In this post we look at the different spaces available across all three sites (Sir Duncan Rice, Medical and Taylor) and remind students of the guidance we ask all visitors to follow concerning noise so that the libraries can operate as tranquil spaces for students to prepare for the imminent exams.

We ask all visitors of all our libraries to be considerate to all the other people also there, studying and focusing upon exam revision. Exams can be a time of stress so please think of your fellow students as you revise, and also while you move around the buildings. You may not be studying hard as you walk with friends out of the library, but remember that those people still sat in their seats are working and concentrating hard.

The Sir Duncan Rice Library

TSDRL was designed to create a library that would provide a range of spaces for different types of use, from completely silent to more informal group working areas. In general it gets quieter as you move up the floors, with floor 7 being the quietest, and it also noisiest nearest the lifts with it getting quieter as you move to the other side of the building

Here is a breakdown of the types of spaces available in The Sir Duncan Rice Library and the expectations on students using those spaces:

Silent study rooms – These can be found on floors 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and are located on the opposite side of the building from the lifts. Some floors have two silent study rooms. If you find yourself in a silent study room and there are no electric sockets at the desks we ask that you do not take out your laptop in these rooms, as these are the completely silent rooms, where we provide spaces to students in which they will not hear the tapping of keyboards or the whirring of laptop fans.

Group study rooms – There are two of these rooms located on floor 7 and they are bookable by speaking with staff at the Information Centre on floor 1. They each contain a pc and a large monitor, which you can attach your own laptop to.

Co-Labs – These are group desks with large flat screen monitors connected to a PC, and are located on floors 3, 4, 5 and 6. These are group working areas but we ask that you keep any discussions quiet as it is still possible for noise to drift across the floor. If you expect to be making a bit more noise we ask that you book one of the group study rooms on floor 7.

Individual desks – These are for individual study and are located around the edge of the building (with the great views!). Please do not hold conversations with friends when using these desks so as not to disturb your neighbours.

Rectangular study desks – These are groups of desks located on all the floors. We ask again that you keep any conversations here short and quiet so as to not disturb others.

Round study desks – These are positioned nearest the lifts on floors 3, 4, 5 and 6. As this is the noisier side of the library it is accepted that you can talk here, but quietly.

Soft seats near to the atrium – These are located next to the atrium of the building on most floors, where some noise from the café on the ground floor can be heard. Not the quietest place in the building if you are looking for silence.

Food and drink – We ask that you bring no hot food into the library but cold (non-smelly) food is allowed, except in the silent study rooms where no food is permitted. Hot drinks are allowed as long as they are in covered containers to minimise spills. We also politely ask that you tidy up after yourself, placing any waste into the appropriate bins.

Further details on all the spaces available in TSDRL can be found here.

Medical Library

Different floors of the Medical Library have different noise requirements depending on the type of study you are undertaking and which type of environment you find suits you best.

Floor 3 (the top floor) is our silent area and is expected to be completely noise-free. laptops and hot drinks are permitted but no eating is allowed. If you want to get down to some serious exam revision but are easily distracted by others then this is probably the floor for you!

Floor 2 is a quite area, where quick low-volume conversations are allowed. You may also eat on this floor. If you need to have a proper lengthy discussion then please move downstairs to either floor 1 (the entry-level) or the ground floor where there are no noise restrictions. You may also consume food on these two floors.

Students of all subjects are welcome at the Medical Library, so even if you’re studying English, Geology or History of Art feel free to come and study here if you feel it’s more convenient for you!

Remember that the 9U bus service runs between the Old Aberdeen and Foresterhill campuses on a half-hourly basis for most of the day. The timetable for the bus can be found here.

The Medical Library opening times are:

Monday – Thursday 09.00-22.00

Friday                      09.00-22.00

Saturday                 09.00-22.00

Sunday                   13.00-22.00

Taylor Library

Taylor Library is in the Taylor Building on the Old Aberdeen Campus, situated between the Edward Wright Building and Elphinstone Hall. Entrance to the library is through C block, under the bridge. The library is L-shaped and has two floors.

Block D on Floor 1 is a silent area where hot drinks are allowed but no eating is permitted. On the same level as the entry gates (1st floor of the Taylor Building) walk across C block until you have almost reached the far end; turn left into D block.

After the spiral staircase no laptops and no other personal equipment (including tablets, iPhones etc.) are allowed. You can use your laptop in the first half of D block on floor 1.

Block D on Floor 2 is slightly different:

The first half up to the spiral staircase is a quiet study space where the following rules apply:

• Laptops and personal equipment are allowed
• Drinks and cold food are OK
• Short, quiet conversations are OK

The second half of D block on floor 2 is a silent zone. The rules are:

• laptops and personal equipment are allowed but please don’t bring any food into this part of the library.
• No conversations should be held here either.

Please remember that if you are being disturbed by others using the libraries please come and speak to library staff and we shall politely ask them to consider their fellow students.

And finally, staff at all of the libraries would like to wish all of our students the best of luck in all of their exams!