Spaces for Learning: Libraries Study Rooms

“Study rooms give me a tranquil and relaxing space to get lots of work done on late nights!” – Brenne Sheehan, Class of 2027
Syracuse University Libraries’ Strategic Plan emphasizes student thriving, belonging and community. Access to the Libraries’ study rooms support our goals by providing collaborative and productive spaces to work, research and cultivate academic communities. The Libraries offer group, individual, quiet, reservable and open spaces for students, faculty and staff to find the workplace that suits their needs.
For those who are looking for individual or small group rooms, Bird Library contains 39 individual study rooms, 6 small group study rooms and 9 team rooms. Small group rooms can accommodate 2 to 3 students and team rooms can accommodate up to 5 students. Some individual study rooms are reservable, and others are available on a first-come, first served basis. These rooms are one of the most popular services provided at Bird library, and are used by students for academic work, job interviews, and attending virtual classes. Carnegie Library also offers 3 reservable Team Rooms for 2 to 4 students.
Small group and team rooms are the perfect place to work on projects, practice presentations, conference virtually, conduct job interviews, or conduct research or study sessions with peers. Rooms are available for use by current Syracuse University or SUNY-ESF students for up to three hours at a time. Team Rooms provide technology including a large screen monitor with HDMI cables to connect to 4 laptops, as well as a whiteboard. Users can also borrow other technology from the Check Out desk for use in the study rooms, including whiteboards and markers that can be transported to any room.
In addition to these more widely available study rooms, Bird Library also has 48 private long-term study rooms that are reserved for an entire semester by eligible faculty and ABD (all but dissertation) doctoral students
This past year we have implemented some changes to improve our study rooms, including adding “sensory friendly” rooms. There are 8 reservable Sensory Friendly rooms and 2 that can be requested first come, first served. All sensory friendly rooms include dimmable lamps and controllable overhead lights, sensory discs and fidget items.
The Libraries continue to gather feedback, and we have added QR codes for each room to understand users’ needs. Our goal is to provide the collaborative and productive spaces our students, faculty and staff need to work, research and cultivate academic communities.