Library Spaces

Space to suit all learning styles

The Drill Hall Library provides a range of different areas to suit all learning styles. If you want to work alone, in a group, in silence or whilst you are having your lunch, you will find the ideal location for this. Wireless is available in each zone, together with fixed computers and netbooks.

We provide a great range of space and facilities to suit everyone. However we do ask you to respect the different spaces and your fellow students by working appropriately in each area. If you need any help please visit one of our help points. Alternatively roaming library staff are available throughout the library to help students wherever they are working, and to help preserve a safe learning environment for all our users.

Please remember that food should only be consumed within the Archibald Hay Mess café and that only drinks with screw tops are allowed in the main library area.

Study Zones

• The library is divided into distinct zones.

  

  

  We ask that you respect the guidelines for each zone. Occasionally we may suggest you move to a different zone if the nature of your study doesn't suit the area you have chosen.

  Silent Zone – Red

  Please use this area if you wish to work alone in complete silence. Located at the far end of the library towards the Pilkington building you will find a range of traditional computer desks and study carrels. The mezzanine area above is also part of this zone. You may not use your mobile phone in this area.

  

  

  Quiet Zone – Yellow

  The middle section of the library is reserved for quiet work. You may work individually or quietly in pairs. Again there is a range of seating in this area. Short, quiet mobile phone conversations are permitted in this area.

  

  

  Group Zone – Green

  This is the liveliest area of the library and includes our cafe; the Archibald Hay Mess and a comfortable seating area popular with those who wish to read the daily newspapers or relax with one of our netbooks. You may work in larger groups here though you may prefer to take advantage of some of our group study rooms.

  Remember, if you want to practice a presentation or work as a larger group you can book one of our Practice Presentation rooms at the reception desk.

  

  

The Archibald Hay Mess cafe

• Named after the youngest victim of the 1917 bombing of the Drill Hall, the Archibald Hay Mess is our popular cafe area. Here you can relax with a cup of coffee or select from a range of sandwiches, salads and cakes. There are also vending machines for use when the cafe is unmanned. Particularly useful are our techno booths where you can work as a group around a large screen. Alternatively there are lots of individual and group tables where you can relax or continue to work. Students are welcome to take library resources, including books and netbooks in to the cafe.

  Food and drink is served from 10.30am until 7.30pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 5.30pm on Friday. Outside of the catering hours the area is still open and hot/cold drinks and snacks are available from the vending machines.

  Although bottled drinks are allowed in the library, students are requested not to eat or take hot drinks and cans outside the Archibald Hay Mess. There is no obligation to purchase food and drink from the cafe, and we are happy for you to bring your own food and drink in to the library so long as it is consumed within the cafe area.

Specialist Study Rooms

• Block A

  At the far left of the building, there are two practice presentation rooms that are bookable from our reception desk.

  You can access these rooms from the side of the Drill Hall building across from the Pilkington, as access to and from the library itself is restricted.

  Block C

  At the far right of the building, off the Group Zone, there are three further rooms all recently refurbished with a range of new furniture and facilities.

  Room DC118 now has twenty individual study carrels; sixteen of them with PCs. During exam periods we may convert these to Silent Study space if required.

  Room DC105 (first floor) and DC019 (ground floor) have been equipped with a range of furniture to promote flexible group working. Each room has three large plectrum tables arranged in front of a wall mounted 42” screen with seating capacity for around 6-8 students. Additional ‘curve’ tables are available for arrangement as required. These rooms are ideal environments for working together in small groups.

  Additionally on the first floor, there are two large training rooms equipped with 24 computers. When they are not booked for training these rooms are available for general study.

Help Points

• Reception

  The main reception area at the entrance to the building is staffed at all times when the building is open. As well as monitoring entry to the building, our reception/security team will happily help with photocopier enquiries and problems with printing.

  Welcome Desk

  The Welcome Desk is situated in the foyer area and is your first point of call for general library enquiries. Staffed between the following hours:

  • Mo – Th 9am – 9pm
  • Fr 9am – 6pm
  • Sat/Sun 11am – 5pm

  Student Support Zone

  For specialist IT and Library enquiries visit our Student Support Zone, situated in the corridor running alongside the Group Zone. member of the IT team and Library team will be present between 9 am and 5 pm on Monday – Friday.

  IT staff are available to help with issues relating to your computer account, printing, wireless, MS Office and poster printing.

  Library staff are available to help with subject support, such as accessing online journals and databases.