UMBC
Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

The Innovation Lab is OPEN

Meet the new library AOK OneSearch: Primo

Ask a Librarian chat help is available M-F
10AM-5PM

Request a purchase for the library collection

Schedule an online research appointment with a subject librarian


Library Hours

Spring Semester Hours

January 27 – May 23, 2025
Building Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Exceptions
Spring Break
Sunday, March 16 - Wednesday, March 19 CLOSED
Thursday, March 20 - Friday, March 21 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday, March 22 CLOSED
Sunday, March 23 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Finals - Extended Hours
Monday, May 12 – Thursday, May 15 8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday, May 16 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday, May 17 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday, May 18 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Monday, May 19 – Tuesday, May 20 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM
End of Semester
Wednesday, May 21 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday, May 22 – Friday, May 23 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM


Please make an appointment to use a study space and to visit Special Collections.


Places to Study

Choose one or more to find the right space for you:




Table and whiteboard in a Study Room

Group Study Rooms

These 16 rooms are available to any UMBC faculty, students, or staff. You can reserve one ahead up to five days in advance. Reservations are limited to 3 hours per person or group each day. Book yours today!

Group Study, Conversation Allowed, Whiteboards, Computers, Reservable

Table with seating for one in a Study Room

Individual Study Rooms

These 6 rooms are available to any UMBC faculty, students, or staff. You can reserve one ahead up to five days in advance. Reservations are limited to 3 hours per person each day. Book yours today!

Individual Study, Conversation Allowed, Quiet, Reservable

Booth, computer, and whiteboard in the Retriever Learning Center RLC

Retriever Learning Center (RLC)

The RLC is UMBC's best place for lively group study, scholarly discussion, collaboration, and academic coaching. This room features comfortable, mobile furniture so that students can design their own study spaces. Movable white boards and large monitors allow for collaboration.

Group Study, Conversation Allowed, Whiteboards, 24-hour, Computers, Individual Study

Large conference table in the Retriever Learning Center Seminar Room

Richard Roberts Seminar Room (140)

This room in the RLC is available to UMBC students, faculty, and staff. It contains a small conference table, large-screen monitor, and a projector with cables to connect to your laptop. Reserve the seminar room for your group for periods up to 2 hours.

Group Study, Conversation Allowed, Reservable, 24-hour, Whiteboards, Presentation Space

Door of Lactation Room

Lactation Room (755)

The Library is pleased to offer a Lactation Room for its users who need a private space to express breast milk. The room includes a table, two chairs, an outlet and power strip, and sanitizing wipes. It is located close to the restrooms on the 7th floor. It may be reserved for up to one hour, up to 5 days in advance. A key is also available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Check Out Desk on the Library's first floor. Reserve the Lactation Room for periods up to 1 hour.

Reservable, Quiet, Individual Study, Specialty

Open study room doors

Open Study Rooms

These 12 rooms are left open for students to use on a first-come, first-served basis. Each room has four seats. Room numbers are listed here.

Individual Study, Conversation Allowed

Podium and screen in the Presentation Practice Room

Presentation Practice Room (257)

This room has been set up for students to practice giving presentations, speeches, etc. Bring your flash drive to plug into our one-button recording system - when you're finished, you'll have a recording of your presentation to critique. Reserve the Presentation Practice Room. Reservations are not required but do take precedence over walk-up appointments. You can check out the key at the Check Out desk.

Presentation Space, Conversation Allowed, Group Study, Individual Study, Reservable

Digital Media Lab Mac and scanner

Digital Media Lab (DML)

The Digital Media Lab is open to all UMBC students, faculty, and staff and contains a Whisper Room, an Audio/Video Recording Room, and computer workspaces with editing software. Book time in the Whisper Room or Audio/Video Recording Room here. For information on hours and available equipment, please visit the DML homepage.

Creation Space, Computers, Reservable, Group Study, Individual Study, Conversation Allowed

Rows of chairs and screen in the Screening Room

Screening Room (258)

Our Screening Room is designed for groups to view films. It features a Blu-ray/DVD player, Windows computer, HD Plasma TV, and VHS player. A minimum of 3 people is required to use the room. Reserve the Screening Room. Reservations are not required but do take precedence over walk-up appointments. You can check out the key at the Check Out desk.

Reservable, Conversation Allowed, Presentation Space

Doors and windows of faculty study rooms

Faculty Study Rooms

These 32 rooms are available to UMBC faculty, as well as visiting and Emeritus faculty. They are assigned each semester; to apply for a room, please fill out an application form.

