In Spain, large universities have many libraries like UNC-Chapel Hill. They tend to be restricted to the university community or independent researchers with a letter of introduction from a university faculty member.

You may need to show your ID to gain access to libraries or computer labs. The first time you go to the library, be sure to bring your Spanish student ID card, your home address and phone number in Spain, and your passport.

In Spain, there are no undergraduate libraries, and the main libraries may not house a large, central research collection like Davis Library. Instead, each facultad has its own library.

In these discipline-focused libraries, much less study space is available to students than in the U.S. Available seating may very well be less comfortable and quite basic by American standards, with desks closer together and less "elbow room" overall. Nevertheless, places to study in libraries are in high demand. Reserving seats is not allowed, and you are not allowed to leave your belongings at a desk for more than a brief period. Food and drinks of any kind, in any container, and use of cell phones are prohibited.

There are sometimes designated study halls/areas at the facultades, but students may also study at home, in a cafe, or al fresco in a park or plaza.

For those who intend to work with historical primary source materials and archives, note that these materials may be housed in a special library, archives, or administrative central branch, in a building all their own.