Contrary to some of my friends who prefer to study elsewhere on campus, I believe that the LSE Library is a true treasure, and a place where much productive and effective work can be done in an enjoyable manner.
The library was one of the first things that made me fall in love with the university. I’m a fan of beautiful, timeless architecture and I was very impressed by the architectural feat that is the LSE Library. After all, how many of your friends can say that their library was designed by Norman Foster, the same man who designed Wembley Stadium and the Gherkin? Whenever I’m in the library I always feel very privileged to study in such a beautiful space. The glass lift that takes you to various floors within the building is beautiful and gives you a great panoramic view of the entire space, as well as being slow enough for you not to feel sick in the process. When you arrive at your chosen floor, there are many spaces for you to study in. Whether you like to study at a computer or on an empty desk, in a shared space or a booked private room, the library has it all.
If the beautiful set up of the library isn’t enough for you, then perhaps the huge collection of books is. The LSE Library is one of the most extensive libraries in the UK, especially for the social sciences which is a specialism. One of the many redeeming qualities which may seem arbitrary but should not be taken for granted, is that if for any reason you can’t find a required book online, you can almost always find it in person in the library. Librarians are also always keen to help, and will assist you in locating that book, and might even get a copy ordered for you. The library is one of the keys to making sure that you have everything you need for your courses. With over four million books, you can be guaranteed that you’ll find some material that’ll be relevant to the topic you’re interested in. What better way to make your degree count than having all the necessary materials to succeed?
Additionally, the LSE library is a space that can be utilised for both social and study purposes. While it is predominantly used for quiet or group study, there are many breakout spaces to also occupy. Sometimes studying for an exam or completing an assessment in time for a soon approaching deadline can be stressful. It’s helpful to know that you can pop out of that head space and quietly socialise with your friends in a soft seating area not too far away from where you’re working. I often find that this provides a welcome break from my studies and allows me to resume my work with more energy and motivation than before.
The structure of the library is great for people who like to work in different conditions too. There are dedicated silent zones for those who cannot have any noise around them in order to properly concentrate. In these places, people are often very respectful of other people’s desire to work in silence with no disruption. There are also spaces for people like me, who prefer to work with a low buzz of noise in the background. Group study rooms are conducive for people who enjoy talking to others in a less formal environment, or who don’t mind a small amount of noise while working.
The Library is such a fantastic place. With so many resources at your disposal, it’s a real jewel of LSE. Make sure you make the most of this study space and enjoy the many things it has to offer.
