Which library has what you actually need to study? Use this guide to find out.
What you should know about most libraries
Printing: All UBC Library branches have printing facilities with black & white, colour, and double-sided printing and scanning capabilities. A list of all library public printers is available here. You can set up your pay for print and submit jobs directly from your personal computer. If you have trouble setting up pay for print, visit the Help Desk on level 3 of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre.
Internet Access Ports: Where accessible, they are identified by either a yellow or green sticker or by a blue outlet.
Food/Drink: I get it, students be hungry, but not everyone wants to smell your food while trying to learn calculus. Be considerate of what you eat and make sure to store what you don't finish in a sealed container. Also, some libraries have restricted food/drink policies, so be sure to check the signs in the space.
Help: Google searches don’t always cut it for university papers. Every library has knowledgeable staff available to help you with your research or finding an online resource. Library staff and faculty are here to support you and your learning—take advantage of their expertise!
Legend
Library
Click on a link to explore a specific library, or scroll through to browse them all!
David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (IKBLC)
Music, Art & Architecture Library (MAA)
Asian Library
Location: Asian Centre, 1871 West Mall
How to actually get there: Take the concrete path from West Mall (behind the Institute of Asian Research). Enter the Asian Centre through the heavy double doors. Once inside, you will see the library on the right, through a push-swing gate.
Hours (Sep 5 - Dec 22):
- Mon-Thu: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sat: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Sun: Closed
Why study here:
- 2 seminar rooms that can be booked at the circulation desk on the main level for group study.
- Plugs for you to charge your technology.
- A somewhat hidden library so you're more likely to find a seat.
David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons
Location: Level 2, David Lam Management Research Centre building, 2033 Main Mall
How to actually get there: Near Triple O’s on Main Mall, enter through the side doors of David Lam building. The library is on level 2 and can be reached by stairs or elevator.
Hours (Sep 5 - Dec 22):
- Mon-Thu: 8:30 am - 10:00 pm
- Fri: 8:30 am - 8:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Why study here:
- The entire main level has large tables for group study sessions/projects.
- Easy access to plugs at nearly every spot.
- A closed section around the entire east perimeter which is completely silent if the main area is too loud.
- Computers on both floors.
- Natural light for those days when you don’t want to be in artificial light for hours.
- Two outdoor patios so you can study outside on nice days.
Education Library
Location: Scarfe Building, 2125 Main Mall
How to actually get there: The library is just inside the main entrance of Scarfe, to the left when you walk inside.
Hours (Sep 5 - Dec 22):
- Mon-Thu: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Fri: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sun: Closed
Why study here:
- Lots of different kinds of seating—standing, sitting, individual and small group, and casual areas.
- Group study spots available with tables on the main level and the lower level.
- Silent study is available on the lower floors amidst the stacks of books.
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (IKBLC)
Location: 1961 East Mall
How to actually get there: From East Mall, enter the Learning Centre through the main doors. The Chapman Learning Commons is on level 3.
Hours (Sep 5 - Dec 22):
- Mon-Sun: 6:00 am - 12:00 am
Why study here:
- IKBLC is good for 2 reasons—large tables and being able to eat food without judgment.
- If you get there at 9:00 am, you’ll be able to find a seat.
- 7 group study rooms with whiteboards on levels 1 and 2. Check out the newly renovated Level 2 Learning Concourse which features upgraded seating, larger tables and plenty of power outlets for individual and group study.
- 3 silent study areas: the Musqueam Reading Room (455), the Nass Reading Room on the south end of level 4, and the Ridington Reading Room on the north end of level 3.
- The beautiful old section on level 3, called the Chapman Learning Commons (CLC) has 10 PCs and 30 Macs as well as long tables for studying. The Help Desk, the Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication, and the CLC’s coaching and tutoring services are close by.
- Ike’s Cafe is right there for easy study snack purchases.
