Individual Study Rooms
Please note that our study room policy has changed. Members may now have up to five active reservations at a time. Once that limit has been reached, they must use or cancel a reservation in order to make another.
The Library has six individual study rooms available to members for writing and laptop use on the Fifth Floor. If you are interested in reserving one of these rooms, please read the Individual Study Room Rules.
Members can make reservations by emailing requests@nysoclib.org; view availability here.
The Library also has many other reading & study spaces available on a first-come first-served basis. Please visit the Hornblower Room on the Fifth Floor, the Whitridge Room and Little Whit on the Third Floor, and the desks in the books stacks. The Members' Room on the Second Floor is reserved as a laptop and keyboard-free space.
Individual Study Rooms Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I reserve a room?
- How many reservations can I make?
- Is there any restriction on the amount of time I may reserve?
- I'm running late. How long will you hold the room?
- Something came up. May I change my reservation?
- If I just show up without a reservation, may I use a room if one is available?
- I need to interview someone. May we conduct the interview in one of the rooms?
- If I keep the door closed, may I use my cell phone to make a call?
- May my child use the rooms?
- Are the rooms wheelchair-accessible?
How do I reserve a room?
Any Library member age 18 or older, is welcome to reserve time in one of the study rooms. Please read the Individual Study Room Rules. Members can make reservations by emailing requests@nysoclib.org; view availability here.
How many reservations can I make?
Members may have up to five active reservations at a time. Once that limit has been reached, they must use or cancel a reservation in order to make another.
Is there any restriction on the amount of time I may reserve?
You may reserve a study room for the entire day.
I'm running late. How long will you hold the room?
We will hold your reservation until 11am Monday - Friday and 12pm Saturday - Sunday. After those times, we offer it to the first person on the waitlist.
Something came up. May I change my reservation?
Reservations may be changed until 15 minutes before closing time of the night before. On the day of your reservation, you cannot change it or reschedule it.
If I just show up without a reservation, may I use a room if one is available?
You may. Occasionally, space in a room opens up due to cancelation or no-show. In these instances, the first person on the waitlist will get it for the day.
I need to interview someone. May we conduct the interview in one of the rooms?
The study rooms are for individual use only. You may not have more than one person in the room at any time.
If I keep the door closed, may I use my cell phone to make a call?
Cell phone use is prohibited throughout the Library. Should you need to make a telephone call, we ask that you step outside.
May my child use the rooms?
You must be 18 years or older to use the study rooms. If your child is under the age of 18, he or she may not use the study rooms.
Are the rooms wheelchair-accessible?
Two of the six rooms were designed to accommodate a wheelchair. Should you require one of the wheelchair-accessible rooms, please alert the person at the Circulation Desk who is taking your reservation. We will be happy to accommodate you.