A Comprehensive Review of all the Libraries at UQ

In light of the brand new university year, our chinwaggers deserve a cheeky head-start on who's who in the zoo. More specifically, I mean a basic run down on every official University of Queensland library. Read on for the unspoken hierarchy, basic knowledge and tips and tricks to keep in mind for the rest of your degree.

WALTER HARRISON LAW LIBRARY

Location: Forgan Smith Building; building 1.

Individual seating: lots located on levels two and three. Extra classrooms are available when unused.

Group seating: lots located on level one. Book a room/booth well in advance to secure seats.

Quietness: level one has a lot of foot traffic and is quite noisy, whereas you can hear a pin drop on levels two and three.

Facilities (computers, power points, printers, taps & toilets etc): the most decked out library of them all, there's loads of all of the above. If you forget a charging chord, this library has a phone charging station on level one.

General notes: everyone that goes to UQ agrees the law library tops the library hierarchy. Don't be put off by snobby looks, just act confident and get your own work done.

CENTRAL LIBRARY

Location: to the right of Duhig library up Campbell road; building 12.

Individual seating: levels three and four are dedicated to individual silent study. There are individual seats on level two but it's squishy and loud.

Group seating: lots on level two, including enclosed, circular pods, clinically-lit circular tables and square/rectangle desks. Bookable rooms are available here.

Quietness: level two is extremely loud due to the kitchen, foot traffic, group work and coffee shop beneath. Levels three and four are dedicated quiet study spaces and are incredibly silent.

Facilities: Excellent chilled taps and printers on every level, help desks on level one, a kitchen with four microwaves and a fridge on level two, power points everywhere you look (rectangular and circular group tables on level two have inbuilt power points). Bathrooms are large but never feel fully clean.

General notes: central library was only reopened in 2019 and houses the majority of the campus's books. Aside from the quiet study levels, it's extremely loud and is the best for group work. You'll most likely run into friends/acquaintances here due to the kitchen.

FRYER LIBRARY

Location: Duhig tower, level four (accessible by stairs or elevator); building 2.

Individual seating: barely any individual desks, but it's so silent that larger tables can be shared with no qualms.

Group seating: nearly all the desks seat six to eight people. This is definitely not a library for noisy group work, but is great for small groups who genuinely want to get work done.

Quietness: would definitely hear a pin drop.

Facilities:  a couple of power banks are located on desks throughout level one in addition to one disabled/unisex toilet and a large photocopier.

General notes: upon entrance put your bag in the cubby's provided and use the library to your right – if you are a post-graduate student, use the post-graduate space on the left. Level five is another huge, modern study space that I highly recommend.

DUHIG TOWER

Location: next to Merlo in the corner of the great court, or accessible on Campbell road; building 2.

Individual seating: lots of computer seats are on level two and random couches with mini tables on level one.

Group seating: all tables on level two (Merlo level) are tables of six.

Quietness: both levels are generally quite loud as the Duhig Link staircase connects The Great Court to Central Library and Campbell road. Not your first option if looking to get individual work done, but great for group work.

Facilities: printers, four power points per table on level two, an abundance of computers, home of the POD printing centre (which can generate a noisy queue), and an eating area with two microwaves tucked into level one near the large, clean bathrooms.

General notes: this is the last resort library, only use it if you're desperate, aren't intending to get work done, need to use a computer or heat up your lunch. Don't sit near the bins.

ARCHITECTURE AND MUSIC LIBRARY

Location: between The Great Court and the Hawken Engineering Building; building 51.

Individual seating: lots and lots of quiet study pods and small private study rooms. Excellent library for private study.

Group seating:  a fair amount of group tables but not the best location for group work.

Quietness: Fairly quiet – if you need total silence use a private study room or the quiet study space at the back.

Facilities: three printers, a fair amount of computers (nothing crazy like Duhig Library), a lot of power points and small, dingy but clean one cubicle toilets.

General notes: this library houses the architecture and music print collection and has a helpful front desk; because the book shelves block your view it can be a tad disorientating at first. Take advantage of the private study rooms for maximum silence and privacy.

DOROTHY HILL ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES LIBRARY

Location: the heart of the Hawken Engineering Building; building 50.

Individual seating: barely any individual desks or pods on level two, whereas level three is dedicated to individual quiet study and is packed with study pods.

Group seating: mainly group seating on level two with a small portion of level three. Level two is a great location for engineering students to do group work if you can nab a table. Group meeting rooms are located on both levels.

Quietness: level two is very noisy whereas level three is silent.

Facilities (computers, power points, printers, taps & toilets): excellent facilities. Level two has a hand sanitising machine and help desk upon entrance, high-request books, public white boards, a kitchenette with a fridge and a microwave, a phone recharging station, two unisex/disabled bathrooms, a couple meeting rooms, and individual bean bags to the right of the entrance. Level three has lots of private study desks (with and without computers) and meeting rooms. Both levels have cold water taps and printers.

General notes: this library is completely different to the first-year library space. Because of the microwave, level two gets noisy and smelly at lunch time. Level three is the C. S. Davis Mathematics Library.

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES LIBRARY

Location: Next the bus stop roundabout and Slip road; building 94.

Individual seating: level four is packed with individual silent study desks, and level two has long, narrow benches for pairs or individuals.

Group seating: level three has lots of large tables that are always full. Get there early to nab a desk, and don't let it go.

Quietness: foot traffic up to level three means only the back corners and the dedicated quiet study zone on level four have guaranteed silence.

Facilities: lots of computers, chilled taps and printers. Bathrooms are small and old, but clean. There's a fair amount of power points but there is no guarantee that you will find a free one).

General notes: the Bioscience library is excellent for group work and its location makes it convenient for quick visits. It's also the home of the famous pod chairs - these are located on level two, at the front.