Reading Rooms and Study Spaces

The Library has four floors available for study and a combined total of 539 seats with most floors and Library spaces accessible by the Library lift on the 4th floor. 

On the 4th floor, the Goldsmiths reading room, Middlesex South and Middlesex North offer spacious study areas with original 1930s architecture and furniture. The North reading room is a relaxed area with comfortable chairs and sofas. Modern study spaces are located on floors 5, 6 and 7 within the collections. Most desks have plug sockets and individual lights. 

Hot or cold drinks in closed containers may be brought into the Library. Cold food and snacks are allowed in the ‘food and drink’ area on the 4th floor. 

The Special Collections reading room holds the palaeography and book studies material and has spaces for consulting Special Collections and archive material. Items and desk space must be booked in advance. 

No food or drink, including bottled water, is permitted in this reading room. Coats and bags should be placed in the lockers provided and only pencils are allowed. This is to protect the items.

As a member of Senate House Library you have access to BLOOM@Senate House, a unique area on the lower ground floor for individual study and collaborative working with a variety of comfortable breakout spaces and a café which make it easy to socialise, study together and share ideas.

Bloom@Senate House is open Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 18:00

The Library has three group study rooms available for Library members with a capacity of 6-10 people. They are located in the South Reading room on the 5th floor. The spaces are for working collaboratively in person or online and are not to be used for individual study or meetings. Rooms are to be booked in advance and are available for three-hour slots. 

Click here to book your room.

The accessibility suite is a bookable room for Library members with a disability or dyslexia and for members who have an assistant. The room is fully accessible by lift to the 6th floor and has two electronically height adjustable tables with orthopaedic chairs, large screens and workstations. 

Study carrels are located within Goldsmiths, Middlesex South and Middlesex North reading rooms. Carrels can be booked by Library members for a weekly fee of £17.50 in term time or £15.00 in vacation time. Carrels have a desk, seating and shelving for private study. 

Click here to book a study carrel.

The room is a space for individual reflection or prayer and may be found at the top of the main Library staircase on the 6th floor, South. The room has a window overlooking Russell Square and two chairs. No booking is required, but please respect other users when using this room.  

If you have any feedback or a suggestion on how we can improve this space, please email senatehouselibrary@london.ac.uk.