Individual Study, Quiet, Reservable

Workstation in an Assistive Technology Room

Assistive Technology Rooms

Ask at the Check Out desk to access Room 455. It is equipped with Jaws screenreader software, magnifiers, and scanners. Learn more about assistive technology facilities.

Individual Study, Computers

Stairwell from first to second floor

Floors 1, 2, and 7

The first, second, and seventh floors of the AOK Library have 160 computers (both Macs and PCs) for student use, as well as printers, scanners, and photocopiers.

Individual Study, Group Study, Computers, Conversation Allowed

Study tables

Floors 3 and 4

The third and fourth floors of the AOK Library are designated Quiet areas, so please keep volume to a whisper. These floors have 22 (PCs) for student use.

Quiet, Individual Study, Computers

Quiet sign and book stacks on Floor 5

Floors 5 and 6

The fifth and sixth floors of the AOK Library are designated Absolute Quiet areas at all times. These floors have 32 computers (PCs) for student use.

Individual Study, Absolute Quiet, Computers

Group table and large monitor in the 2nd Floor Study Area

2nd Floor Study Area

Head up to the 2nd floor and take a left at the Serials sign - there you'll find a group study space featuring whiteboards, big tables, and large monitors with cables to connect to your laptop.

Group Study, Whiteboards, Conversation Allowed

Chair near the windows in the Library Atrium

Atrium

The entry hall of the library is a vibrant social and conversation space. It is open 24 hours a day.

Individual Study, Group Study, 24-hour, Conversation Allowed

Lockers

Daily Lockers

Daily lockers are available to UMBC students, faculty, and staff for a 24 hour period. Daily locker keys are checked out at the Check Out Desk. For more information, please visit the Locker page.

Lockers

Semester Lockers

Semester lockers are a great place for UMBC students, faculty, and staff to store their study materials. They are assigned each semester; to apply for a locker, please fill out an application form. For more information, please visit the Locker page.

Reservable

Table and screen in the Collaboration Room

Collaboration Room (368)

This room is available to UMBC students, faculty, and staff. It contains a small conference table and a smart TV with Chromecast, which allows a laptop, tablet or smartphone to stream content to the screen. Reserve this room for your group of 3-7 people for periods up to 3 hours. You can find instructions for how to use Chromecast here (Note: the Chromecast device is already connected to the room screen).

Presentation Space, Conversation Allowed, Group Study, Reservable

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Printing in the Library

Where can I print?

  • You can print from any of our computers.
  • You can print from any laptop or mobile device using Pharos MobilePrint.
  • You must release and pick up the print job on the 1st, 2nd, or 7th floor, or in the RLC.

How much does it cost?

  • Black and white: $0.10 per side
  • Color: $0.70 per side

How do I pay?

  • UMBC Campus ID card
    Add more money online using a credit card or add cash at the Campus Information Center (Commons) or Student Business Services (Admin).

Still have questions about printing?


UMBC Campus ID card

Equipment Loan

The Library loans laptops and a variety of audio/video equipment. You can request a laptop using the links below and pick it up from the Circulation desk. Audio/video equipment is available at the Digital Media Lab (DML) on a first-come, first-served basis. Please take a moment to read the Equipment Loan Policies and Laptop Loan Policies pages for detailed information about the program.

From March 3 to May 16, you can request select models of DML equipment. Read more at the DML Holds Pilot Program page.


At the Circulation Desk:

Picture of Dell Laptop Dell Latitude
Laptop (7 Days) 		Available at Circulation Desk;
Click here to see availability and place a hold.
Picture of MacBook Pro MacBook Pro
Laptop (7 Days)		 Available at Circulation Desk;
Click here to see availability and place a hold.
Picture of HP Chromebook HP Chromebook
(7 Days)		 Available at Circulation Desk;
Click here to see availability and place a hold.
Picture of HP Chromebook HP Chromebook
(7 Hours)		 Available at Circulation Desk;
Click here to see availability and place a hold.


In the Digital Media Lab:

The Digital Media Lab has a variety of A/V equipment for use and checkout. Click here to see what's available.



Upcoming Events

 Other events scheduled in the Library can be found on the full Events page.

  • Writing Wednesday Workshop: How to Cite Sources for your Research & Writing

    Date: Wednesday April 2nd at 12:00pm

    Summary: Do you have questions about how to cite and incorporate sources in your writing assignments? Show your skill as an academic writer & researcher and avoid accidental plagiarism by learning how...

  • Creating an Academic Research Poster Using PowerPoint

    Date: Thursday April 3rd at 12:00pm

    Summary: An academic research poster is a visual communication tool that allows you to present your research in a clear, concise, graphic format. Learn how to create a poster that stands out. In this...

