Library Space

Feedback Focus aims to explore your experiences of the library. Our focus in November 2025 was on the library's physical spaces.

A library at the heart of campus

  • The library is open 24/7 during term times
  • During 2024-5 we had 1,025,557 visitors to the building
  • We hosted over 360 events, with 3,455 registrations 
  • There are 47 bookable Group Study Spaces and 1,700 individual spaces across the library's three floors
  • 47,884 bookings of Group Study Spaces were made by 8,076 users during the 2024-5 academic year
Study area by the plant wall on A Floor
Collage of library spaces including the family room, the feelgood hub, study booths, postgrad room

The library has a range of different spaces, including:

- Group Study Rooms

- Leisure Reading Area 

- Postgraduate Study Room

- Family Room

- Comics & Graphic Novels Section

- FeelGood Hub

- Exhibition and Events Space

- Digital Studio

- Archive Research Centre

- Reading Room

- Children's Corner

Library Design Award trophy displayed by Lancaster University Library plant wall

Library Design Award 2025

In November 2025 we won the 2025 Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) Award for library spaces design! The award recognises the sustained impact and benefits provided by our library extension which was opened in 2021. Judges agreed that the space is a thoughtfully designed, versatile environment that offers an inspirational model due to its inclusive design and positive stakeholder feedback.

Read the news story.

What we asked you

We gathered feedback via a short online survey and a board displayed in the library building.

1. What’s a library space you wish you had known about sooner?
2. What do you look for when choosing a study space or what would put you off? (please specify which!)
3. What has been your experience of using library spaces? (any space, any experiences you want to share with us!)

What you told us

You wished you'd known about some spaces sooner:

What you look for in a space and what puts you off:

  • Most of you look for quieter spaces and are put off by spaces that are noisy or have lots of people around
  • Some of you prefer areas that don't require complete silence, and some like spaces where you can sit with friends
  • Some of you look for more secluded areas or desks with dividers. Large desk space is a priority for some of you
  • Comfortable seating and availability of power sockets are two priorities many of you share
  • Messy spaces put you off using them
  • Some respondents mentioned a preference for natural light while others like spaces with dimmer lighting or were put off by areas that are too bright

Your experience of the library was largely very positive, but top concerns were:

  • Busyness and difficulty in finding a study space at times, in particular being able to book group study spaces
  • Noise
Adjustable brightness library lamps
Adjustable brightness lamps

Did you know?

  • We have lamps with adjustable brightness levels available on desks around the library
  • You can use our noisy neighbours page to send a report to our staff if you are being disturbed while studying in the library. If you are unable to use this for any reason, you can send us an email and we will look into the disturbance for you
  • You can book group study rooms up to 2 weeks in advance using our online booking system

Remember:

  • If you are looking for a particular type of study space feel free to ask a member of staff!