Study Spaces

The Learning Commons on the first floor is a dynamic, collaborative space combining research, technology, and media.

It features individual and group work areas and comfortable and functional seating. Visitors will find a high-speed wireless network and convenient electrical locations for laptops and other devices. Printers for student use are also located in the Commons. 

An Assistive Technology Work Station is in the Learning Commons near the Check-Out Desk. The workstation has an HD/OCR Video Magnifier, screen reading software, and a keyboard with large keys.

The Learning Commons is also the place to interact one-on-one with research specialists and technology experts. These professionals are on hand throughout the day and evening to assist students with their research and learning activities.

The 2nd Floor Study Commons provides opportunities for small group and individual seating. Choose from individual study carrels and larger workstations to spread out materials. One long countertop table provides the option for standing work.   

All workstations in the area provide power outlets for students’ laptops or other devices. High speed wireless is available throughout the space. 

Around the corner from the 2nd Floor Study Commons are two Graduate Study Rooms.

The Selley Study Commons is a quiet study space on the 3rd floor that offers work areas designed for quiet, individual study. The area was named in honor of Paul P. and Elizabeth Selley and the Selley Foundation, which provided the original funds to develop the space into a reading and study area. 

Work areas include: traditional carrel seating, pod workstations (workstation seating in circular sets for single users), and individual lounge seating with built-in tablet arms.   

Group work is welcome in the booth seating of the 1st floor Learning Commons and small group study rooms can be found along the Dixon and Freret sides of the building on the 2nd and 3rd floors, although they are soundproof. Users are asked to be mindful of those studying nearby. 

The Graduate Study Rooms are intended to provide quiet study space for graduate students. Access to the spaces are controlled via Splash card, and seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis rather than assigned.

Please note:

• The entrances are located on the southwest and the northwest sides of the 2nd floor and 3rd floor.  
• All Tulane graduate students regardless of program may use the rooms.
• Seats in the rooms are not reserved but are available to the user as long as they remain in them during available hours.
• The rooms are available during all library hours when the upper floors (2-6) are open.

• Applications for new faculty studies can be made by submitting the Faculty Study Application Form online. Available studies are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• All faculty studies must be renewed on an annual basis. The deadline to renew will be sent via email. If you are currently assigned a study you must fill out the Faculty Study Application Form for renewal before the deadline. You will be able to retain your current study if you renew by the deadline.
• All full-time tenure track and emeritus faculty on the Uptown campus, except those faculty members associated with the Law, Business and Medical Schools, are eligible for faculty studies in the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library. See the Faculty Study Application form for Post-Doctoral Faculty availability.
• Faculty studies are meant primarily for research and scholarship. The studies are not to be used to hold office hours or for storage. Using the study simply for storing books or other materials is not considered an appropriate use. Faculty studies should not be considered personal offices or "belonging" to the faculty member.
• There is regularly a waiting list for faculty studies. In order to meet this demand, we may ask faculty members to share studies. If you are asked to share your study, please be respectful of other faculty research needs. Faculty should work independently to set up schedules to share the study. If you know someone you would like to share a study with, please make a note on the application. Both faculty must submit an application.
• If you would like to request a study in the Latin American Library (LAL), please indicate so on the application form.
• If you are relinquishing your study, please remove all personal items from the study and email htadmin@tulane.edu to set up an appointment to return the key to the Administrative Office. Personal items left in the study will be removed and held by the Administrative Office and held for thirty (30) days. Any keys not returned, unreported damage to the carrels or excessive trash will be charged to the faculty member.