Hi everyone! I am Sneha Ramanathan, and I recently finished my MA in Shakespeare Studies. I know the exams and assessments period is coming up but, worry not! I’m thrilled to tell you how you can make the most of King’s Libraries.
It was a fine Saturday in August 2023. I fought the London heat like everyone else and was making my way through Simpson’s Shakespeare and Medicine when I heard the friendly announcement at the Maughan Library: ‘Hi everyone. Hope your dissertations are coming along great. Please remember to take breaks in between. Have a lovely evening.’
I looked away from the books dumped in front of me and, voila, saw the half–empty Round Reading Room – just one of a series of rare and fortunate occurrences I experienced in the King’s Libraries that dissertation period.
Study spaces
The Round Reading Room, which is rarely empty, is my favourite study space at the Maughan, the library which I used regularly. Finding a seat in the Round Reading Room is a skill I built throughout my programme.
I like to switch my study spaces regularly so that I can get on with my work feeling motivated after each switch. As well as the Round Reading Room, my other favourite locations are the Postgraduate and Undergraduate Towers and the Mezzanine Floors. I even have a secret study spot at the Maughan but I’m happy to share it with you: it’s the room located in between 2M.16 and 2M.18 with breathtaking views of the library.
Fun Fact: Did you know that you can book a locker at the Maughan? Find out more on this page.
There are many more study spaces at the seven King’s Libraries so make sure to check them out.
Interlibrary loans
Want a book or book chapter which isn’t available at the King’s Libraries or as an e-resource? Did you know that you can request them? King’s Libraries can get them parcelled from another university or delivered as a document to your King’s email address. You can place a request through the Interlending and Document Delivery Service.
Special Collections & Archives
Stepping into the Foyle Special Collections Library at the Maughan Library is like stepping into a world which seems to be a thousand years old. Check out this page to find out how to access the Special Collections and experience them for yourself.
The Libraries recently launched the Archives catalogue through which you can request archival materials. At the Archives, it’s never a boring day. There’s even a piece of the Berlin wall which is part of the Barbara and David Stone Collection.
Find yourself in the collections
Not able to find a book that you feel the Libraries should have? Request it through the 'Find yourself in our collections' webform. This enables students to inform the collections and make them as diverse as the King's community is.