Western Bank Library

Western Bank Library is a university library on Sheffield's campus that connects to the Arts Tower via a mezzanine-level bridge. The building forms a central hub of the complex, housing reading spaces and archive facilities across multiple floors.

The library opened in 1959 after a national design competition that received 99 architectural entries for the Western Bank Campus masterplan. T.S. Eliot attended the inauguration, marking the building's place in post-war development on the site.

The Exhibition Gallery displays collections from university archives that reflect academic work and research from across the institution. Marble-clad walls frame these rotating presentations, giving visitors a window into scholarly life on campus.

The library is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 7 PM and weekends from 10 AM to 6 PM. A mezzanine bridge connects directly to the Arts Tower, making it easy to navigate to other campus buildings.

The building earned Grade II* listed status in 1993 for its post-war modernist design featuring rectangular forms, stone facades, and expansive glass elements. This recognition celebrates a key example of functional design from that era.

Location: Sheffield

Official opening: 1959

Part of: Library and Arts Tower, University of Sheffield

GPS coordinates: 53.38264,-1.48805

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:48