Welcome to IALS Library! This self-guided tour will help you to become familiar with the layout of the library. It will also help you to learn about the resources and services that are available here.
The tour begins at the library entrance on the 2nd Floor.
Tap the 'next' arrow to begin the tour of the 2nd Floor.
The Library entrance is on the 2nd floor of the building. The first thing you will see when you arrive is the Admissions Desk.
At the Admissions Desk you can:
You always need to bring your library card to get access to the library. To enter the library, place your card face down on the barcode reader and the barrier will open for you.
For the next stop on the tour, enter the Library through the entrance gate and stop in front of the Enquiry Desk.
Tap the 'next' arrow for information about the Enquiry Desk.
Once you enter the library through the gate, the Enquiry Desk will be in front of you.
At the Enquiry Desk you can:
Staff are available at the Enquiry Desk between these hours:
The Short Loan collection is a collection of popular books kept behind the Enquiry Desk. The borrowing period for these books is shorter than for the rest of the collections. Speak to staff at the Enquiry Desk to borrow books from this collection.
For the next stop on the tour, look to the self issue machine (on the left of the Enquiry Desk).
Tap the 'next' arrow for information about the self issue machine.
You can use the self issue machine to borrow and return books.
To borrow or return books on the self issue machine:
1. Scan your library card
2. Tap Borrow or Return. Place the book(s) on the flat surface below the screen
3. Tap Finish. The machine will indicate whether the loan/return has been successful and give you the option to print a receipt
Post any returned books into the box on your left.
For the next stop on the tour, walk left and stop at the yellow lockers.
Tap the 'next' arrow for information about the laptop lockers.
Don't want to bring your laptop from home? You can borrow one of ours for use within the library!
All of the laptops can be used to browse the internet and they have Microsoft Office installed.
For instructions and more information see our guide Laptops for Loan.
For the next stop on the tour, walk left and stop at the library lift
Tap the 'next' arrow for information about the library lift.
The library lift operates inside the library only. It can take you to the reading rooms on 3rd, 4th and L2 floors. There are also stairs at either end of the 2nd floor.
To find out more about accessibility and moving through the library space, please visit our Disability support and accessibility guide.
On the wall beside the lift is a floor directory. Here you can see exactly what collections are on each floor of the library.
Just beyond the library lift is a water fountain.
Tap the 'next' arrow for information about the water fountain and about food and drink in the library.
Staying hydrated is important for studying! At the water fountain you can fill your bottles with chilled water.
In the library, only plain bottled water and drinks in sealed, reusable cups are allowed. No other hot or cold drinks or food are allowed to be consumed within the library. There is a comfortable seating area on the ground floor where you can enjoy food and drink.
For the next stop on the tour, move along a few paces and stop at the photocopiers.
Tap the 'next' arrow for information about the photocopiers, printers and scanners.
Each of these machines is a photocopier, printer and scanner all in one!
You will need to register a copying account on the Papercut system and add some credit before you can use these machines. For a guide to setting up your account, please see our guide to Printing, Copying and Scanning.
Here you will also see our ScanTent. Use the ScanTent to take high quality photos of books using your smartphone. Use of the ScanTent is free.
Opposite the photocopiers on the 2nd floor are the toilets. More toilets are available on the 3rd and 4th floors. All toilets throughout the library are gender-neutral and there is an accessible toilet on each floor.
For the next stop on the tour, turn around and look for room 201, one of our group study rooms.
Tap the 'next' arrow for information about room the group study rooms.
Room 201 is one of our group study rooms, and can be used by group of two to eight people. The other, room 210, is at the far end of the floor, beyond the Enquiry Desk, is for groups of two to seven people.
We also have a sound-proofed carrel which is in Room 203, which is for single use only.
You need to book these rooms to use them which you can do using the panel next to the door or via our online booking system.
For the next stop on the tour, turn to look at room 202, the Computer & Training Room.
Tap the 'next' arrow for more information about the Computer & Traning Room.
In the Computer and Training Room we hold regular training sessions. For a guide to the training on offer at IALS Library, see our Training Guide.
You are welcome to use the computers in this room any time that there is no training session taking place.
For the next stop on the tour, continue through the blue double doors beside the Computer & Training Room. You will see a staircase ahead of you.
On your left you will see Room 203 which is a bookable sound-proofed carrel. You can book this using our online room booking system.
The other small rooms beyond the stairs are called study carrels. You will see more of these on the 3rd and 4th floors. These lockable rooms have a desk, lamp, power socket and USB ports.
The carrels are available to rent at a rate of £20 per calendar week or part week.
If you want to rent a carrel speak to staff at the Admissions Desk, or email them at ials.libadmin@sas.ac.uk.
The tour continues on the 3rd floor. Head up the stairs in front of you, or go back to use the library lift.