Due to COVID-19, Barnard Library is closed until further notice, with continuing of select library services. Please understand there may be interruptions in service as we support staff in this challenging time. Reach out to library@barnard.edu about course reserves, materials renewals, or fines and other questions, and refdesk@barnard.edu for research consultations and library instruction. See the IMATS site for assistance with distance learning.

Spaces for

Studying & Collaboration

Study Rooms

Barnard and Columbia students are welcome to reserve study rooms in the Barnard Library at the Milstein Center on the first, second, or third floors. You can see all study rooms with their capacity and availability on the reservation website.

Here are our study room guidelines:

Barnard and Columbia students may reserve the study rooms at tinyurl.com/BarnLibRooms
Study rooms are for use by Barnard and Columbia students (faculty and staff, please use different spaces)
Limit your use to up to 4 consecutive hours and up to 4 hours each day (total for all rooms)
Cancel your reservation if you’re not using it
Take your belongings with you when you go, your reservation holds your spot
Come on in if there are no people in the room - you're welcome to use it until someone with a reservation arrives
Study rooms may be used for groups or individuals, for discussion or quiet study, for study, resting, meeting, eating
Share with kindness!

Floor 1: Socialize & Study

The first floor is a great place to grab a table with friends and do some work together. Talking and socializing are allowed and encouraged! There are whiteboards available for collaborative work, and there are 2 study rooms. The first floor is also home to Peet's Coffee, and many of our Academic Centers.

Floor 1 Map

Floor 2: Collaborative Work

students collaborating on the couches

This floor is aimed at groups and individuals - talking is allowed and encouraged! This floor has 4 adjustable height carrels, 2 study rooms, and 10 computer stations.

This floor is also home to the Circulation & Help Desk, the IMATS Equipment Desk, the Zine Library, and the Library Instructional Classroom. The computers in the Library Instructional Classroom are available for students when the space is not in use.

Floor 2 Map

Floor 3: Independent Work & Conversations

Students studying on the the third floor near the collections

This floor is geared toward individual study, but please feel free to talk quietly and respectfully with those around you. There are also 5 study rooms and 4 adjustable height carrels available.

Floor 3 Map

Floor 4: Independent Work

tables for studying near the stacks

This floor is designed to the quietest floor of Barnard Library. Please refrain from talking. If necessary, please whisper or speak in a low voice.

It is also home to the Archives Reading Room, which is open from 10:30am to 5:00pm.

Floor 4 Map

Floor 5: Vagelos Computational Science Center

Chairs and whiteboard in math/cs collaborative space

The Vagelos Computational Science Center is on the fifth floor of library. Their Math/CS Collaborative Space (Milstein 502) has comfortable seating, projectors, whiteboards, and blackboards and is an ideal spot for working on group projects. It is also home to the Math and CS help rooms. The CSC lounge (Milstein 514) offers a more relaxed space, and is meant for both socializing and studying.