Most library spaces and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis and don't need to be booked in advance.
You can use any space in the library as long as you behave appropriately. Please treat staff and other students with respect, follow instructions when asked, and clean up your workspace when you leave.
We have three different noise zones so you can choose the best environment for your study:
Our Learning Zones can be found:
Learning Zones are areas where our noise policy is most relaxed. However, it is still a place of study, so you should not make noise that will disturb others using the space. Please only talk as loudly as necessary, and wear headphones when playing media or when participating in an online class.
Learning Zones are perfect for:
Our Quiet Zones can be found:
Quiet Zones have stricter noise rules than Learning Zones. You should keep noise to a minimum. You can talk, but keep conversations quiet.
Use headphones for listening to media. Don't talk on your phone or join online classes if you need to speak.
Library staff will monitor noise levels more closely in Quiet Zones to maintain a calm environment. If we ask you to move to a different zone, please understand it's to keep the area quiet.
The Quiet Zone is great for:
Our Silent Zones can be found:
Silent Zones are for silent study only. You must not talk, even when browsing the shelves. Use headphones for media on your devices, and make sure they don't disturb others. Avoid eating noisy foods or rustling packaging.
Library staff will closely monitor noise levels in Silent Zones. Please respect others' need for silence and move to a Quiet Zone or Learning Zone if you need to talk.
Silent Zones are ideal for:
We have group study spaces, which you can book for up to 3 hours at a time. You can book spaces up to two weeks in advance.
Our Book a Study Space page guides you through the booking process. You can also see examples of the spaces available and read our full terms and conditions for this service.
The pods and meeting rooms are not soundproof. Please talk quietly and avoid disturbing others nearby.
You can eat and drink in the library, but no hot food. Please be considerate of others and clean up your litter when you're done.
There's a Starbucks cafe outside the library in St Chad's Atrium. You'll also find vending machines, a Costa machine, and water fountains around campus.
There are four single-stall gender neutral toilets available in the library:
There are computers on levels 0, 1 and 2 of the Library that you can use, subject to availability.
We also have docking stations, so that you can connect your mobile device to a screen and keyboard/mouse.
You will need your IT Services username and password to log on.
We also have loanable laptops that you can borrow from the cabinet on Level 1 that you can use on campus for up to 4 hours.
Computers are managed by IT Services: email itservicedesk@newman.ac.uk or phone them on 0121 483 2293. You can also visit the IT Service Desk during staffed hours. For more information, check their page on the University Self-Service Portal.
All of the Library is a Wi-Fi zone where Birmingham Newman staff and students can connect laptops, tablets, phones and other wireless devices to the University’s internet.
You will need to connect to Eduroam. If you are having difficulty after following the guide at the link, please visit the IT Service Desk for further help.
Wi-Fi is managed by IT Services: email itservicedesk@newman.ac.uk or phone them on 0121 483 2293. You can also visit the IT Service Desk during staffed hours. For more information, check their page on the University Self-Service Portal.
The printers in the Library are on the same network as other printers on campus. They are multi-function devices that also allow you to photocopy and scan documents.
Scanning documents is free of charge.
The IT Services online guides give more information about how to use the Print Stations.
You pay for printing and copying with an account linked to your IT Services network account. You can add credit to your account online via the IT eStore. Printer credits are managed by IT services. Library staff will not be able to help you with enquiries related to printer credits. You will need to speak to IT services in all instances.
Photocopying and printing is managed by IT Services: email itservicedesk@newman.ac.uk or phone them on 0121 483 2293. You can also visit the IT Service Desk during staffed hours. For more information, check their page on the University Self-Service Portal.
Last reviewed: 16 January 2025
