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Study spaces and facilities

Where can I study?

The Library has a variety of study spaces and facilities to support you. Check our online guide for practical information.

  • Accessible study areas

    • Based on level one, the Accessibility Centre is a study area for disabled students, where you can access adjustable furniture, task lights and scanners. 
    • Based on level three, there are two computers in the individual study area, where you can access adjustable desks.
      •  Booking: you don't need to book these spaces. 
    • If you need to use Dragon (speech-to-text software) or you are working with your student assistant/tutor, there are three Study Support Roomson level one.
      • Study Support Room C is near the Library helpdesk, Study Support Room A and Study Support Room B are next to the Accessibility Centre. 
      • Booking: you can book these rooms, for three hours a day.
      • Note: Bookings not taken up within 15 minutes of their start time will be cancelled, and the rooms made available for new bookings.
    • If you are working in a group then the group study pod one has an adjustable table - for more details and to book see the Group Study Pods entry below.
    • We have a lift and moving platform that gives access to all levels of the Library space

  • Group study area

    • Based on level one, this area is for groups to meet in and study or work together. The area includes whiteboards. 

  • Group study pods

    • We have three group study pods located in the group study area: 
      • Pod one seats four (has an adjustable table)
      • Pod two seats four
      • Pod three seats eight
    • Pods include display screens and you can borrow a display port, HDMI or VGA cables from the Library helpdesk on level one. Each pod has a video conferencing facility, allowing you to work simultaneously with your colleagues both at home and in the Library.
    • Booking: you need to book in advance. Only Birkbeck students can book the pods. You must use your Birkbeck email address to make a booking (updated 26/03/25)
      • You can book a 30-minute slot to a maximum of two hours per day (to a maximum of seven hours per week). 
      • The first booking is for 9am and the last booking is for 10.30pm. 
      • Please cancel your booking if you no longer need it. 
      • You can use an unbooked pod, but users with bookings take priority. 

  • Individual Study areas

    • We have areas for individual study throughout the Library, in particular, levels two, three and four and for silent study a new area on level two, entrance located near the moving platform lift.  

  • Phone Zone

    • If you need to make or take a phone call while in the Library, you should move to this area, which is near the toilets on level one. 

  • Silent study area

    • This is on level two, the entrance is located near the moving platform lift. 

Facilities