Durham’s libraries: A guide for new and returning students

While Freshers’ Week will undoubtedly be a blur of activities, unfamiliar faces and brand-new places, the subsequent term will see the return of everyday staples you’ll likely have forgotten in the months since A-Levels finished: Revision, research, and, unavoidably, referencing.

While you could do all this from the comfort of your own room, you’ll find an impressive array of resources in Durham’s multiple libraries, where you can study and research efficiently and beside the comfort of others. But where do you start amid such choice?

We’ve compiled a list of every major library and study space and the functions of each – key information for any first year looking to become the academic weapon they’ve always dreamed of, or even for a returning student looking into expanding their bibliothecal  horizons.

Bill Bryson Library

It goes without saying that the Bill Bryson Library (colloquially the Billy B, or the BBL, or any other nickname) is the crown jewels of Durham’s libraries. Equipped with an impressive four storeys packed with texts on subjects ranging from archaeology to computing, the library, named after the university’s former chancellor, is the ultimate research resource for pretty much any subject or paper.

The Billy B is accompanied by a virtual search engine, Discover, which allows efficient locating of relevant texts and can be invaluable if you know the tricks. While its opening hours have faced some recent controversy, this place also doubles as a great study area, with desk spaces available on all four storeys and views from the ground floor’s quasi-magical moving bookshelves to an unmatched perspective of the cathedral from the top floor. The café is an excellent spot for social studying, a rendezvous with friends or, on one memorable occasion, a virtual job interview.

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All in all, there’s simply no beating Durham’s biggest and busiest library.

Teaching and Learning Centre

While not technically a library, the TLC is used as an alternative to the Billy B by so many students that it made this list anyway. This modern, sleek building opposite the science site contains an honestly unfair number of study spaces upstairs, including individual and group study areas, all equipped with charging facilities. There’s even a small café downstairs serving drinks and light snacks, as well as free hot and cold drinks upstairs.

It’s no surprise that a lot of students consider the TLC the best study spot in Durham.

College libraries

While not as big as the Billy B, college libraries are invaluable as study places, mainly because they’re a lot closer to home and easier to access for impromptu studying that just won’t happen if you have to walk there. They also have the advantage of being open 24/7 (while the Billy B is only open 8am-midnight on weekdays and 9am-midnight at the weekend, unless exams are on) – ideal for midnight cramming for next-day exams. While sizes can vary, college libraries can also house rare or second editions of texts not in the Billy B, which can come in handy for niche background research or getting copies of popular texts during busy periods.

Barker Research Library

Palace Green is not only more or less the city centre and an excellent spot for snagging selfies in front of the cathedral; it also houses the Barker Research Library. While this place may not be researching yours truly, it is a valuable repository of revision materials, especially for more practical degrees and coursework. Appointments are usually required but can easily be booked; you can also access the exhibition galleries even if you aren’t a student. There are also several study spaces if you’re looking for a peaceful spot close to the Bailey Colleges, the Cathedral and the town centre. A personal favourite is the map of Durham City covering an entire floor, which shows the town in exquisite detail.

The Library

No list of Durham’s libraries would be complete without this unexpected entry – The Library, which, while it fails to live up to its name, is up there with the Bishops’ Mill and the best college bars as a good place for a student night out. Located on Saddler Street, in close proximity to the Bailey colleges and nightclub staples such as Jimmy’s, Klute and Fab’s, this deceptively named bar boasts an impressive range of drinks and some incredible student discounts, as well as a multi-levelled seating area perfect for pre-drinking, dates and large-group meetups.

And while it might not have as many revision resources as the other entries in this article, it would certainly work as a studying spot (albeit maybe not a quiet one).

Featured image via Canva

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