Humanities and Social Sciences Library in Georg Sverdrups hus
Welcome!
Find your favorite place to work, meet fellow students over a cup of coffee, find academic literature, or get help and guidance from a librarian.
We are a large academic and research library, spread over six floors in Georg Sverdrup’s hus. The library focuses on the humanities, social sciences, educational sciences and theology. We are open to all users!
You can find the Humanities and Social Sciences Library in Georg Sverdrup's hus at Blindern. You can use the map to find your way around the different floors.
At our library you can
- read and work alone or with others
- reserve group study rooms and individual study spaces
- Visit Academic Writing Centre
- take a break at Georg coffee shop or Sverdrup eatery in the same building
- attend events and exhibitions
- relax with jigsaw puzzles or a book in the Literature Salon
- get IT help at the service desk in the entrance hall (closed for the rest of the term)
Studying at the Humanities and Social Sciences Library
We have approx.1000 study spaces. You can find quiet study zones in the library, and a dedicated quiet study room on Level 3. See the zone layout.
There are practical group work spaces and group study rooms for collaborative work on every floor. You can reserve a room here.
Relax in the social areas on level 1, and in the Literature Salon on level U.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the toilets?
There are toilets on every floor of the library, except on level 1. You can find the toilets next to the elevator.
There are also toilets on level U, beneath the entrance hall in Georg Sverdrups hus.
Can I print, copy, and scan?
Yes, you can. Read more about printing, copying, and scanning.
Where can I refill my water bottle?
You can refill your bottle in the corner by the window in the Sverdrup eatery, on level 2 in Georg Sverdrups hus. You can also use the tap in the restrooms.
Is there anywhere nearby where I can buy food and drinks?
You can find the Sverdrup eatery and Georg coffee shop on level 2, outside the library premises.
Eating is allowed in the library, but hot food and food that smells or is noisy must be eaten outside the library. Please be considerate and clean up after yourself.
Where do I report if it's too cold or too hot?
Use UiO's Speak up pages. Here you can also report other issues or incidents you want to notify about.
Can I return books when the library is closed?
No, unfortunately. You can only return items during the library's opening hours.
Remember that you can also return items at the other UiO libraries.
Where can I find lost and found items?
Where did you last use it? :-)
You can find lost clothes and similar items under the staircase on level 1 in the library. Valuable items, private books and small personal items are kept at the library desk.
You can also report and search for lost items on UiO.
Can I use my UiO card to enter outside the library's opening hours?
No, that's not possible, but at some of the other UiO libraries you can get access with your UiO card.
Do you have a quiet room for resting?
Yes – it’s located on level U beneath the entrance hall, and may be used for one hour at a time. Book a quiet room in TP. Contact the library desk for the key and registration.
Is the library accessible for people with disabilities?
The library is generally accessible for people with reduced functional ability, but it can be difficult to get between the stacks.
On level 1 there are two work desks with height-adjustable (sit/stand) functionality. Otherwise you must use the booking option in TP: Room booking if you have specific seats or rooms you want to use.
If you need special arrangements, e.g. a permanent seat, please contact the facilitation service at your faculty.
Can I film and take photographs in the library?
Yes – but it often requires prior approval. Read the guidelines for filming and photography. (In norwegian)
Our printed collections
Read more about our extensive collections – books, journals, newspapers, fiction, reference works, papyri, and rare books and other treasures.
See what it's like here
You can enjoy a great view while you read on level 3!
Photo: Anita Pedersen Lørdahl/UiO
Bookshelves on level 3, and reading seats along the windows.
Photo: Anita Pedersen Lørdahl/UiO
Read newspapers, journals and other material here – the area is on level 3, by the printed newspapers and magazine area.
Photo: UiO
Journals and printed newspapers on level 1.
Photo: UiO
The library is located in Georg Sverdrup hus on Blindern campus.
Photo: Anita Pedersen Lørdahl/UiO
Georg Sverdrups hus.
Photo: Jarli & Jordan/UiO
Entrance to the library from the entrance hall in Georg Sverdrup hus.
Photo: Jarli & Jordan/UiO
At the library desk on level 1 you'll meet friendly staff who can help you.
Photo: Jarli & Jordan/UiO
Relax with a good book in the Literature Salon. The salon is located on level U, near the fiction stacks.
Photo: Jarli & Jordan/UiO
You can also play chess or other board games in the Literature Salon.
Photo: Jarli & Jordan/UiO
Events and exhibitions
Welcome to our events! Open to everyone.
Some events are streamed live on Live from UB.
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News
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Open Access Week 2026: The Cost of Knowledge Oct. 12, 2026
From 19 to 25 October, the global research community marks International Open Access Week. This year’s theme is “The Cost of Knowledge”.
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Welcome to the start of studies at the University Library! Aug. 6, 2026
Dear students! August has arrived once again after a long and lovely summer, and we are excited to welcome all students!
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The University Library recommends LGBTQ+ literature June 3, 2026
The University Library's collection contains a lot of LGBTQ+ literature. Here we present subject books and fiction related to lgbtq+ themes, gender and sexuality.
Resources by subject
Find databases, recommended reading, reliable sources, and contact information for the subject librarians at the University Library.