Library carrels

About

The libraries have two locations with graduate student study carrels, Wilson Library (West Bank) and Magrath Library (St. Paul Campus). Magrath Library has a limited number of carrels (ten) for faculty and graduate students. Carrels provide quiet study space for projects and research work for which library materials are needed. Carrels are not intended to serve as offices, conference rooms, or storage space and carrel users must adhere to the carrel use agreement.

Magrath Carrels are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
Wilson Carrels are assigned via a lottery and the 2025 Spring Semester form will reopen for graduate students on Monday December 2nd.

Apply for a carrel

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Carrel assignment guidelines

• Graduate carrels are assigned on a per semester basis at the beginning of each semester. Carrels must be cleared of belongings and library materials and vacated by carrel key’s due date. 
• Faculty carrels are assigned as available and are renewed on a yearly basis.

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Carrel use agreement

• Carrels are NOT a secure area. Do not store any valuables in them. The Libraries are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
• All library materials kept in a carrel must be checked out to the carrel user. If not, these materials are essentially missing from the collection. Carrel users not following this rule may have their carrel assignment revoked.
• Please keep your volume level to a minimum. Speaker output is not allowed, and conversations should be kept quiet.
• The Libraries' food and drink policy applies within carrels. All beverages must have lids. Food cannot be cooked in a carrel. Electronic appliances used for food preparation (hot plates, rice cookers, etc) are prohibited.
• Walls and doors cannot be marred with tape, nails, or other hanging devices. Individuals may be charged for significant damage to the carrel.
• Smoking is not permitted in carrels, as per the University's smoke- and tobacco-free policy.
• Carrels are intended for the assigned user only and are not transferable to other users.
• Lost or unreturned carrel keys will result in a $75 rekeying fee; this fee is not refundable if the lost key is later returned. Lost keys should be immediately reported to the Libraries.
• Carrels must be cleared of all personal belongings and library materials when the carrel key is returned. Renewing a carrel online will not affect the actual due date; carrel keys must still be returned by the initial due date assigned.

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Important contacts

Contacts for facilities related issues:

Wilson Library

Carrel questions: wilscirc@umn.edu, 612-624-3321

Facilities information: wilsfom@umn.edu, 612-624-6515 

Magrath Library

For general carrel questions: magrath@umn.edu, 612-624-2233

For facilities related information: stpfom@umn.edu, 612-624-6296

For emergency security issues, dial 9-1-1.

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