You need your UCard to access the Information Commons at all times. If you forget it, you won’t be allowed into the IC and you may be refused entry to other Library sites.
You will need to swipe in and out of the gates and at night, when the outer doors are locked, you’ll need to swipe your card to get through them as well.
You should never lend your UCard to another person and if your card is ever lost or stolen you should report this immediately to CiCS or SSiD.
2. Finding books and other material
The key to finding the item you are looking for is to use STAR, the Library’s online catalogue.
If the item you are looking for is on loan you can request it using STAR and you will be sent an email telling you when it is ready to collect.
To use this service you will need your UCard and your library PIN (use myLibraryAccount in MUSE to get this, or ask a member of IC staff).
3. Booking a computer, scanner or group study room
There are 13 group study rooms in the IC which you can book if you wish to work with friends or course mates.
There are also over 150 computers and 4 scanners which you can reserve up to 2 days in advance.
To access the booking systems for rooms and resources, or PCs and scanners, go to myQuickLinks in MUSE and click on the relevant link.
4. Using the self-service issue and return machines
Issue machines (for borrowing books) can be found on Level 0 and on Levels 1, 2 and 4 in the Business Units.
There are two return machines on Level 0 – one by the Information Desk and one at the entrance to the IC, before the turnstiles.
If you want to bring books back from other Library sites, you’ll need to use the return machine near the Information Desk because it has a barcode reader for non-IC books.
5. Photocopying and printing
Printers (black & white and colour) and photocopiers (black & white only) are located in the Business Units on Levels 1-6.
To pay for photocopying and printing use your UCard which is linked to a pre-pay account.
This is credited with £2 by the University when you start your course then you can add more money online through MUSE or by using the top-up machines on Levels 1 - 5 and elsewhere on campus.
6. Finding a computer
To find out where available computers are use the ‘PC Availability’ facility which is displayed on the plasma screens on every level of the IC.
If the IC is busy then you can use the PC booking system to reserve a computer on Level 4, 5 or 6.
PC availability information for computer rooms across campus is displayed on one screen on each level of the IC. You can also get the information using your mobile phone. See the link for details.
7. Using the Flexispace (Level 4)
The Flexispace is the one area where you can move things around as much as you like – the tables, chairs and screens can all be wheeled into different positions to suit you.
You can use the giant screen in the Flexispace to connect your laptop and practise presentations or work in groups – ask at the Level 0 Information Desk for a connector cable.
Use the ‘Huddle Boards’ (whiteboards and easels) to record your discussions and then hang them on the rail under the ‘Copy Cams’ to take a photo of your whiteboard. See the links on the right.
8. Using your laptop
The IC is fully wireless enabled so that you can use your laptop without needing to physically connect to a network port.
If you want to charge your laptop battery you can plug into a socket in the floor or at desks where nothing is already plugged in. Please don’t unplug our computers though!
You can use your laptop everywhere in the building.
9. Opening and service hours
The IC is open 24 hours a day, all year round and you can access the building at any time of day or night with your UCard.
Staff are available to help you with all aspects of the IC during service hours. See the link for details.
You can call for support or advice by dialling 22 29999 during service hours or by pressing the Help button on a phone at a Business Unit.
10. Helping us to help you
When you’ve finished using books in the IC and you don’t want to borrow them, place them on the re-shelving trolleys so we can get them back on the shelves faster.
Clear up after yourself when you leave your study area – put paper, plastic bottles and cans in the recycling bins and rubbish in the waste bin.
Desks with computers are food-free zones – this is to prevent damage to the keyboards.
Drinks are allowed, provided they have a lid. See the Food and Drink link for full details of our "Leave no trace" policy.
Don’t plug your own equipment into the sockets that are already in use – this can cause electrical problems which means PCs, lights and power sockets stop working.
Tell us if something isn’t working so we can fix it as quickly as possible.
Work quietly in silent study areas and be courteous of others when working communal study areas.
