Best UK Libraries For Filipino Students
Are you worried about finding the best libraries in the UK because you are going there as a student for studies? Your worry is justified if you are! Success in studies and education is integrated with access to libraries that store books, journals, magazines, articles and scriptures, etc., enabling you to be conversant with almost everything under the sun. Education in a country like the UK largely depends on having access to libraries. Most Filipino students go to the UK for higher studies, and since they are allowed to work after their study hours, they earn a reasonable amount and send money to Philippines.
Not all students who go to the UK for higher studies support their families back home. Most students support their education instead of other areas warranting financial attention. Some of them do so, whereas others don't.
Brief background of libraries
The concept of libraries dates back several hundred years. The recorded history says that the first adequately organised library was established in the Middle East in the 7th century BCE by an Assyrian ruler named Ashurbanipal in the valley of Nineveh (contemporary Iraq). It housed about 30,000 cuneiform tablets assembled by topic. It is also said that these clay tablets were first discovered in temple rooms in Sumer.
Before discussing the best libraries in the UK for overseas students, it is imperative to take a brief look at the economy of England to understand how the UK is such a big attraction.
The UK and its Economic Outlook
Measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the UK is the fifth-largest economy globally. Regarding Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), the UK is the tenth-largest economy and 21st-highest in terms of GDP per capita, making up about 3.3% of the total global GDP.
UK's agriculture is efficient and mechanised highly by European standards. It contributes about GBP 12 billion to the GDP and employs about 392,000 people.
UK's construction contributes about GBP 122 billion to the GDP on average and employs about 2.3 million people.
UK's production industry as a whole contributes GBP 50 billion to the GDP on average and employs about 3 million people.
This is what the UK's economy looks like in a nutshell. The fluctuations in the above statistics are subject to events like wars and breaking out of pandemics like Covid-19, etc.
International money transfers from the UK
With such a robust economy and healthy economic outlook, the UK economy is always welcoming to offering jobs to expatriates. People worldwide, including Philippines and Filipino students, earn in the UK and then send money to Philippines online or their countries of origin through online money transfer service providers operating across the UK.
Since many such companies offer online money transfer services in the UK, the best are the ones that strictly adhere to the rules and regulations set by the remittance industry's regulatory authorities. It offers convenience to the remitters and filters out the unscrupulous elements deceiving people in the same market.
Let's now take a look at the best libraries in the UK.
Best libraries in the UK for overseas students
Here is the list of the top ten libraries in the UK.
British Library
Visiting the British Library is no less than a feast! If you are a student and wish to study in this library, you must register for a Reader Pass. This registration process can begin online, and once complete, you will have to show up along with some required documents. Once you register, you will easily access an immense collection of books.
London Library
One of the most excellent libraries globally, the London library is home to over 1 million books. Virginia Woolf's father first opened it in 1896. It has the distinction of hosting authors like Arthur Conan Doyle and Joseph Conrad. The collection of books dates back to the 1700s till the present and is displayed beauteously on 17 miles extended shelves. It has a Writer's room that can accommodate about 26 people.
National Art Library
The National Art Library has a comprehensive reference collection of fine arts and decorative arts literature.
Poetry Library at the Southbank Centre
The national poetry library contains the entire poetry collection of the modern era. It was founded by the Arts Council in 1953 and inaugurated by poets like T. S. Eliot and Herbert Read. A visit to this library will satisfy the poet inside you! But, it is not restricted to poets alone. As a student, you are free to visit and study there.
Bishopsgate institute library
This library is located in the Liverpool area and provides excellent study materials for adult education relating to arts, culture and physical exercise. This library has also served as an independent meeting space, since 1895, for people who subscribe to similar interests and wish to learn more about the same.
Wellcome Collection library
It is another library in the UK offering immensely diversified study materials for students, scholars and academics alike. It has free Wi-Fi, mobile phone charging points and ample space. Signing up as a member is required if you want to order books from its collection.
BFI Reuben Library
This library is home to a great collection, accessible to all freely, of film, TV, pictures, etc. This material is available in digitised form for study for visitors.
Kensington Central Library
This library is spacious and filled with all the study materials. Besides, the staff is highly cooperative and ready to help and even answer questions if you have any. Another feature of this library is that computers are available that you can use freely for one hour per day.
Maughan Library
This library has more than 750,000 items, such as books, CDS, DVDs, journals, etc. It is located in Holborn and is part of King's College Strand Campus.
Barbican Library
It is located in the heart of the Barbican Centre. It is filled with digital materials such as CDs and DVDs, etc. This library is known for its music listening facilities and practice pianos. It also has self-serving photocopying and internet facilities.
These are the top UK libraries that are open to native as well as overseas students.
Now, look at some of the benefits of studying in a library.
Benefits of studying in a library
There are a few benefits of studying in a library. These are:
In a library, you can access an immense collection of books pertinent to your subject and general knowledge.
Libraries offer quiet spaces and a conducive environment that are extremely important for studying with a sharp focus.
In libraries, you have many chances to have interactive sessions with like-minded people studying the same subjects. It helps to share ideas. This way, you can have multiple ideas to fill your brain with about subjects and life.
It isn't easy to study in developed countries such as the UK. Libraries are an integral part of studying abroad. Indeed, this is one of the reasons that graduates from these countries find jobs easily and quickly. Therefore, having a fair idea about the libraries beforehand is vital before you travel to the UK for studies.
Students in the UK also have a fair chance to work and earn besides studies. It is one of the reasons that students from around the world prefer to study in England, besides the best universities, quality education, low fee, etc. Many students earn remittances during their studies and then send money to Philippines from the UK.