UNO > Library Home > Services > Study and Relax in the Library > Graduate Carrel Policy

services: graduate study carrel policy.

The University Library has 50 study carrels available to UNO graduate students to facilitate scholarly research using library resources. Each carrel provides two overhead locking bin spaces, data port, one chair, and one locking file drawer.

Eligible Users
Graduate students who are currently enrolled and in good standing in their respective schools are eligible to apply for a study carrel. Graduate assistants who have office space available to them are not eligible for these carrels. Notification of such office space will result in loss of carrel assignment.

The following list prioritizes those individuals eligible for a carrel:

  1. PhD candidates writing dissertations
  2. Masters students writing theses
  3. PhD candidates preparing for qualifying exams
  4. Masters students preparing for qualifying exams
  5. PhD candidates completing coursework
  6. Masters students completing coursework
  7. Honors students

Application Procedure
Application forms are available at the Circulation Desk or via download and may be submitted at any time during the year. For full consideration, however, the form should be returned before the beginning of the desired semester. Completed applications should be submitted to the Circulation Desk.

Assignment
Carrels are assigned on a per-semester basis and may be renewed for subsequent semesters. The type of assignment (individual or shared use) will depend upon usage and eligibility.

Students receiving a carrel will choose from available carrels on a first-come, first-served basis and may request a specific individual to share the carrel space. The Library will make every attempt to accommodate sharing requests.

As with other official library correspondence, notification of assignment will be distributed via email only to the individuals' UNO / Lotus Notes (@mail.unomaha.edu) account.

If an assigned carrel is not claimed within 2 weeks (keys not picked up, no response to the correspondence is received, etc.), the carrel assignment will be withdrawn and issued to the next student on the waiting list.

Carrel Sharing
In the event of high demand, two students per carrel will be assigned. Given that there is only one workspace, the carrels must be shared on a mutually-agreeable time-share basis: Occupants are encouraged to regularly discuss and agree on time- sharing schedules and the shared file drawer. The Library will not negotiate time-sharing for carrels and is not responsible for personal contents stored in the shared drawer nor the overhead bins.

Carrel Keys
Students will be issued a key to one individual overhead locking bin and a key for the shared file drawer. Keys may not be duplicated or loaned to other individuals. Keys must be returned to the Circulation Desk at the end of the loan period.

Loss of a key or failure to return a key will incur a charge to perform one of the following actions:

  1. create a duplicate key
  2. change the lock.

The library reserves the right to determine the most appropriate course of action. A library hold will be placed on the student's account until payment is made.

Lost keys should be reported immediately to the Circulation Desk. Replacement keys will be made available after payment of required charges.

Carrel Renewals
Notices for carrel renewals will be distributed via email on the following dates:

  • December 10 for the following spring semester
  • May 2 for the following summer semester

Confirmation of renewal or the return of carrel keys is required by the close of the academic semester.

Carrels may be renewed for two consecutive semesters. After one year of carrel assignment, those wishing to renew are required to resubmit eligibility paperwork.

Terms of use

  • Assignment of study carrels is intended to accommodate the need for a place where eligible students can work on a project or conduct research on a regular basis during the period for which the carrel is assigned.
  • Library staff will not divulge carrel assignments to outside parties, as it is confidential information. However, shared carrel occupants are provided the contact information of other carrel occupant.
  • All library policies apply to study carrels, including no use of cell phones.
  • Graduate study carrels are available for use only during the hours the Library is open.
  • Library materials kept in carrels must be checked out to the assigned occupant. Library staff regularly monitor study carrels and will remove any library materials not properly checked out. Library materials located in study carrels are subject to overdue notices, recalls, and other library policies. The carrel assignment will be revoked immediately if the library finds within the carrel: any circulating library property that is not checked out to the assignee and/or non-circulating items such as reference materials and journals.
  • Food is not allowed in library carrels. Please do not consume or store food items in your carrel. Beverages are allowed in covered cups.
  • Personal belongings may be kept in the carrel's locking bins; however, the University of Nebraska at Omaha or the Library does not assume any responsibility for damage to, theft, or loss of personal property kept on or in the carrels and their associated bins and drawers. It is recommended that valuable property, i.e., laptops, cell phones, etc., not be left in the carrels.
  • All library materials left unattended on the carrel work surface will be collected and re-shelved during the regular course of library operations. Additionally, Library staff will conduct periodic carrel inspections of the overhead bins and file drawers.
  • Study carrels are not soundproof. Please be considerate of other library users.
  • Nothing is to be permanently posted or attached in any way to the walls, furniture, or any other surface or area in the carrel.
  • A carrel is to be used exclusively by the person to whom it has been assigned and cannot be loaned or transferred to another party.
  • Carrels not in regular use should be surrendered. If you find that you are not making use of your carrel, please inform Circulation staff and return both keys so that the carrel may be reassigned.