About us

The Kings Norton Library is open 24/7 so our staff and students can access our print stock and study at the times that are best for them. Please read our advice before you visit.

Members of the public and students from other universities should read our information for visitors.

Need help?

We have friendly, knowledgeable Library staff. Please speak to someone at the Welcome Desk and they will be happy to help you. We are available Monday to Thursday, 9am-5pm and Friday, 9am-4.30pm. You can also use our online chat facility 5-8pm Monday to Thursday if you need help in the evening.

Study spaces

There is no need to book – just find an available seat. We are unable to offer University PCs, so you will need to bring your own device to use our online resources and to print. 

We have created red, amber and green noise zones in the building so please work in the area of the library that most suits your needs:

• Silent study areas (red zone): The top floor and the reports and archive areas of the ground floor (accessible via the back staircases)
• Quiet study area (amber zone): The first floor 
• Group and collaborative working (green zone): The PC Hub and Library atrium

View a map of the building, including our zoning policy

Please speak to a member of staff if you are being disturbed by other students in quiet or silent study areas of the Library. If you would like to be more discreet, you can email us your location to library@cranfield.ac.uk during staffed hours and we will come and investigate. If you are experiencing low-level noise rather than being disturbed by specific individuals, we can also give you some free earplugs that may help you concentrate.

See also: Where else can I study on Cranfield campus?

Using group study rooms

Up to eight students can study together in one of our rooms. Room 4 is on the first floor. Rooms 5 and 6 are on the second floor. They are available for use 24/7. Book a study room

Advice for evening, overnight and weekend working

• You will need your University ID card to use the Library outside core working hours. For security, the main doors are locked and you must use the swipe card system on the lobby door to enter and leave the building. (The lobby is to the right of the main doors.) Never lend your card to anyone else or hold the door open for someone you don’t know. 
• Although the Library is open 24/7, please take regular breaks and go home to get enough sleep. Sleeping in the Library is not permitted and Security staff will ask you to leave. When the Library is quiet, you might feel more comfortable working in the PC Hub with other students nearby.
• Please report any problems to the University Security guards who patrol the building. If there is an emergency, please contact them directly by calling extension 2222 from a library telephone on the first floor.

Printing and scanning

We have printers on all three floors. There are two A3 printers, one on the first floor and one in the PC Hub on the ground floor. You will need to bring your own device to print; it is not possible to print from mobile phones or USB sticks.

Charging equipment

We have a charging station in the PC Hub on the ground floor if you need it!

Borrowing stock

You must use a self-service kiosk on the first floor to borrow or return books or other printed items. You will need your University ID card, which is also your Library card. Please do not remove stock from the building if it sets off the security gate alarm, or if the kiosks have a fault.

Find out more about your library account and our postal and scanning services.

Taking a break

There are vending machines and toilets on the ground floor, in the main atrium. Please do not bring hot food into the building. Hot and cold drinks, and cold snacks, are allowed.

Lost property

Lost property is collected and stored at the Welcome Desk on the first floor.