Library Resources
The Information Commons holds 100,000 books on Levels 1-4. They´re all on module reading lists and in heavy demand. There are reference-only copies of most titles.
There are self-service issue machines on four of the seven levels. These are available 24/7 and students simply need their University ID card (UCard) and their Library PIN to use them.
The IC has one of the first robotised book return sorters in the UK which uses RFID technology to manage the book stock.
Computing Resources
In the IC, students can use PCs, Kiosks or their own laptops.
PCs
There are over 500 PCs, spread over Levels 1-6. They are found on individual study desks, group study desks, in group study rooms, and in classrooms.
PCs give full access to the Managed Desktop Service, allowing students to use a range of commonly used applications (such as Office), as well as specialist teaching software. Printing can be done from PCs, as can saving work to the students´ networked filestore.
A guide to PC Availability is displayed on plasma screens on every level. This information is updated every couple of minutes and gives an idea of the best level to go to to find an available PC. This, together with campus-wide PC availability, can also be obtained via mobile phones.
Over a third of PCs in the IC can be booked in advance using an online booking system. They can be booked for up to 4 hours at a time, up to 7 days in advance, thus ensuring a PC will be available even at busy times.
Kiosks
Sunray Kiosks are found on Levels 0-4, including in the café, and are designed to give students quick-access to the internet. They can access the University Portal, their email, search the Library catalogue and access online course information.
Kiosks do not give access to networked filestore, so although they can be used to read and send email, they cannot be used to send or save attachments. Printing is also not possible from a kiosk, and nor can they be booked in advance.
Laptops
A large proportion of our students have their own laptop and the university wireless network can be accessed from anywhere in the IC. Electrical sockets are provided on most study desks that don´t have PCs so that laptops can be plugged in.
Printing and Copying Resources
There is a Business Unit on each level which contains a combination of printers, photocopiers and value loaders (for adding credit for copying and printing). Each machine has a card reader and students need to swipe their UCard to use them. All printing is double-sided by default. Scanners are on Level 1 and are all bookable.
We have:
- 5 value loaders
- 11 black and white A4 printers
- 2 black and white A3 / A4 printers
- 6 colour printers
- 5 black and white photocopiers
- 1 A3 scanner
- 4 A4 scanners
Information Screens
There are plasma screens on every level displaying important and useful information about the building. Students can see PC availability in the building and in nearby computer rooms, group room bookings, and find out what is going on in the IC. We can display important messages round the building instantly as well as advertise our own, and university-wide, services and events.