Scholar Studies Information

Overview > Availability > Details > Expectations

Overview:

The Baker-Berry Library makes available 49 studies to individuals in support of their scholarly activities.

The library considers the status of the applicant, the nature of the intended use, and the willingness to share a study when making
assignments.

Sample purposes for which a study is assigned include:

• Writing a book, research paper, or thesis
• Preparation for a course
• Preparation of College planning reports and official documents
• Projects using library materials extensively

Availability:

The library offers a combination of single occupancy studies and shared studies based on status and need.

Details:

Study Assignments: Available
15th September; 15th December;
15th March; 15th June

• All studies, including the year-long studies, are assigned on a quarterly rotation.

Study Applications: Due (Download application - PDF)
1st September; 1st December;
1st March; 1st June

• Applications for all study types are due at least 2 weeks before the quarterly assignment dates.

Study Expirations: Occur
8th September; 8th December;
8th March; 8th June

• Study assignments, including some year-long studies, expire on a quarterly rotation.
• A current study occupant may be asked to vacate the study if the number of applications exceeds the number of available studies.

Study Renewals: Requests Due
22nd August; 22nd November;
22nd February; 22nd May

• A study occupant may request a renewal two weeks prior to the expiration date. A renewal may be granted if there are no pending applications.
• Renewal decisions are based on the number of consecutive study renewals by the current occupant.

Expectations:

• Scholar studies are very popular spaces and there can be a waitlist for studies. Lockers are available throughout Baker-Berry and Sherman libraries for anyone assigned to the waitlist.
• Because of limited space, the studies are assigned for given periods of time with an expiration date for each occupant. All occupants have certain obligations and responsibilities that are outlined in an agreement that is signed prior to occupancy.
• A $25 refundable key deposit is collected from each occupant at the time the agreement is signed.
• All studies are equipped with a desk, chair, bookcase and light. There are Ethernet ports but phone usage (cell or land line) is not allowed in the study areas.
• The studies are only open during regular library hours.
• All library material must be checked out prior to being housed in the studies. Library staff may occasionally enter the studies to ensure that library materials are checked out to the study occupant.
• Usage of the studies may be monitored at random. Each occupant is expected to return monitoring sheets within a one week time frame to confirm that they are using the study.
• Studies are not meant for multi-media projects that would increase noise in the area.
  There is a no smoking policy in effect for the library studies.

Faculty/Visiting Faculty/Administrators:

• Scholar studies are not substitute offices and are assigned only to the individual signing the agreement. They may not be secondarily reassigned by the occupant without consultation with the library. Spouses/ partners must apply separately for study spaces and are never automatically guaranteed space in a study.
• Recalled items will not be retrieved from the study for the occupant.  The faculty member is responsible for returning books prior to leaving the area for extended periods of time.
• A faculty member who is planning to be away on a foreign study program or a leave of absence must relinquish the study prior to leaving the area.  All library and personal materials must be removed from the study by the faculty member.  The faculty member’s department will be contacted regarding any needed arrangements for materials left in a study.  The library will not be responsible for moving the contents of the study.

Visiting scholars:

• Visiting scholars must have official appointment letters and be eligible for a Dartmouth library card.

Graduate and Undergraduate thesis writers:

• Thesis studies are shared by 2 occupants to better serve the graduate and undergraduate population.
• The coordinator will e mail a letter of application to the thesis advisor after a request is made by a student. Upon receipt of the returned form, the student will be put on a waitlist for a study.
• Studies are only assigned for one term at a time. In order to make it equitable for all, those who have not had a study before, will be given preference over those that have had a study.
• These assignments are for the approved occupants only and may never be reassigned or shared with a non approved occupant.