  • Wandering Stars: Dresher Reads Book Discussion

    Date: Monday April 7th at 12:00pm

    Summary: Join the conversation! Participate in a book discussion of Wandering Stars, a novel by best-selling author Tommy Orange. A follow-up to his acclaimed debut, Wandering Stars traces the legacies of...

  • Using Microsoft Azure for Human Subject Research Data

    Date: Wednesday April 9th at 1:00pm

    Summary: Microsoft Azure allows researchers to design a regulated cloud environment for sensitive data, protecting the privacy of human research subjects’ personal data. In this session, you’ll learn how...

  • How to Conduct a Preliminary U.S. Patent Search

    Date: Thursday April 17th at 12:00pm

    Summary: Patent searching can be a daunting and overwhelming process. Come learn how to conduct preliminary patent searches of U.S. patents and published applications using free online resources of the USPTO.

  • Writing Wednesday Workshop: Finding Your Flow: Navigating Final Papers

    Date: Wednesday April 30th at 12:00pm

    Summary: Do you need a supportive space to finish up your spring semester writing projects? Join members of the UMBC Writing Center in a collective writing space where you can ask questions and/or write in...


Library News

  • New! Place a hold on DML equipment
    The Digital Media Lab will accept hold requests on two equipment categories (cameras and projectors) between March 3–May 16, 2025 as part of a pilot program.

    After you place a request, you'll enter a queue and receive the next item when it becomes available. You will pick it up from the Circulation desk within one (1) day and keep it for one week (no renewals).

    Due to our limited supply, you may only have one active request per category and we cannot guarantee a specific date of availability. Our regular loan policies and late fines will apply.

    Visit our LibGuide at https://lib.guides.umbc.edu/dml-holds for complete details, a step-by-step process, and links to the equipment records. Direct any specific questions to circlib-group@umbc.edu.

    Read more…

  • Skill Session with the Public Stories Lab
    The Digital Media Lab is teaming up with the Public Stories Lab for an immersive skills-based workshop on Wednesday, February 26. 

    Visitors will learn about our recording spaces and equipment in the context of storytelling projects.

    Date: Wednesday, February 26
    Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM
    Location: Library DML in 216H (2nd floor near Honors College)

    This workshop is limited to 25 participants. To register and learn more, visit the PSL event page.

    Read more…

  • Farewell to the Virtual Study Room
    The Library's Virtual Study Room is graduating! We have been proud to offer this online study and support space as a resource for students, especially during and in the years following COVID. As we move forward, the VSR will be closing down on December 21 to allow us to prioritize other library services. 

    It has been a pleasure to watch the VSR grow over the past years and we know it has been a special place for many of you! We look forward to seeing you in the Library and hope you will continue to take advantage of all that we have to offer.
     
    A huge thank you to our student staff who developed, supported, and maintained the space in Discord: noshsplice1, wingsofmorning, and theclowncorp. You're the best!

    Read more…

  • ICPSR Short Workshops
    Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) Summer Program short workshops feature instruction in a specific statistical technique or research method over the period of a week or two. They offer short workshops in a range of topics, including machine learning, mixed methods, causal inference, quantitative methods to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and more.

    For online short workshops, you can participate synchronously via Zoom or watch lecture recordings asynchronously at your convenience. ICPSR also offers several in-person short workshops for those topics that rely on in-person learning and collaboration. In ICPSR short workshops, you’ll have direct access to  exceptional faculty, as well as extended access to lecture recordings and workshop materials until December 31, 2023.

    UMBC is a member of ICPSR so anyone affiliated with UMBC attend at the member price. 

    For more information on ICPSR short workshops and other summer programs, visit the program overview.

    Read more…

  • ORCID Workshop for Researchers
    When: Thurs. May 11, 2023 at 2-3pm Eastern/ 1-2pm Central/ 12-1pm Mountain/11am-12pm Pacific

    Getting and using your free ORCID iD and ORCID record can help you save time and get credit for your work in funding, publishing, and research reporting workflows. Funding organizations, publishers, and research institutions are increasingly requiring or asking for ORCID iDs from researchers, so this workshop will help you make sure you are ahead of the game.

    In this workshop, we will cover:
    ● An overview of the benefits of ORCID for researchers
    ● How ORCID can help you save time throughout the research landscape
    ● Tips and tricks for keeping your ORCID record up-to-date

    No prior experience with ORCID necessary. The session recording will be sent to all who register. See you there!

    Read more…