Sydney Jones Library

Owing to the disappearance of books in my Steptoe’s yard of a house, over a decade ago, I’m not allowed to use real libraries. The Sydney Jones was therefore a wonderful oasis from this stain on my identity because for three years they let me borrow books like nobody’s business. Actually, that excludes the first month. I’d messed up the loan forms so couldn’t get a library card for four weeks. That made essays fun.
Anyway, once everything was sorted I quickly became an addict of this place. After realising I couldn’t work at home (it was a cathedral of distractions) I practically came a hobo in the library for the duration of my essays. Watching the pages print out at the end, surrounded by academics, was intensely satisfying. At least it was until I looked at the many many errors juddering out of the printer and shook the walls with my blasphemous outbursts. I miss university.

Having spent much of my degree time using the Harold Cohen Library, it was only in the last year or so, I began to use more of the Sydney Jones Library. Firstly, this was because the Sydney Jones wasn’t suited for my subject course and secondly it was located further away from my department. Nevertheless, I preferred the Sydney Jones to the Harold Cohen as it was more spacious and more recently renovated and expanded, now even hosting a café.
I liked their new computer suites in particular since there wasn’t that crammed feel about it compared to the Harold Cohen. Plus, there are comfy sofas available to sit back and relax during a stressful day, usually with a friend or two. I miss it now! Full marks for Sydney Jones; the expansion of the library is really impressive.

The sydney Jones is a fantastic resource for all of Liverpool’s Students. (Most University’s have reciprocal use agreements for their students).
It is packed with computers for research and there are photocopiers on most floors that charge a reasonable fee.
Were the sydney jones works best is the private study room. These vary in size from single person to groups of about 6 and allow you to revise or group work in a productive environment.
Be warned, come exam time these book up quick so get in early!

I spent the majority of my degree inside these walls, (or so I’d have my tutors believe) and although I loathed it, I did grow to feel affectionately towards it.
So, the facts…
It’s been recently refurbished and had a good £20 million spent on it!
There are seats for 600 readers and approx. 420 computers (not that you’d think it around exam time… good luck getting a PC unless you’re early, that’s all I’m saying!)
They have loads of bookable private study rooms so that you won’t be disturbed and a café downstairs to refuel and re-​energise with a coffee. The staff are really friendly and exceptionally helpful.
The special collections are amazing, have to use gloves to see the first editions and the have some real gems hidden away down there. The stacks down in the basement are rather scary I’m always scared that someone has followed me down and is going to wheel the shelves back together when I’m inside… luckily I’m still here!
It’s a great environment to study and they also have couches out in the more social and non-​silent areas so that you can have group discussions or just a well-​earned gossip with a mate!
There must be more books than anyone can read in a lifetime in here, but so many great critical works. Get in on the best library for the Arts Ever.*
*Possible exaggeration, but I love it! (Yes, I’m a bit of a geek.)