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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

Computers

  • These are mostly on levels one and two. 
  • You can also bring your own mobile devices and use Eduroam the Wi-Fi network available for Birkbeck staff and students.

Printing, Photocopying, scanning

  • There are four printers (that print, copy, and scan) located on level one of the Library.
  • For further information on other printers, printing costs, charging your print credit, etc., consult ITS Printing web page.

Immersive Learning Centre for Birkbeck students and staff

  • To increase access to learning beyond the classroom by providing virtual learning experiences that would be too expensive or impossible to provide in the real world: virtual field visits, gallery and museum tours, immersive documentaries, simulations, games and more.
  • An Immersive Learning PC Lab and an Immersive Learning Studio are located on level one.
  • For further information see the Immersive Learning Centre