Using the Library
Where to study?
The library provides different spaces for different types of study
Try the quiet study space for reading and group space for discussing ideas with friends. Experiment with quiet or lively spaces when writing up your thoughts- which area suits you best? Think of the place you feel the least distracted and use that area when you need to focus.
Group study: great for working together
- Video/audio clips/mobiles must be inaudible to others
- Cold snacks only permitted in designated group areas
- Hot and cold drinks are permitted provided they are in spill-proof containers, cartons, cans or bottles
Quiet study: for quiet conversation
- Switch your mobile to silent/vibrate
- Music/audio clips/mobiles must be inaudible to others
- No food is permitted in this area
- Hot and cold drinks are permitted provided they are in spill-proof containers, cartons, cans or bottles
Silent study: shhh, no talking!
- No mobile phone conversations
- Music/audio clips/mobiles must be inaudible to others
- No food is permitted in this area
- Hot and cold drinks are permitted provided they are in spill-proof containers, cartons, cans or bottles
Aldgate Library
Open access study rooms - Aldgate Library
- 1 viewing room on the ground floor with DVD and Blu-ray players
- 3 study rooms on the ground floor (Wi-Fi)
- 4 study rooms with collaborative desks on the 1st floor
Specialised study rooms
Photography at Aldgate Library:
- Please book via the library information desk
- You will need to bring your own camera.
- The bookings are for periods of up to 2 hours.
- Contains table-tops for small 3-D and 2-D objects and a tripod.
Doctoral research room
A dedicated study room for doctoral research students and staff.
CM1-25 - first floor of Aldgate Library - access is via your ID card.
Library Services food and drink policy
London Met Libraries want you to feel comfortable while pursuing your studies in our buildings. We recognise that sometimes food and drink play a role in studying and learning. However, food and drink can also damage library material, equipment and furnishings, and it may disturb other library users.
The following policy is intended to balance the needs of the library with the convenience of our users.
Hot or smelly food is allowed in Cafe spaces, but not anywhere else in the library
- Hot food tends to be messy. Oils, sauces, etc, can damage library property.
- Hot food tends to produce odours that disturb others.
- Full meals tend to produce more rubbish.
- Food debris may damage library property and may attract rodents and insects.
- A cafe atmosphere is not conducive to study and learning.
Cold snacks only in designated areas:
- Aldgate Library – Ground floor and first floor lounge areas.
- Holloway Road Library – Ground and Mezzanine Group Zones and the Learning Centre foyers on the first floor.
At Holloway Road, a variety of food may be consumed in the Library Café on the ground floor.
Hot and cold drinks are permitted provided they are in spill-proof containers, cartons, cans or bottles.
Alcohol cannot be consumed in any of the library buildings.
All users must help to preserve a clean and tidy study environment by disposing of their waste once they have finished their snack. Staff are authorised to insist that a student clears their desk of rubbish.
Anyone with hot food or any cold food that causes a smell or mess will be asked to take it out of the Library.
No food or drink including water is permitted in the Special Collections Reading Room. Lockers are provided.
Holloway Library
Open access study rooms - Holloway Road Library
- LCG-19 - ground floor shared group study room with collaborative IT enabled desks
- LCM-18 - mezzanine floor silent room with 12 PCs
Bookable group study rooms - Holloway Road Library
There are four rooms available at Holloway Road on the ground floor. Study Rooms 3 and 4 have a display monitor but you need to bring your own laptop or borrow one from the laptop lockers on the ground floor at the entrance to the cafe area.
How do I book a Library Study Room at Holloway Road?
- Head to the Study room Holloway Road (for groups only) page.
- Click 'Book item'.
- Log into your library account by entering your university username/password at the login prompt.
- Select the day and time you would like to book a room.
- Click 'Submit'.
- Choose the room number you would like by clicking on the mark column (only those available will appear).
- Click 'Submit' and wait a few seconds.
- If successful a booking confirmation will appear.
- Click 'Ok'.
Booking rules:
- Study rooms are for use by students meeting in-person in groups of 3 or more.
- You can only have 1 booking at a time.
- Booking slots are for 2 hours maximum.
- The person who made the booking must collect a key fob from the library information desk within 15 minutes of booking start time, or the booking will be cancelled.
- Please return the key/fob on time at the end of the booking otherwise fines may apply.
- Overdue charges will apply if the booking time slot overruns and the key is returned late to the information desk.
- All key/fobs need to be returned by 6.45pm Monday to Friday.
- Bookings are not possible after 7pm during the week or on weekends but rooms can still be used until closing time.
- Study rooms are available for first-come use by students when not booked by a group. Please be prepared to give up the space if a booking is made.
Legal Practice Collection (LPC) resources room
This reference-only collection of practitioner resources is located on the first floor of Holloway Library (LC1-32).
It is exclusively for the use of students enrolled on the Legal Practice course. Access is via your ID card.
Doctoral research room
A dedicated study room for doctoral research students and staff.
LC1-31 - first floor of Holloway Library - access is via your ID card.