Information Commons

Find site-specific resources and information to help you plan your visit to the Information Commons (IC).

An image of the inside of the Information Commons, comprising multiple levels of the building, with students studying
On

Opening hours

Open 24/7 - Library Staffed hours, Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm 
(self-service Monday - Friday, 5pm - 9am)

Self-service only on weekends. Please note that library staff are available at Western Bank Library on Saturday & Sunday, between 12pm - 6pm.


Christmas opening hours: 

The Information Commons will remain open over the Christmas period. Library staff will be unavailable from 5pm on Friday 20 December 2024 until 9am on Thursday 2 January 2025. For more information on library services available over the Christmas vacation period, visit our FAQ

Contact us

University of Sheffield
44 Leavygreave Rd
S3 7RD

Enquiries: +44 114 2227200
Email: library@sheffield.ac.uk

Directions: via Google maps


Planning your visit

To discover more about our library spaces and services you can view our interactive maps.

View interactive maps here

Book a study space

Access and evacuation

Find a PC


Site-specific resources

Research skills and critical thinking workshops

Get IT help (Student / staff login required)

Find information on the IC Café


The Garden Room

Your place of relaxation and calm.

The Garden Room is a space for student wellbeing and relaxation; it is situated on the Ground floor of the Information Commons.

The Garden Room offers students a comfortable, relaxing break from their studies and also serves to encourage students to take regular study breaks.

We have worked closely with students and taken their suggestions and feedback to inform the furniture choices, resources and layout of the room.

It is hoped that providing a calming environment will contribute towards greater student wellbeing and lower levels of stress and anxiety amongst those who use it, especially during assessment periods.

The space holds a number of books for recreational usage, to encourage students to read for pleasure, rather than just for study purposes and we are hoping that students will relax and take some time out from using their electronic devices.

A chair next to a table with books and a lamp

We are a student group that wanted to and felt the need for a wellbeing focused area where students could really relax in our University.

After a fair bit of research we worked with the library to help create this space through planning and purchasing some of the resources - such as the chairs, books, zines, pictures and plants.

We hope The Garden Room will be the perfect spot for you to relax, be positive, improve your mood and dream big!

pots of crayons on a bookshelf, with the Garden Room in the background

Sensory Study Room

The sensory study room with a pink light

The sensory study room was created through collaboration with SUSU Liberation Officer, SUSU Disability Officer and colleagues in DDSS.

The room is a space in the Library that will allow you to moderate your sensory experience and continue to study.

The room benefits from many features, including controllable lights with different settings, soft seating with fixed and adjustable tables, weighted blankets and reduced natural light.

Sensory study room with a green light

Library information

Customers with additional support requirements (inclusive learning)

Read about the history of the IC

Ask a question

Email: library@sheffield.ac.uk

Phone: +44 114 222 7200

Four students laughing while sat at a bench, outside the Students' Union

International scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international students, including undergraduate and postgraduate taught scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee.

Applications are open for existing offer holders for programmes starting in autumn 2025.