Study spaces
Need a place to work? We've got you covered! Find out about all the study spaces we offer across the NTU Libraries.
The Knowledge Café
The interior of the Knowledge Cafe, located in Boots Library.
The Knowledge Café is our hub for creative and collaborative learning, located in Boots Library on City Campus.
At the Knowledge Café you can:
- Use the space to work alone or as a group.
- Consult a Student Mentor available for drop-in queries
- Attend one-to-one appointments with student mentors, academic skills and maths & stats tutors, and librarians.
- Attend the weekly Library Lunchtime Learning workshop
- Browse our curated collection of study skills and well-being resources.
Available facilities
- Interactive whiteboard
- Group tables and chairs
- Study skills and well-being collection
Out core of hours
- We lend the Knowledge Cafe to other departments or student groups that focus on developing research and writing skills as well as other creative endeavours.
Family Study Room
The Boots Library Family Study Room interior.
The Family Study Room, located on Level 1 of Boots Library, is a dedicated area for users to study whilst needing to supervise a child.
Facilities in the room include:
- 2 PC workstations for adult use with playpen attached for small children
- 1 low square table with 2 small chairs, suitable for small children
- 2 reclining armchairs
- 1 baby change unit
- Toy decals attached to walls
- Children’s books provided
- Space for pushchair/baby carrier.
Opening times
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 9 pm
- Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm
- Sunday, 11 am - 7pm
Using the room
You do not currently need to book the Family Study Room; however, priority use will be given to those that have booked.
For more information on how to book, please speak to a member of library staff either in person or on 0115 848 2175.
The room is not intended for use by those unaccompanied by children. This will support those who have found it challenging to meet their study commitments due to childcare responsibilities.
User feedback and monitoring of any issues that may arise in that time will continue to inform the policy for managing this space.
More information
For more information about the room, please see our Family Study Room Policy (available on request or at point of booking).
The Haven
Based in Boots Library (Room BTS 309), The Haven is a place for reflection, meditation, prayer and stillness; a place where staff and students of all faiths can find peace, solace, and emotional well-being.
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday: 8.30 am to midnight
- Saturday: 9.00 am to midnight
- Sunday: 11.00 am to midnight
Reasons to use The Haven?
- Available for reflection, solace, meditation, prayer and stillness.
- It is a quiet space, not a meeting room or social gathering space.
- No food or drink is allowed to be consumed in The Haven.
- All digital devices must be switched off or on silent mode.
Who can use The Haven?
The Haven is open to all staff and students, and is available for all students and staff irrespective of faith or no faith.
The principles of dignity and respect underpin the use of The Haven. Please leave the room as you found it — ready for use by others.
Choosing a Study Zone
We offer a three-colour zone system that provide specific study environments to suit your needs.
If you want to study as a group, these are the zones for you. There are open plan group study areas at all four libraries, complete with study tables, PCs and power sockets for laptops. Look out for the green banners that indicate that an area is a group zone.
In addition, you can book a Group Study Room and at Boots, a group study table, for up to two hours per day per group using our online booking service.
We have designed these zones for quiet, individual study at tables, but you can have brief quiet conversations with other students in these areas. Some of the tables have power sockets for laptops and PCs. Look out for the amber banners that indicate that an area is a quiet zone.
If you prefer silent, individual study, then the silent zones are for you. Here you will find study tables, some with power sockets for laptops and PCs. Look out for the red banners that indicate that an area is a silent zone.
Behaviour in study environments
Please help us to maintain an environment in which you and other students can learn and study.
Please help us to maintain an environment in which you and other students can learn and study.
- Remember that the library is primarily a place to study. Make sure that you are not disturbing other people by talking loudly. Please put your mobile phone on silent.
- Soft drinks, as well as tea and coffee, are fine as long as they are in non-spill containers.
- We also allow you to bring in cold snacks.
- Litter is unpleasant, so respect your library and other people by clearing away your rubbish. Recycle your waste where possible, using the bins provided.
- Treat fellow library users and library staff with courtesy, respect and consideration at all times.
Study and PC space is in very high demand and you have told us that it's unfair of students to leave their belongings on PCs and desks and then disappear for hours, meaning that the space can't be used by others. We agree so we've worked with NTSU and others and as a result:
- PCs will automatically log out if not used for one hour so other students can use them.
- Belongings that have been left unattended for one hour will be removed so other students can use the study space.
Don't risk losing your work – log out and free up the study space or it will be done for you.
We'd rather not have to, but if we feel you are not behaving in a considerate way, we may ask you to leave the library. You may also be liable to further action under the NTU's disciplinary procedures.
Other study areas
In addition to the study spaces available within the libraries, there are a number of Library managed study spaces across the City and Clifton campuses. See all opening hours.
| Room | Facilities |
|---|---|
| Library@Dryden - level 0 |
|
| Library@Newton - Area 1 |
|
| Library@Newton - Area 2 |
|
| Library@Chaucer - Level 0 |
|
| Library@Chaucer - Room 1704 |
|
| Library@Chaucer - Room 3801 |
|
| Library@Chaucer - Room 3608 |
|
| Room | Facilities |
|---|---|
| Belgrave - Café Belgrave (level 1) |
|
| Djanogly - lower ground floor |
|
| Waverley - Ground floor |
|
| Room | Facilities |
|---|---|
| Library@NewHallBlock - Room 087 | 22 PCs and 10 Macs |
| Library@NewHallBlock - Room 092 (Taught postgraduate students - swipe access only) | 14 PCs |
| Room | Facility |
|---|---|
| Pavilion - ground floor |
|
| Pavilion - first floor |
|
| Erasmus Darwin - Café Darwin (ground floor) |
|
| Erasmus Darwin - Green Zone 207 |
|
| Ada Byron King - Outside 106 Resource Room |
|
| Ada Byron King - 1st floor - Coffee Bar |
|
There are dedicated study areas for Taught Postgraduate students within Boots Library and New Hall Block on Clifton Campus. You will need a smartcard to access the study areas.
| Room | Facilities |
|---|---|
Boots Library Level 3
| 45 PCs and study spaces Bookable Group Study Room Group Study Tables |
Clifton
| 14 PCs |