The University of Sheffield
Information Commons

Services and Facilities in the IC

Most of the facilities in the IC are self-service, and therefore available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This includes borrowing and returning books, reserving books, using the computers, printing, scanning, photocopying, adding money to the prepay printing and copying account, and booking group study rooms and computers.

To collect reserved books, pay fines or get help with any of the services, students need to come when the Information Desks are staffed.

Information Desks

The IC Team is made up of Library and Computing Services (CiCS) staff and they are on hand during staffed hours to help students with any queries they may have. There is an Information Desk on Level 0 and on Level 1 and students can also call for at-desk assistance using phones available on every floor.

The Level 0 desk is where students can pay fines, collect reservations, and borrow or return items that won't go through the self service machines.

Staff on the Level 1 desk handle all computer enquiries and help students with finding books, printing and photocopying. They also look after the building, checking equipment, reporting faults and dealing with technical problems.

A mixture of CiCS and Library staff work on each desk so there is always an expert in each field available. During semester, staff are available until 9pm on weekdays and from 2pm - 6pm at weekends.

Welcome Desk

The concierge team is on duty 24 hours a day and can be called upon at any time if students need assistance. At night, the main doors to the IC are locked. This helps us know exactly who is in the building at any given time and is particularly important for the security of students working through the night.

Café

There is a 72 seat café on Level 0 which sells a wide range of hot and cold food and drinks. At night, the café area is left open so students can consume their own food and drink in there.

There are vending machines available to the rear of the café, behind the counter. These offer hot and cold drinks and snacks. Water fountains are available on every floor supplying chilled, filtered water.

Cleaners and Recycling

Our Cleaning team work from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 12pm Saturday and Sunday. As the IC is open 24 hours a day, we sometimes have to close areas off to clean them. Silent areas are cleaned before 8.30am on weekdays to minimise disruption.

We endeavour to recycle as much of our waste as possible and provide recycling bins on each level for paper and plastic bottles and cans. To help keep the IC clean and tidy, we only allow food and drink in certain areas.

Prayer room

There is a non-denominational prayer and meditation room on Level 4 which is available 24/7 to any student or member of staff who wishes to use it.

Toilets and Shower

There are male, female and accessible toilets on each level. They use a rainwater recycling system (grey water) for flushing.

There is a single shower cubicle available on Level 1, which is particularly useful for people who walk or cycle to the University.