Study rooms in London

[mrleiter]

Fellow LLers,

as I will be in London this August attending summer university I am asking whether you know or can recommend any study rooms or libraries in particular? As I will have a student ID from the LSE, non-public libraries shall be no problem to access.

I am asking because the library at the LSE is too modern for my taste. I am rather looking for something along the lines of the good old Bod or the BNL, minus the "overcrowdedness". I somehow have the feeling that you might just know a spot or two

Kind regards,

mrleiter

[Concordia]

If you can swing an introduction, there is The London Library.

[Melcombe]

If you are willing to make diplomatic approaches, there are lots of professional institutions with lovely libraries -

- The Inns of Court each have beautiful libraries (Lincolns Inn is the best, IMHO - Inner Temple is also very nice)

- The Law Society on Chancery Lane

- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (near Parliament Square)

- The Geological Society of London (Piccadilly)

- The Royal College of Surgeons (Lincolns Inn Fields) - Actually most of the medical colleges seem to have libraries

The Royal Overseas League (near Jermyn St) has some super day rooms - if youre not a member it's worth considering if only for brilliant accommodation at very modest prices.

Im sure there are many more.

(Edit - Have just been reminded that none of these are actually public or necessarily available to students, but if you have a professional connection through the law or medicine, then they are likely to be sympathetic. Their relative exclusivity should (should!) engender a bit of peace & quiet.

Also, since online resources seem to have replaced most hardcopy professional manuals and texts (especially in the law), such libraries seem destined to be decommissioned at some point shortly. Enjoy them while you may.

[hectorm]

since online resources seem to have replaced most hardcopy professional manuals and texts (especially in the law), such libraries seem destined to be decommissioned

Sadly, very true.
Just look what happened to the beautiful Old Westminster Library on Great Smith St. The building now hosts an upscale Indian restaurant and is rented out for weddings.

[mrleiter]

Dear all,

thank you for your suggestions, they are dearly appreciated!

Kind regards,

mrleiter