Information Commons
Find site-specific resources and information to help you plan your visit to the Information Commons (IC).
Please note that the Information Commons will be unstaffed by library staff from 1pm on Wednesday 29 July, and will reopen as normal at 9am on Thursday 30 July.
Opening hours
The information Commons is open 24/7.
Library Staffed hours:
Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm (self-service 5pm - 9am)
Self-service only on weekends. Please note that library staff are available at Western Bank Library on Saturday & Sunday, between 12pm - 6pm.
Please note that Levels 5 and 6 will be closed until Monday 21 September.
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.
Take a 360 tour of the Information Commons
Site-specific resources
Research skills and critical thinking workshops
Find information on the IC Café
The Digital Commons creative makerspace
Wellbeing spaces
The Garden Room
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. You can also borrow chess sets, interactive "anxiety bookshelves", and Hugimal weighted animals for use in the Garden Room.
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!
Sensory Study Room
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.
Equipment available on site
If you are visiting the Information Commons, you can borrow a range of equipment for use on site for the day. These items can be returned at any time via the Self Service machines.
You can borrow:
Whiteboard Pens
Mice
Headphones
Headphone splitters
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Negative Film Scanner Holders
Speak to a member of staff on the desk who will be able to help you find what you are looking for.
Experience Sheffield for yourself
Find out what studying at Sheffield is like by visiting us or booking onto an online event.