RensSearch: Individual Study Rooms

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Individual Study Rooms

Approximately 20 Library Study Rooms are available in the Folsom Library for semester-long assignment to individual Rensselaer faculty, research staff, and graduate students who are engaged in library-oriented phases of research.

Because the number of individual study rooms is small, most rooms are assigned on a lottery basis at the start of each semester. However, faculty requests for personal study space are considered on a case-by-case basis with assignments made from available unassigned study rooms.

Application forms can be obtained from the Folsom Circulation Desk or use this pdf form for a printable copy. Applications must be signed and submitted in person to the Circulation Desk.

Applications for an upcoming semester's assignment are accepted starting 1 month prior to the first day of classes of the upcoming semester. Room assignments for the summer months cover all summer semesters (approx. 15 weeks).

Room assignments are made by selectiing applications in order of their random draw from all applications on the first day of classes of each semester. Applicants will be notified of room assignment by email; or they may contact the Circulation Desk directly.

Room assignments are made in accordance with the following practices:

Assignment to a study room "chair" is exclusive unless applicants have indicated their willingness to share room use on their applications. Multiple assignments are made only after all rooms have been initially assigned and are limited to 2 persons per chair. Multiple registrants to a room must arrange their own access schedules.
The names of applicants who do not initially receive room assignments and who have indicated their interest in gaining a delayed assignment on their application will be retained on a "Waiting List " and will be notified as vacancies occur during the semester.
Room assignments from the "Waiting List" are made in order of their selection from the initial assignment lottery. Persons assigned to a room from the "Waiting List" will be considered as having had access for the entire semester.
Room assignments are not renewable. Individuals must apply for assignment by lottery each semester.

Conditions of Study Room Use

The Libraries reserve the right to inspect Study Rooms at any time and to remove unauthorized material or prohibited items. Room privileges will be canceled if unauthorized materials are found more than once.

1. - Access keys can be signed out to registrants from the Folsom Circulation Desk. Because the number of available keys is limited, registrants sharing a study room may have to sign out keys on an hourly basis.

2. - Registrants failing to return a room key at the end of the assignment period will be fined $50. A fine of $25.00 will be assessed for the loss of a key during the assignment period. A fine of $10.00 will be assessed for the late return of a key signed out on an hourly basis.

3. - Room access privileges will be lost if a registrant either does not sign out a room key within 10 days from the room assignment posting or if library staff determine that room usage is low and there are names on the 'Waiting List.'

4. - Registrants are equally liable for damage to furniture and equipment if individual responsibility cannot be determined.

5. - The Libraries assume no responsibility for the loss of or damage to any personal property left in a study room. Personal property left in a room after the expiration date will be treated as abandoned property.

6. - Smoking is prohibited.

7. - No food, beverage, or chemical may be stored in a Study Room. Open containers of food, beverages or chemicals are subject to confiscation and disposal; but packaged snacks and beverages in closed containers are permitted.

8. - Hot plates, water heaters, and other small appliances are prohibited. Typewriters, microcomputers and calculators are permitted.

9. - Windows may not be obstructed.

10. - No journals, reference books, documents or other library materials may be left in a Study Room without the permission of the Circulation Desk. Library materials with expired loans will be removed upon discovery.