection of board games which users can borrow. If you would like to borrow a board game, please take it to the library desk where it will be issued to you.

We want our GCU students and staff to have a say about what is in our collection. If you have a resource suggestion, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can submit your suggestions using our wellbeing collection request form.

Our book displays aim to engage our students and community users to think about their own wellbeing, especially during assessment and exams, and the pressures of being new to university life.

They also complement students reading from their Resource Lists, as we have a wide variety of titles such as, mental health, neurodiversity, the LGBTQIA+ community, anti-racism, and feminism.

You can request a display by emailing relaxandrenew@gcu.ac.uk.

CalZine is a vibrant collection of zines housed at our library's Relax and Renew space. Zines are independent, often handmade publications that explore a wide range of topics—personal stories, activism, art, and niche interests—offering a unique and creative form of self-expression. As students, you might find inspiration in their raw authenticity, diverse perspectives, and DIY ethos. Whether you're looking for a fresh way to engage with ideas, unwind with something visually striking, or even create your own, CalZine invites you to explore and connect through this dynamic medium.