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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Halls - with a library

41 replies

fredaflapjack · 17/10/2022 16:26

Unusual request I know.

Do you know if any Universities that have a library within the Halls/Colleges? DC loves a library and anticipates spending quite a bit of time there.

So far we've got:
-various Oxbridge colleges
-various Durham colleges
-Aberdare Hall at Cardiff

We're really looking for insurance, so perhaps something more mid table? For example NTU Clifton is very close although not actually in the Halls.

Anyone got any bright ideas?

Thank you

OP posts:
RachelSq · 17/10/2022 16:32

Jumped on here to say Durham but see it’s not necessarily what you’re after if you’re looking for an insurance choice.

I will say that the range of books obviously isn’t always great (that’s what the main library is for!) but it’s sometimes a nice environment to study away from computers and around books.

AlwaysTheBabysitter · 17/10/2022 16:36

Lincoln Hall at Uni of Nottingham had a little library (with a piano!) when I was there, but that was a decade ago!
There was also a lovely hidden garden not too far away where I ended up doing most of my reading. 😊

asdasult · 17/10/2022 16:41

One of the Liverpool John moored halls are very near the library but I helpfully can't remember the name!

Celeryandhummus · 17/10/2022 17:11

Founders Hall Royal Holloway College, Uni of London.

VanCleefArpels · 17/10/2022 17:16

Why does it have to be in the same building? If this is the principle criteria then you may be limiting options. On Campus universities the library will typically be a shortish walk from the accommodation. Also even at Oxbridge they may not have the resources required for all subjects in College libraries so don’t be lured into a false sense of security. The UL was a v long bike ride from my Cambridge College!!

NotMyDayJob · 17/10/2022 17:18

The main colleges at Kent are in very close proximity to a central library and I think the college's themselves may have a small library although I'm not sure if this is still the case.

Newgirls · 17/10/2022 17:18

Not mid table but St. Andrews has amazing halls with libraries and common rooms in them

FamilyTreeBuilder · 17/10/2022 17:20

Agree my immediate thought was a campus university where the accommodation and facilities are very close by. Strathclyde's library is across the road from some of the student flats, Stirling's library just across the bridge.

VanCleefArpels · 17/10/2022 17:22

The new “colleges” (actually just Halls) at Kent do not have libraries but are a v short walk away from the award winning library building

mast0650 · 17/10/2022 17:23

Wouldn't lots of campus universities have libraries close to the accommodation? It doesn't have to be literally inside the hall of residence! Indeed, at an Oxford College, most students would need to go walk outdoors to reach the College library. My son has just started at Lancaster and his Bowland College accommodation is 1 min walk from the University library.

Colderthanever · 17/10/2022 17:24

does it need to be in the actual halls. Surely they can walk back and forward to the main library?

ErrolTheDragon · 17/10/2022 17:24

Is it necessarily a library she wants, or more a quiet working space which isn't her room? I don't offhand know of any but seems likely some such should exist.

fredaflapjack · 17/10/2022 17:30

Hi thank you all, lots of good suggestions to look at.

It's not essential, it's just something DC would prefer, but as ErroltheDragon says a quiet working space would probably do instead, or one in close proximity. What DC doesn't want us a schlep across town late at night...

OP posts:
dirtyfries · 17/10/2022 17:33

Another for Kent (Canterbury campus) huge
24hr library with lots of cosy spaces and most campus accommodation is minutes if not seconds walk away. (Just not Parkwood halls)

VanCleefArpels · 17/10/2022 17:39

fredaflapjack · 17/10/2022 17:30

Hi thank you all, lots of good suggestions to look at.

It's not essential, it's just something DC would prefer, but as ErroltheDragon says a quiet working space would probably do instead, or one in close proximity. What DC doesn't want us a schlep across town late at night...

They might find that any supposedly “quiet” space within a Hall may not be such on a Saturday night 🤪, sound proofing not being a priority in such buildings.

TowerblocksAndSunflowers · 17/10/2022 17:43

She'll only be in hall for first year, so is it really wise to make the decision on where she spends three years for this one aspect, for one year?

TowerblocksAndSunflowers · 17/10/2022 17:44

(Assuming DC is a she as Aberdare Hall is female only)

Xenia · 17/10/2022 17:48

I think I was shown round a library type study room at Wills Hall in Bristol where 2 of my children lived in year 1. www.bristol.ac.uk/accommodation/about/residences/wills-hall/

fredaflapjack · 17/10/2022 17:49

@TowerblocksAndSunflowers Grin yep female, and ideally would prefer all female accommodation (but that's not common nowdays!)

We'll worry about the second year once we've got the first out of the way!

OP posts:
Colderthanever · 17/10/2022 17:50

TowerblocksAndSunflowers · 17/10/2022 17:43

She'll only be in hall for first year, so is it really wise to make the decision on where she spends three years for this one aspect, for one year?

Agree and generally halls are close to the library . Also libraries at uni are always busy op , they are not quiet places. He or she needs to focus on the right uni right course right type of teaching, not the proximity of the library for the first year.

LIZS · 17/10/2022 17:51

No longer a library within Founders at RHUL, but just across the now pedestrianised area. Most modern halls in UK have break out

and quiet study areas.

Colderthanever · 17/10/2022 17:52

fredaflapjack · 17/10/2022 17:49

@TowerblocksAndSunflowers Grin yep female, and ideally would prefer all female accommodation (but that's not common nowdays!)

We'll worry about the second year once we've got the first out of the way!

You can request single sex accommodation in most unis, of course it’s very limited so she needs to act fast. A lot of student requests are based on religious reasons.

I really would urge her to change her approach and look at what’s right for all three years.

MEgirl · 17/10/2022 17:56

The Birmingham library is not far from the halls in Selly.

Cornishmumofone · 17/10/2022 18:13

It's <10 minute walk from the main library at University of Southampton to Glen Eyre halls.

Invisimamma · 17/10/2022 18:18

Seems strange to choose a uni based on this.

Pollock Halls at Edinburgh Uni had a small library, study space and computer lab as well as lots of common rooms and communal spaces where people would study. But you wouldn't be guaranteed a place in halls, you might get a shared flat, and it would only be for 1st year anyway.

The university main libraries are far better, open 24/7 and only a short walk away.