VLSB: Marian Koshland Bioscience and Natural Resources Library

If Unilocal existed back when I was a college student (shut up, I know I’m old), then I would be have been the Duchess here 100 times over. Why you ask? VLSB is just one of those places that felt like a second home to me during college and probably because I spent a majority of my days there for bio lecture, labs, library time or just hanging out with my friend, Mr. Dinosaur. It’s a central location on campus great for meeting up with classmates and I’m sure they’ve renovated the library since then but I used to love sleeping, I mean studying on those comfy armchairs near the journal section or way in the back on the first floor. Good times, good times.
Recently my friends and I did a Berkeley self guided food tour and being that 3 out of 4 of us graduated from Cal, this was a must stop. I always feel so nostalgic coming here and seeing my dear old friend, the Dinosaur. Next time, I’m gonna pack a bag lunch and reenact my days from college sitting in front of the library and people watch. BTW, Arnold Schwartznegger filmed part of the movie, Junior here, but you all know that already, right?

I wish I could give this place two separate reviews, unfortunately I can’t; therefore, you get the three stars.
First review: Five stars for the VLSB library. It’s my go to study place. Super quiet and everyone is extremely studious. Love it.
Second review: –5 stars for the GIRLS’ Restroom. Seriously, it’s the most disgusting restroom I’ve used on campus — and I’ve used a lot. It always smells like poo and/​or pee. people seem not to no where to aim when they pee, thus there’s pee on the floor constantly. Often there’s no toilet paper. it seems that girls leave random scraps of toilet paper on the ground for other girls to use. if you dare. (Also, if there’s no toilet paper left, people often use the seat covers — which are usually empty as well.)
Not sure what the cause for this is. lack of maintenance by the cleaners or reckless students pissing all over the place. but yeah, I dread using those toilets every time I study in the VLSB.

Sleep inducing library. Cool computer room to do work. Comfortable chairs and spacious cubicles to do work. I wished there were bathrooms inside this library though. I drink a lot of liquids. Hate having to go downstairs and take all my stuff every time.

My favorite library on campus! While I can’t attest to how it will be during finals week, the VLSB library has always had an empty cubicle or couch when I need it. It’s pretty cool to study surrounded by decades of scientific research. Plus there’s a triceratops!

Best library on campus.
Don’t buy your science textbooks — just get them on reserve here. The only problem is you have to study early on, because the books are very popular around midterms.
The t-​rex outside is pretty awesome.

Hands down, my FAVORITE library at UC Berkeley. It’s always nice and quiet, and it’s filled with research material, computers, and a relatively okay amount of study space. I say relatively okay because there are many libraries at Cal with more space, but you feel suffocated when there are so many other people there… VLSB Bioscience Library has more of a comfy feeling to it.
I might be a bit biased because I was an Integrative Biology major, but the collection of texts available here and general helpfulness of the staff made research papers and projects bearable. Also, the armchairs on the first floor are comfortable (definitely slept in them my sophomore year between classes), and there are group spots available too. My favorite place to study are at the back of the library, facing the window, since it feels semi-​open, but private at the same time.
And what other library has three triceratops skulls in the front? Really… freaking awesome (this is the paleontologist inside me speaking) :P
And oh, I guess I should mention that the computer labs saved me many a time for printing out labs when I forgot to bring them to evolution class… whoops.

I like this place because there are many places to study at and plug in your stuff in an outlet. The size of the desk especially on the second floor come in handy as well. The only thing is that it is kind of farther since it is in VLSB but I go here if I have a class around there anyways.

Didn’t know VLSB library existed until I began studying with my SMD Pre-​Med Fraternity brothers.
This library always has plenty of room, be it circular table cubicles, long tables, individual cubicle on the 2^nd floor… Its not a big library but its cozy.
Even during finals you can always find a few spots open.
One of the really nice things is that they are lax about food. I’ve never seen anybody get written up like in Moffitt or Doe. There is also a Yali’s right outside in the courtyard, but it does close early.
The library usually closes at 10. It is well lit for those who like bright study spots. If you need to print things it also has full time computers to print form as well as a computer lab with macs for anything else you need to work on.