74 STUDYING
THE LIBRARY
LSE’s Library – to some, it’s the jewel
Once you have registered and have your
the staircases are way too narrow, with
in the crown. To others, it is a place of
LSE ID card track down a couple of books
the steps too far apart, making it hard to
academic revelations. But to many, it is a
on a reading list just for practice. Most stu-
walk up or down without looking like a
big, beautiful place where you get fined
dents rarely feel the need to go outside
one-legged pirate. Even the Wikipedia
a lot of money for hiring books you never
of the Library for undergraduate reading.
article about LSE mentions students’ an-
read. But, without a doubt, LSE’s Library
noyance at this fact!
is an unique and amazing resource. And
THE BASICS
it’s not just any old library – it’s only the
To get into the Library, you use your LSE
There are, of course, lifts. In the past, these
world’s largest social sciences library to
ID Card to swipe through the turnstiles.
haven’t worked terribly well, but they
boot!
There are over 450 computer worksta-
have recently been replaced and should
tions in the Library, as well as over 200
be fine from now on. For many, this is a
The British Library Of Political and Eco-
laptop points. As with all of LSE cam-
shame, as the malfunctioning voice in
nomic Sciences (as it is otherwise known)
pus, the Library is covered by wireless
one of the lifts is quite amusing.
is in fact effectively two libraries in one,
internet. In Michaelmas Term (first term),
the Course Collection and the Main
there will be an Information Point near
OPENING TIMES
Collection. The Course Collection is the
the entrance where you can get an
Michaelmas Term
smaller but the more useful of the two
audio tour of the library (also available
Monday - Sunday, 8am - midnight.
as it houses multiple copies of the core
online as a podcast). There are numer-
Christmas & Summer vacations
reading texts along with other books
ous guidebooks available, especially the
Monday - Friday, 9am-8pm
on the reading lists. The different floors
Student Library Guide and the Floorplan
Saturday - Sunday, 10am-8pm
can be accessed by a lift or architect
and Location Tips guide.
Lent Term, Easter vacation and Summer Term
Norman Foster’s famous staircase which is unique and nothing like the circular
It may not be the world’s most pressing
staircase in the Reichstag in Berlin.
injustice, but many LSE students think that
Monday –Sunday, 24 hours