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Study spaces

Find the study space you need. There are various zones in the libraries to provide a choice of study environments to suit your needs. In addition to the study spaces available within the libraries, there are a number of Extended Library Study Lounges and other areas across the campuses providing study and IT facilities.

The Knowledge Café

A brand new hub for creative, collaborative, peer-led learning at the heart of Boots Library.

At the Knowledge Café you can:

  • Use this space to work alone or as a group on your assignment or creative projects.
  • Consult a Student Mentor available for drop-in queries from 10am-2pm Mon-Fri during term time.
  • Attend one-to-one appointments with student mentors, academic skills and maths & stats tutors, and librarians.
  • Attend the weekly Library Lunchtime Learning workshops on:
    • Study skills - how to approach, research, structure and write your assignments, exam revision, time management and more
    • Maths & Stats - from basic maths to how to use Excel, SPSS, Minitab or R Studio
  • Browse our curated collection of study skills and well-being resources which is housed in the Knowledge Cafe and available for you to borrow anytime.

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.

Available Facilities

  • Interactive whiteboard
  • Group tables and chairs
  • Study skills and well-being collection

Make sure to visit the Knowledge Café the next time you're in Boots Library and take advantage of the free support and space available there!

How would you like to study?

There are various zones in the libraries to provide a choice of study environments to suit your needs.

Green (Group study) zone: Discuss, collaborate, study with others

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.

Amber (Quiet study) zone: Study with quiet conversations

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.

Red (Silent study) zone: Turn off from distractions and work in silence

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.

Our expectations

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.

Freeing up study spaces

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 Extended Library Study Lounges across the City and Clifton campuses. Supported by the Library, the lounges provide study and IT facilities.

See all opening hours

Extended Library Study Lounges on City campus

Study facilities in Extended Library Study Lounges on City Campus
RoomFacilities
Dryden - level 0
  • PCs and Macs
  • Multi-Functional Printer
  • Laptop and MacBook self-service loans
Newton Gallery - Area 1
  • PCs and Macs
  • Multi-Functional Printer
  • Laptop and MacBook self-service loans
Newton Gallery - Area 2
  • PCs
  • Laptop and MacBook self-service loans
Chaucer 17049 PCs
Chaucer 3801*24 PCs, including group work tables
Chaucer 360820 PCs
Goldsmith Study Lounge
  • PCs and Macs
  • Multi-Functional Printer
  • Group Study tables

Other study areas on City campus

Study facilities in other areas on City campus
RoomFacilities
Belgrave - Café Belgrave (level 1)*Cafe
*Casual seating/tables
*Electrical power points
*Group tables
*Individual study spaces
*22 PCs
*Refreshments vending
*70 - 80 study spaces
Djanogly International Centre (DICe) - lower ground floor*Group tables
*Electrical power points
*Individual study spaces
*PCs
*Printer
*Printer colour
*Refreshments vending nearby
*20 - 30 study spaces
Waverley - Ground floor*Casual seating/tables
*Electrical power points
*Group tables
*Printer
*Refreshments vending
*30 - 40 study spaces

Extended Library Study Lounges on Clifton campus

Study Facilities  in Clifton campus Extended Library Study Lounges
RoomFacilities
New Hall Block 08722 PCs and 10 Macs
New Hall Block 09214 PCs

Other study areas on Clifton campus

Study facilities in other areas on Clifton campus
RoomFacility
Pavilion - ground floor*Cafe
*Casual seating/tables
*Electrical power points
*Group tables
*Group tables with PCs/big screen
*Individual study spaces
*Laptop unit
*100 Study spaces
Pavilion - first floor*Casual seating/tables
*Group tables
*Group tables with PCs/big screen
*50 - 60 study spaces
Erasmus Darwin - Café Darwin (ground floor)*Café
*Casual seating/tables
*Group tables
*Individual study spaces
*PCs
*40 - 50 study spaces
Erasmus Darwin - Green Zone 207*Casual seating/tables
*Electrical power points
*Group tables
*Group tables with PCs/big screen
*Individual study spaces
*Printer
*30 - 35 study spaces
Ada Byron King - Outside 106 Resource Room
  • Casual seating/tables
  • Group tables
  • Printer

10 - 20 study spaces

Ada Byron King - 1st floor - Coffee Bar*Casual seating/tables
*Refreshments vending
*12 study spaces

Taught Postgraduate areas

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.

Still need help?

+44 (0)115 941 8418