(2) The Squire Law Library

For the second library of this endeavor, I went next door to the law faculty. I've been in the building before, as we sometimes need to have lectures in the basement. The history faculty, in all their infinite wisdom, did not commission a building with any rooms large enough to fit more than 60 or so historians at a time. There are about 200 in a year, so this can present some logistical problems (not too many, though, because historians are renowned for their relaxed approach to lecture attendance)

Anyway, back to the law library:

The start of a very small adventure

The Squire Law Library is a multi-floored, disconcertingly modern beast. Integrated into the law faculty, it reaches dizzying heights, looking down over all of the Sidgewick site, so that prospective lawyers can get accustomed to being richer and more important than everyone else, or something like that.

Looking down at the slightly inadequate history faculty 

Stairway to books about international law

Once you make it the top of the many stairs (the second floor desks are exclusively for the use of phd students) the views are impressive. Looking out to the town centre, you can catch a glimpse of the spires of Kings College chapel. Meanwhile, I can also see into the corridor that I lived in for first year, which adds a nice little dose of nostalgia to today's library session.

Treetops and a beautiful winter sky 

Long desks, tall bookshelves

The library is sectioned off from the rest of the building by large glass panels, probably to stop noise travelling. There's a rather eerie silence that's occasionally broken by someone rustling five desks away, or on the odd occasion, a voice from a few floors below. Sound carries easily within blocked off section. Even without the little bit of a draft that I managed to position myself next to, there's something rather cold about this library.

I'm not a massive fan of the chairs either.

Not one of my favourite chairs 

Being law-abiding

As far as the books are concerned, a lot of them don't seem to be borrowable. From what I understand, the Squire Law Library is some kind of subsidary of the UL and is designed to be a reference only library, which is great because it means you won't get fined.

A book that I sadly could not borrow

Hardworking lawyers

It stays open until 9, which is pretty late as far as subject specific libraries go. However, I decided that having dinner was more important that the novelty of staying until closing time, so left just before 6. It was getting quite chilly in there. 

Festive looking tree

3/10 for comfort, friendliness and ease of locating books
9/10 for a cold clinical atmosphere in which you're almost certain to get some work done. 

Thought for the day, courtesy of Rousseau