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Library spaces and etiquette

Whether you’re buckling down in the quiet zone, doing group work or refuelling with a coffee, there is a place for you in the Library.

It’s important to remember that the Library is everyone’s shared study space. Help everyone get the most out of the Library by practicing good library etiquette and always being considerate of others.

Food and drink

While you’re free to have non-alcoholic drinks and food in our libraries, please remember to always throw out your rubbish in the bins provided and leave the area clean.

While you’re studying, you can take a break, reheat your food or grab a snack in the student kitchens in some of our libraries. Please keep all hot foods in the student kitchen areas, as they can’t be eaten in other parts of the libraries. You can enjoy food delivery or takeaway outside our libraries, and the USU provides dining services and seating across the University for you to use.

Food and drink is not allowed near computers or electrical equipment in the Library. This is to avoid spillages which can cause damage to computers and equipment.

For more information, please check our governance policy.

Silent Zones

Silent

Silent zones are your place to buckle down and get work done, disturbance-free. You will find these zones marked with the blue and white 'Silent' banners. These are for silent individual study only. When studying in the Silent zone, be considerate of other users of the space, by:

  • Keeping talk at a low volume
  • Keeping phones on silent and not having phone conversations
  • Being mindful not to disturb others

If someone is making noise and disturbing you in the Library, feel free to respectfully let them know. They may be unaware of the impact they're having.

If a persistent noise or issue is disturbing your study please let us know.

If you need to chat with friends, go to the unmarked areas anywhere else in the Library.

Booking study spaces & group study rooms

Outside of Silent zones, there are any number of spaces for you to work in a group or with friends. You can also book a desk or study room to make sure you get just the right spot for you.

Students and staff can book a group study room for up to two hours a day. If you’re more than 15 minutes late, someone else can use the room. Multimedia rooms can be booked for up to three hours.

Computers

All Library spaces have computers that can be logged into using your UniKey. If you do not require a computer please use a study desk instead so you do not inconvenience others who do require access to a computer.

All student computers in our Libraries will log-out after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Your belongings and safety

In all study spaces, you should make sure that your valuable belongings are not left unattended. If you have left something behind, or if you’re not feeling safe in our spaces, see our friendly Library or Security staff.

Break up your study sessions

It can be hard to concentrate for over an hour and be productive. When studying, remember to take regular breaks to refresh and re-energise. You’ll return being able to study more effectively.

If you’re taking a break for less than 30 mins you can use a BRB card so you don't lose your desk. Simply grab a BRB card from our information desks, write the time you leave for your break & pop it on the desk, so everyone knows when you’ll be returning and remember to always take your valuables with you.

If your belongings are left unattended and you haven’t returned within 30 mins, other students can carefully move your belongings to the side so they can use the desk.

Smoking

Smoking is banned on all University of Sydney campuses, except for within designated smoking areas.

You can find the closest designated smoking area to you on the University Campus Maps by selecting ‘smoking areas’ under 'amenities'.

For a full list of facilities by site, see our Library facilities page.

For more information about how we deliver our services, our expectations of client behaviour along with measures on how we will meet our service standards, please read our Customer Service Charter.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have died.

The University of Sydney Library acknowledges that its facilities sit on the ancestral lands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have for thousands of generations exchanged knowledge for the benefit of all. Learn more