Chapman Learning Commons Help Desk
Hours (Sep 5 - Dec 22):
- Mon-Thu: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
- Fri: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
On level 3 of the library, the Chapman Learning Commons team is there to loan you a range of equipment (computer chargers, LCD projectors, DSLR cameras, and more), assist you with technology in the space, and can connect you to other resources and services around campus.
Koerner Library
Location: 1958 Main Mall
How to actually get there:* Enter from Main Mall or Crescent Road via the central courtyard.
*When you enter, you will be on level 3.
Hours (Sep 5 - Dec 22):
- Mon-Thu: 7:30 am - 10:00 pm
- Fri: 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
- Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Sun: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Why study here:
- First of all, the building is designed to look like a book opening. If that doesn’t inspire focused studying, I don’t know what will.
- It’s big, it’s quiet, it has plugs at nearly every table (except the basement by the windows).
- It allows you to drink out of closed containers.
- Several rooms with tables and blackboards for group study are available on level 1. Book these rooms for a study session using the online Library Room Booking System.
- There is a silent study area on level 1. The Research Commons, an interdisciplinary, research-driven learning space for graduate students can be found on levels 4 and 5. Undergraduate students are welcome to attend all workshops offered.
- There is a Data and GIS lab on level 2.
- There are internet access ports on level 1.
- It’s a great place to start a paper because you can get research help on level 3.
Law Library
Location: Allard School of Law, 1822 East Mall
How to actually get there: The library entrance is on level 2, which can be reached by elevator or by the stairs by the main entrance on the west side of the building.
Hours (Sep 5 - Dec 22):
- Mon-Thu: 8:30 am - 9:00 pm
- Fri: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Why study here:
- If you need inspiration to focus while studying, go to this library. There’s nothing like a group of ambitious law students hitting the books for hours to inspire you to finish your paper.
- It’s dead silent in there. It’s expected that breathing and scribbling pens are the only noise allowed in those stacks.
- Copious amount of plugs to use.
- Internet access ports are available on all levels.
- It’s beautiful and filled with natural light, which is easy on the eyes.
Music, Art & Architecture Library (MAA)
Location: Level 3, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
How to actually get there: Enter from inside Irving K. Barber Learning Centre on level 3. Go through the swinging gates and you can access the Ridington Room and level 4.
Hours (Sep 5 - Dec 22):
- Mon-Thu: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
- Fri: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Why study here:
- If you need silence, come here. I can guarantee that the assignment you’ve been procrastinating on will be finished in an hour. The ambiance is one of focused work.
- The Ridington Reading Room (north end of levels 3 and 4) is a silent study area. There are numerous locations within the MAA Library for quiet study, most of which are on level 4.
- There are 5 group study rooms with whiteboards on levels 3 and 4.
- 2 high-tech, acoustically buffered digital media rooms to book for student use.
Woodward Library
Location: 2198 Health Sciences Mall
How to actually get there: Entrance to the library is from the inside of the Instructional Resource Centre (IRC).
Hours (Sep 5 - Dec 22):
- Mon-Thu: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
- Fri: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Sun: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Why study here:
- Step aside Koerner—Woodward is here to rival your stacks. If you’re looking for large tables with access to plugs and natural lighting, Woodward will fulfill your needs.
- Large group study rooms on the east side of the second level of the library and on the garden level (basement). Book these rooms for a study session using the online Library Room Booking System.
- Silent study is available in the Charles Woodward Memorial Room on level 1 and on the garden level.
- You can sit on the comfy chairs on the main level.
Xwi7xwa Library
Location: Circular building east of and adjacent to the First Nation’s Longhouse, 1985 West Mall
How to actually get there: Just off of West Mall, down the winding staircase.
Hours (Sep 5 - Dec 22):
- Mon-Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Why study here:
- First of all, this library is unique as it sits in a circular building just off of West Mall.
- It is small in size but it has great exposure to natural light.
- It’s a great study spot for those days when you need peace and quiet and not a lot of people around.
