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10AM-5PM

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Library Hours

August 30 to December 22, 2023
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

Fall Exceptions
Tuesday, November 21 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Wednesday, November 22 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thursday, November 23 Closed
Friday, November 24 Closed
Saturday, November 25 Closed
Sunday, November 26 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Extended Hours
Monday Dec 11 - Tuesday Dec 19

Monday, December 11 to Thursday, December 14 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Friday, December 15 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Saturday, December 16 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Sunday, December 17 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Monday, December 18 to Tuesday, December 19 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM

End of Semester
Wednesday, December 20 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Thursday, December 21 to Friday, December 22 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday, December 23 to Monday, January 1 CLOSED

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:




Virtual Study Room

Virtual Study Space

With AOK Library's Virtual Study Room (VSR), you can work alongside your fellow Retrievers for a focused study environment.

The VSR is a Discord server that is available 24/7. Join here: https://discord.gg/urNPbqdgXp.
Find more information about getting started on Discord.
For more information, including hours when student support is available: https://lib.guides.umbc.edu/virtualstudyroom

Virtual Study Space, Conversation Allowed, Group Study, Reservable

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).


Equipment Loan

Did you know that the Library loans laptops and a variety of audio and video equipment? Laptops are available at the Check Out Desk. For everything else, head up to the Digital Media Lab (DML) on the 2nd floor - all equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Full descriptions of the available equipment and instruction manuals are available on the DML homepage. Please take a moment to read the Equipment Loan Policies and Laptop Loan Policies pages for detailed information about the program.


At the Check Out Desk:

Picture of Dell Laptop Dell LATITUDE E6440
Laptop (7 Days)
Available at Check Out Desk;
Click here to see availability.
Picture of MacBook Pro MacBook Pro 13"
Laptop (7 Days)
Available at Check Out Desk;
Click here to see availability.
Picture of HP Chromebook HP Chromebook
(7 Days)
Available at Check Out Desk;
Click here to see availability.
Picture of HP Chromebook HP Chromebook II
(4 Hours)
Available at Check Out Desk;
Click here to see availability.


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.



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Upcoming Events

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

  • Special Collections Open House

    Date: Tuesday December 12th at 1:00pm

    Summary: Join Special Collections faculty, staff, and students on Tuesday December 12 to celebrate our 50th anniversary! Our Reading Room will be open from 1-3pm – see collection highlights, new...


  • StudyCon: Relax and Refuel @ the Library

    Date: Wednesday December 13th at 11:00am

    Summary: It’s Study Day! Make the library your one-stop shop during crunch time this semester-- and make sure you relax and refuel with us before you hunker down at your favorite study spot. At StudyCon...



Library News

  • Update on library laptops
    The library's Macbooks will be available again soon. The Dells will be recalled this week and sent for software updates. We expect the Macbooks and some of the Dells to be available in time for the fall semester.

    We appreciate your patience during this important update process. Chromebooks remain available for four-hour or seven-day loans at the Check Out desk.

    Read more…


  • Circulation Evening Services Supervisor
    Job no: 494255, apply now
    Work type: Staff Full-time
    Location: UMBC Campus

    Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery is seeking a customer-focused individual with supervisory experience to join our team. The selected candidate will supervise staff and student assistants who work during the evening hours in the Circulation Department.

    UMBC offers competitive compensation.  This role starts at $49,619 and has 11 days of vacation as well as winter break, spring break, and personal days for regular full time roles.  Tuition remission is also available. 

    As a member of the Circulation Department’s leadership team, the successful candidate will collaborate on strategic priorities, supervision of student assistants, training goals, and policies and procedures for the department at large. 

    The candidate will ensure that library services are performed safely and efficiently, and library users are served courteously, promptly, and in accordance with the Public Services Division’s values of approachability, cooperation, diversity and inclusion, professionalism, and excellent quality of work. 

    Specific duties include:

    • Supervise staff and students working in the Circulation and Digital Media Lab during evening/weekend hours
    • Perform circulation, and research help transactions for users at the service desk
    • Coordinate hold requests processing and routing of materials to and from other USM-AI libraries

    The work schedule for this position is Monday to Thursday 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon to 8:30 p.m. or Friday 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  This work schedule is subject to change, based on changes in library hours and staffing needs.

    Required Minimum Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s Degree 

    • Three years of experience directly related to the primary duties of this position:  customer service, nature and functions of libraries, and organizational and problem solving skills.  
    • One year in lead supervisory capacity

    • Ability to work independently and exercise initiative in applying rules, procedures, and instructions

    • Ability to work professionally with diverse individuals 

    • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

    • Demonstrated ability to understand and apply principles of quality customer service, teamwork, and conflict resolution

    Note: Additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

    Preferred Qualifications: 

    • Demonstrated skill in planning and coordinating work of others 

    • Demonstrated skill in motivating and training staff  

    • Demonstrated familiarity and proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and Google Suite applications (e.g., mail, calendar)

    Upload a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. 

    UMBC offers a rich benefits package including the following for nonexempt regular employees.

    Generous Leave which includes accruing the following for full time positions:

    • 11 Days of Annual Leave  (increases with years of service)
    • 15 Days of Sick Leave  
    • 15 Holidays
    • 3 Personal Days

    Tuition Remission:

    • 8 credit hours per semester
    • Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

    Additional Benefits:

    • Life and disability insurance
    • Retirement/Pension plan
    • Professional development opportunities
    • Wellness opportunities
    • & Much more

    Contingent II positions may include benefits

    Benefits offered align with type (Regular, Contingent II, etc.) of position. Pay Range 12 (starting at $49,619) based on the University System of Maryland Pay Program.

    This is a full-time position Monday to Thursday 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday 12 Noon – 8:30 p.m. or Friday 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Work schedule is subject to change, based on changes in library hours.

    For more information and to apply for this position, please visit the UMBC Jobs website

    Read more…


  • Library laptop updates
    Beginning on Thursday, July 27, the library Macbooks will be unavailable to renew or check out. Please be mindful of your due dates and return the machines to the Check Out desk; you can then take a Dell or Chromebook to use.

    The Macbooks will be out of circulation for around three weeks, and then we will recall the Dell laptops for updates.

    This process is an important step in keeping the machines updated and we appreciate your patience. The Chromebooks will be available throughout the update period.

    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…