Queen Square Library Review

After finishing my undergraduate degree at a university in a small town, I was thrilled to move to London to pursue a postgraduate degree in Clinical Neuroscience. I was incredibly excited to learn about all UCL’s libraries. On my first day of induction classes I found out the department I had become part of, the Queen Square Institute of Neurology, has its own library. I immediately knew I had to visit. 

Evident from its name, the Queen Square Library is located at the north end of Queen Square. Upon my arrival, the friendly receptionist guided me to the staircase and I made my way up to the 1st floor, where the library is located. 

Before entering, I was kindly asked to present my UCL ID card by a member of staff. I made my way to a spacious desk and chose a seat right next to the large windows which allow natural lighting in the room and overlook the historical Queen Square gardens. Once a residential square, the gardens are now surrounded by the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine as well as other institutions. 

Shelves full of an impressively wide range of academic journals, book collections, manuals and handbooks can be found amid a selection of study spaces. Large desks with several seats are equipped with a computer, a screen, a number of plugs and an individual light. As I had brought my own laptop, I was pleased to see that there is also the option to use the large desk without a computer, providing me with much needed space for my books, laptop and (lidded) drink. Additionally, although this library tends to be very quiet, there are two separate study rooms if you are hoping for some extra concentration. You do not need to pre-book your desk or study space, so everything is available on a first come first served basis. 

Right next to the reception, I noticed a selection of facilities such as a photocopier and printer, available both to students and members of the hospital. The space is decorated with a plethora of pictures of physicians, neurologists and important figures that have contributed to the Institute of Neurology. 

Throughout the year, I found myself visiting the library after every class and  it quickly became my default option. It is one of the smaller libraries at UCL, mostly used by students that are part of the Institute of Neurology. As a result I always end up seeing familiar faces, which often acts as a motive for me to pay a visit. 

Although open to all UCL students, the collection at Queen Square Library can be proven incredibly useful to those interested in neurology, neuroscience and brain sciences, with hundreds of books and journals pertaining to such topics being readily available to read to lend. 

If you plan to visit the Queen Square Library, here are a few things you need to keep in mind. Make sure you bring you UCL ID card as it is essential for entry. Additionally, in order to  access  the library you will need to use a short  flight  of stairs to enter the building and then another set of stairs or a lift to the 1st floor, where the library space is located. If you require a step free access, you will need to contact the library in advance, so that an operator can assist you in using the platform lift.