Fond memories of the SOAS Library

As part of the celebrations surrounding the SOAS Library’s 50th anniversary, we asked the SOAS community to share their memories of their time spent studying, researching, hunting for books, and “chair racing”. 

Judging from the huge number of likes, comments and re-posts that our request received, the overwhelming feeling is that people simply love the SOAS Library. Here we share a cross-section of some of the best responses.

A Second Home

Many people found the SOAS Library became a home-from-home for them:

“The library was like a second home for me between 2003 and 2008. I used to love going there for the late-night shift... It was excellent for general linguistics, and the best I know for African linguistics, with books about languages from all over the continent!” - Serge Sagna, Lecturer in Linguistics

“Oh, I recall spending a lot of time there because it was so warm and our grim flat was so cold––no central heating in those days––and having a part-time job shifting the entire works of Kim Il Sung from one stack to another. There was a ton of dust and I don't think those volumes had been much disturbed...” - Nicky Saunter, Social Entrepreneur

Losing Track of Time

Quite mysteriously, the SOAS Library appears to have a TARDIS-like quality to it, when it comes to Time:

“I lost many an afternoon browsing and finding an unexpected volume in the library.” - Rob Chapman, Chief Customer Officer, Leading Resolutions

“I spent so many hours in the SOAS library studying for my BA, it will always have a special place in my heart.” - Carola De Luca, Coaching & Training Development Specialist

“…walking into the library was like going through the wardrobe to Narnia and discovering all the treasures and secrets it held!” - Lynsey Murning Gregory, Lawyer

…walking into the library was like going through the wardrobe to Narnia and discovering all the treasures and secrets it held!

Going Off-Topic

A recurring theme was how often someone would go into the Library looking for a specific book on one particular topic, and emerge again, sometimes hours later, with an armful of books on a range of completely different topics:

“Went in to get some books on the Mongols, ended up also leaving with a fascinating little book on Scotland in the Crusades and a batch of books on the Mandate for Palestine.” - Calum B.

“Sitting on the floor between the aisles reading books that had nothing to do with my Masters: Japanese history; Islamic history. Happy days.” - Tazmeen D., Policy and Programme Management at NHS

“Browsing the collections of priceless ancient art books from Japan, Africa, China, India for hours on end. (I was registered for a Masters in Finance and Law!).” - Dr Desné Masie, Chief Strategist at IC Intelligence

“Despite being a BA Chinese student, I used to love wandering through the aisles of the Arabic section and stare at the beautiful flowing gold script on the spines of books, occasionally running my fingers across an embossed cover. So much history and knowledge in one place!” - Jim Faherty, High School Counsellor, Green School Bali

A Quick Nap

However, some people didn’t use the Library solely for the intended purpose:

“Falling asleep in the Islamic Studies room and waking up with a book-corner-shaped imprint on my face (that happened a lot).” - Glada Lahn, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House

“Falling asleep while reading on the top floor.” - Paridhi Pardeshi, Economic Development Advisor

Feeling the Love

Whilst others discovered more than they expected there:

“So many hours spent in this wonderful library! Coincidentally also met my husband at SOAS (married 32 years) so it will always hold a special place for us!” - Nadia Kabir Barb, Author

“Met my husband in that library. That must be one memory I’ll never forget.” - Giulia Cibotti Bishop

“The library is where I chatted (quietly) with the man who would become my husband. We were discussing the book Japanese Society by Chie Nakane. Always be a special place.” - Madhulika Sikka, Vice President at Crown Publishing Group

The library is where I chatted (quietly) with the man who would become my husband. We were discussing the book Japanese Society by Chie Nakane.

Window-Gazing

Some Library-devotees found inspiration in the view outside the windows:

“Great memories of getting lost in random books, the autumn sun on the Institute of Education through those huge windows, and the Dewey Decimal System, which I never quite mastered.” - Rocco Blume, Head of Policy & Advocacy at War Child UK

“So many happy memories of that library! Although I'm sure I used to spend more time looking out of the window than reading some days.” - Elizabeth Lyle, Associate at Alliotts

A Final Word

“Spent the best days of my life here.” - Aili Seghetti, Founder of The Intimacy Curator

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of SOAS Library, a new exhibition, A Concrete Solution: 50 Years of the Philips Building, has opened on the ground floor. It's free and open to the public from 25 September to the end of December 2023.