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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.

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 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 two hours a day.
    • Note: You need to log in within 15 minutes of your booking slot otherwise MYPC will release the slot for the next user to log in to the computer.
  • 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. 
  • Booking: you don't need to book this space. 

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 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

Computers

Printing, photocopying and scanning

  • Photocopiers are on level one, most are near the Training Room in the group study area. 
  • Our photocopiers can: 
    • make A4 and A3 copies in black and white and in colour 
    • make reduced or enlarged copies 
    • print in black and white or in colour
    • scan (this service is free, but you will need credit on your printing account. You can store scans on your USB.)
    • staple your printing, select this function before printing
  • Costs of copying/printing 
    • 5p per sheet for black and white A4 
    • 25p per sheet for colour A4 
    • 10p per sheet for black and white A3 
    • 50p per sheet for colour A3  
  • How to pay 
  • Logging in to the photocopiers 
    • You can log in using your Birkbeck ID card or by entering your Birkbeck username and password. 
    • Visitors should ask for a visitor account at the Library helpdesk on level one.
  • Wireless printing: you can print via your mobile device.
  • Further help: there are guides for printing, photocopying, scanning and stapling next to the photocopiers on level one. 

Self-service units for borrowing/returning items

  • You can use a self-service unit to borrow or return items. 
  • There are self-service units on the ground floor (borrowing and returning) and the first floor near the helpdesk (borrowing only).