Finding a study space can be challenging sometimes. Check out some of the study spaces in IKB here!
Click through the different tabs to view spaces within each category.
Collaborative and Central
1st Floor Learning Concourse
Overhead lighting
Tall chairs and booth seating
Food permitted
Charging outlets at high-top desks and booths
This is an informal study space with booths and individual desks that is generally less populated than the rest of IKB, which makes it a great option if you want fewer distractions but don’t require total silence.
2nd Floor Learning Concourse
Overhead lighting
Comfortable lounge seating, high-top desk chairs, booth seating, computer workstation stools
Food permitted
Charging outlets at high-top desks and booths
Additional features:
- Two printers (1 color, 1 black and white)
- 18 PC workstations
- 5 Dual monitor stations
This space features rotating exhibits year-round. The booth seating on this floor is so comfortable, but you have to go early because the limited seats get taken fast!
Qualicum Reading Room
IKB Level 3 Room 305
Overhead lighting
Circular shared desks and long desks by the window
Food permitted
Charging outlets at long desks and sparse outlets in the floor
Additional features:
- Whiteboards (markers available to borrow at the CLC Help Desk)
- 2 colour printers and scanners
- Print card machine to load money onto a UBCcard or Guest Card
- Piano (headphones available to borrow at the CLC Help Desk)
This collaborative study space hosts the Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication, Profs in Commons, and Peer Academic Coaches.
The Chapman Learning Commons Help Desk is also here, lending equipment and offering guidance.
Heritage Core
IKB Level 3 Room 300
Dim overhead lighting and controllable desk lamps
Long shared desks, armchair seating, and computer workstations
Food permitted
Charging outlets at long desks and ports at computers
Additional features:
- 30 Mac workstations with Adobe Creative Cloud pre-installed
- 5 PC workstations
- 5 dual monitor stations
- 7 digital flatbed scanners
This is a collaborative space, but it tends to be quiet. The vaulted ceilings make you feel like a medieval monarch, but also gives the room an echo that makes it slightly uncomfortable to have any conversations.
Golden Jubilee Room
IKB Level 4 Room 400
Overhead lighting
Circular shared desks and long desks by the window
Food permitted
Charging outlets at long desks and sparse outlets in the floor
This collaborative study space offers mountain and ocean views. This is by far the most collaborative study spot on campus; students often push tables together and form big groups. While it may be difficult to find a seat here, this is a great space to study with your friends as it really gives a sense of community.
DaBao (formerly Ike’s Cafe)
IKB Level 2
Bright overhead lighting and natural lighting
Chairs at small round tables
Food permitted and available for purchase at DaBao
Minimal outlets available
Additional features:
- Vending machines with snacks and beverage
- UpMeal vending machine that offers “to-go” meals
DaBao has a student cafeteria vibe, all the way from the seating layout to the atmosphere. There are many small tables in this area that you’re very likely to find a place to sit, and the vibrant ambiance will make you feel comfortable having animated discussions with your peers.
DaBao’s menu offers a variety of things from bubble tea to dumplings to pastries. They accept UBCcard Value Plan, Departmental Food Plan, Carryover Plan, UBC Guest Cards, cash, debit, and credit.
Silent Study Spaces
Musqueam Reading Room
IKB Level 4 Room 455
Natural lighting
Comfortable seating at shared desks
Noisy packaging and hot/fragrant food not permitted
Minimal charging ports available
This room is a silent space, meaning only silent devices and no talking is permitted.
Naas Reading Room
IKB Level 4 Room 459
Natural lighting
Private cubicles; high-top desks; large group tables
Food permitted
Charging ports available at each cubicle
Additional features: Two classrooms (Hazelton and Wells)
This room is a quiet space, although the quiet environment may be disturbed when the adjacent classrooms are in use. This room is one of the few spots in IKB where you can find private cubicles, making it a great find if you want a little more privacy as you work.
Ridington Room
MAA Level 3 & 4 Room 321
Natural lighting
Armchairs and shared desks (level 3); study cubicles (level 4)
Food NOT permitted
Charging ports available at tables
The Ridington Room located in the North end of MAA is a famous stop on campus! Also known as one of the “Harry Potter” rooms, it features portraits of all past and current UBC presidents.
No talking is permitted in this silent study space.
MAA Level 4
Open Space
Overhead lighting
Armchairs, shared work desks, computer workstations
Food NOT permitted; drinks with lids permitted
Charging ports available at tables
Because this space is harder to locate, it’s usually a lot emptier meaning you can almost always find a seat! This is a quiet space, with brief whispered conversation permitted.
Bookable Study Spaces
IKB Levels 1 & 2
Rooms 192-194 & 263-266
Bright overhead lighting
Seats up to 8; accessible seating
Food permitted
Outlets available
Additional features: Whiteboard (markers are available to borrow at the CLC Help Desk on the 3rd floor)
These rooms are available when the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre is open and must be vacated 15 minutes prior to closing.
Book here for a study room located in the lower floors (levels 1 and 2 of IKB)..
Please note that 2 or more people will need to occupy the room to make a booking.
MAA Levels 3 & 4
Rooms 315-317 & 415-416
Natural lighting
Seats up to 8; accessible seating
Spill-proof drinks and snacks permitted
Outlets available
Additional features: Whiteboard (markers are available to borrow at the CLC Help Desk on the 3rd floor)
These rooms are available when the Music, Art & Architecture Library is open and must be vacated 30 minutes prior to closing.
Book here for an MAA study room. Please note that 2 or more people will need to occupy the room to make a booking.
Digital Media Rooms
MAA Level 3 Rooms 324 & 325
Overhead lighting
Seats up to 5
Food NOT permitted
Outlets available
Additional features:
- Display screen
- Audio system
- DVD player
- CD player (Room 324 only)
- VCR player (Room 325 only)
The Digital Media Rooms in MAA are acoustically buffered multimedia spaces that highlight media. Please bring your own computer or borrow a laptop to connect to the display screen.
The room is kept locked and the person who booked the room must visit the Circulation Desk at the Music, Art & Architecture Library and show UBC ID or government issued ID to obtain access.
How to Book a Study Room
Book here for a study room located in the lower floors (levels 1 and 2 of IKB).
Book here for a study room located in the upper floors (level 3 and 4 of MAA).
Use Policies
To ensure fair access to all users, please observe the following:
- Individuals can book up to 2 hours per day, 3 times a week, up to 7 days in advance.
- Rooms are to be used in compliance with the UBC Library Food and Drink Policy.
- If you have unique academic circumstances that require you to book this room for more than 2 hours or require invigilation (i.e. a UBC exam that is more than 4 hours) with an additional individual in the room, please email ikblc.bookings@ubc.ca to consider your request.
If you have any questions, reach out to ikblc.bookings@ubc.ca
Other Study Spaces
Across campus, UBC offers a huge variety of both formal and informal study spaces. Click here for a list of informal learning spaces.
UBC also has a map for study spaces across campus.
