Study Carrels
A research study carrel is an assigned desk in the library. Books may be checked out to the desk and stored there for an extended period of time. Short-term carrel reservations are available for exams, interviews, and remote presentations.
Assignments for carrels are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligibility criteria for each carrel type is listed below.
Apply for a Study Carrel
There is a comment area on the application where you can indicate your preferences.
Carrel Types
Open carrels are located in the University Library towers. They are open to use by other people when the assignee is not there.
Eligible to Apply
- Current graduate students
- Undergraduate students working on a senior honors thesis (must provide letter from advisor to carrelsnul@northwestern.edu when applying)
PhD candidate carrels are shared between two people. The demand for these closed carrels far exceeds supply, but you will join a waitlist by submitting a carrel application. Average wait time is 8 months.
Eligible to Apply
- Current PhD candidates (must provide letter from advisor to carrelsnul@northwestern.edu when applying)
Faculty carrels are single occupancy. The demand for these closed carrels far exceeds supply, but you will join a waitlist by submitting a carrel application.
Eligible to Apply
- Current Northwestern faculty
These closed rooms are quiet spaces that can be used for:
- AI-proctored exams
- Virtual presentations
- Teleconference interviews
- Other reasonable requests
Subject to approval by library staff.
Eligible to Reserve
- Current Northwestern students
- Current Northwestern faculty and staff
Carrel Policies
Please be aware of the following when applying for a carrel:
-
All materials at open carrels must be properly checked out to that carrel. Materials checked out to a carrel may not be removed from the library.
-
Closed carrel holders may store books checked out to their personal account and personal research materials in their carrel.
-
Materials that are not checked out to the carrel should not be kept in carrels.
-
Carrel assignments must be renewed yearly by June 15. Failure to renew by this date will lead to cancellation of the carrel assignment.
-
Carrels are not to be used as office or conference space. Rooms are not soundproof.
-
No furniture or equipment is to be moved from or introduced into a study, except by arrangement with the Circulation Desk. Heating and cooling ducts must not be covered.
-
Report any damage to furniture or equipment immediately to the Circulation Desk.
-
No food or drink of any kind may be kept in closed study carrels.
-
No cooking or heating devices are allowed in the study carrels.
-
The University Libraries cannot guarantee the security of personal belongings in any study space.
-
Any personal electronics abandoned in a study carrel will be disposed of by the University Libraries after 90 days.