Facilities
We invest to create the right environment for you. That means outstanding facilities, study spaces and support – and the freedom to do things your own way.
The University Library
The University Library’s collections and content are rich in new media, digital works, texts and research materials. You can access your library account and all our digital collections from anywhere on or off campus.
Our online service has over one million ebooks and 60,000 journal titles along with a virtual library team and specialist librarians ready to support you.
There are four different library buildings, including the Information Commons which is open 24/7.
Explore our library buildings and facilities
Library services
If there is a book that you need, you can request it online and when you're finished with it, you can drop it off at the Information Commons, Western Bank Library, or the Health Sciences Library and we can get it back to where it belongs. We'll also automatically renew any unreturned books you have borrowed, provided no one else has requested them.
If you need a book or article that we don't have access to here at the library, we can get hold of it for you; just get in touch with the library team and we can help.
Library support
The library runs a range of workshops to help develop your research skills and critical thinking, as expanding your digital creativity and supporting student-led liberation initiatives. We have a specialist librarian for every main subject area and subject guides created specifically for your course, to ensure that you can get the specialist help and advice you need.
Our library is one of the UK’s leading research libraries, and is home to around 25,000 rare books and over 150 special collections which include archives, manuscripts, photographs, books, pamphlets and scores that you can visit and explore.
Outstanding IT services
Our study spaces, computers and IT support are all there to offer you the best possible learning experience.
Computers, software and IT support
You can get fast, free, secure Wi-Fi all over campus and in University accommodation. You will be able to connect your own devices or we can lend you a laptop if you need it. If you have trouble with your personal computer, we’re on hand to investigate the problem for free and help you out with any other IT queries.
We even provide a University software download service that lets you install a range of academic, productivity and security software on to your own computer.
The University of Sheffield Library has maintained its efficiency at a very high standard since I started studying here last September. While StarPlus allows me to find and request books from any location at any time, the Information Commons is open all day and all night allowing me to borrow and return books whenever. I also love the convenience of the auto-renew function of borrowed books
Laila Abubakari
MA International Political Communication
Custom apps
We’ve created free apps for you to check your timetable, locate available PCs and interact with other people on your course.
Flexible printing
Our flexible printing service lets you print from any computer, tablet or mobile and pick up from any printer on campus.
Our virtual learning environment
Our virtual learning environment provides course notes, lecture recordings, assignment uploads and other resources to help you study.
And our software download service gives you free access to specialist research software to ensure you produce your best work.
You can use all your University online services securely and you can access all your work files from any computer with an internet connection.
Our whole service provision is designed to let you work and study effectively from any computer in any location, in whatever work pattern is best for you.