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Sheffield: Best library services in the country?

By Rachel Blundy
Published: 22/01/2010

The University's 24-hour library, the Information Commons (IC), is once again experiencing problems with overcrowding, despite a recent nationwide survey which put its library facilities as the best in the country.

Since Monday, January 11, traffic in the IC has been steadily rising, reaching a peak of 6795 visits on Monday, January 18.

Signs advising people to work in other parts of the University have been used to divert students away from the 24-hour library.

The University says that refurbishment on the Western Bank Library is near completion and that any remaining building work is being suspended until the end of the exam period to avoid disruption to students.

Third year Journalism student, Imogen Child, said she can no longer work in the IC because the silent areas are full and other areas are simply too busy.

She said: "I had to leave and go to Western Bank library. It is not the sort of atmosphere that you can concentrate in, it's just stressful to be there."

A spokesperson from the University of Sheffield said: "The Information Commons (IC) has been full at certain times over the last few days, as students revise for exams.

"Staff in the IC have taken steps to maximise occupancy, including removing belongings from unoccupied study desks. To save students’ time, staff have also indicated the range of alternative study facilities available, including other sites of the University Library and other CiCS IT rooms.

"This has been done in a number of ways, including displaying messages on the plasma display screens in the building, a static sign on Level 0 when there is no remaining capacity, and updates on Twitter. Students should follow @shefinfocommons for updates on the IC, along with @UniSheffieldLib for the University Library and @cics for CICS updates. Students can also find PC availability online and via campusM."

Education Officer Holly Taylor added that she believes the IC is no busier than it was this time last year.

She advised students to be considerate of others and reminded those revising for exams to remain quiet in silent study areas.

But in the survey by Times Higher Education (THE) published last week, Paul White, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Learning and Teaching, claimed that the University’s highly rated library facilities was partly due to the popularity of the IC.

He said: "It is not a conventional library. We found that students want to work with a book open but with Google running at the same time. It is a place where many different sources of information can be brought together, and it is collaborative - students can work together.

"It literally is open 24-7, 365 days a year. Last year, we had about 40 students in there on Christmas Day."

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