As we hit the middle of term — for most of us like a race car into a brick wall — it’s time to start spicing things up and exploring new study spaces to keep up the motivation. And what better way to assess the vibe of a library than through its musical equivalent? Now a seasoned professional in invading libraries I don’t belong in, allow me to offer a sonic vibe check for the major libraries that Cambridge has to offer.

The University Library — ‘Anti-Hero’ by Taylor Swift

Setting aside any opinions you may have on Taylor Swift, this song is dedicated to the U.L. thanks to the line “Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby, and I’m a monster on the hill.” The University Library has been around a long time, and the poor girl gets a lot of flack: for being too ominous; too intimidating; or simply too big. But if you pluck up the courage to go in, you’ll find that gorgeous brown and green aesthetic popular in the 1930s and a cosy tea room fit for “tea time” where “everybody agrees”. Taylor may have been right that you “should not be left to [your] own devices”, because it is worryingly easy to get lost in there. But the sympathy she yearns for in the song is the same sympathy we should give to our old reliable gal, the University Library.

“While I doubt there is any ass-shaking going on in the law library, this is the place you go when you need to get work done”

The Squire Law Library — ‘GET UP BITCH! shake ya ass’ by Victoria ft. Anitta

While I doubt there is any ass-shaking going on in the law library, this is the place you go when you need to get work done. In that sense, it is the primordial “GET UP BITCH!” library. The sonic intensity of this song also mirrors the oppressive atmosphere of the Squire. The second you walk in, you feel you’re being judged. Having met law students, I’d say you probably are, so the overwhelming production in Victoria’s music debut is the perfect way to drown out your thoughts of inadequacy.

The MMLL Library — ‘Kiss Me’ by Sixpence None The Richer

The MMLL library is like a warm hug. If you haven’t had the pleasure of studying in this primary-school-bookshelf of a study space, let me paint a picture: there are beanbags; they offer you blankets when it gets cold; every Wednesday they serve tea and biscuits. The gentle drifting of Leigh Nash’s vocals and the softness of the acoustic guitar therefore serve as perfect accompaniment for a trip to the Raised Faculty Building’s crown jewel. It might be ugly, but you’ve gotta love it.

The Seeley Historical Library — ‘Last Words of a Shooting Star’ by Mitski

For those unfamiliar, ‘Last Words of a Shooting Star’ is a heart-wrenching reflection on death, and for those who haven’t yet heard the news, the Seeley library will be closing (temporarily) in Lent term. While I can’t say the news evoked the same sadness that Mitski does, I nevertheless imagine the oddly shaped building calling out “Think of me kindly when they come for my things” in the same way she does.

An honourable mention also goes to ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’ by Rockwell, thanks to the sheer number of times I’ve heard the Seeley likened to the panopticon. I can’t say I disagree — there is an eerie level of observation in that place.

The Marshall Economics Library — ‘Talk Talk’ by Charli xcx

Despite the obvious temptation to offer ‘Money, Money, Money’ for the economics library, there is a much more accurate description to be given to the Marshall. Now, I love to yap with my friends as much as the next person, but the economics library takes that to an entirely new level. To my surprise, full-volume conversations are (apparently) perfectly acceptable in the Marshall, and for that reason, people find it a much less intimidating and much more social library experience than any other. I’m not convinced I like the change, but who am I to tell economists how to behave?

West Hub — ‘Dirtee Cash’ by Dizzee Rascal

For those of us condemned to a life on Sidgwick, a trip to West Cambridge can be an eye-opening adventure. The one revelation that will strike you most is just how much money the sciences clearly get. West Hub, and the surrounding buildings, are a flagrant display of flashy architecture, modern design, and lots and lots of money. It seems only fitting to hear “money talks, dirty cash I want you” as you sit in the bougie ground floor restaurant or wheel a whiteboard to your personal study booth.

Judge Business School — ‘Joseph’s Coat’ from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

While the JBS is not strictly a library, the suitability of these lyrics for a building that feels so overwhelmingly like a children’s play centre felt too good to ignore: “It was red and yellow and green and brown and scarlet and black and…”