Olin Library Open Carrel Policy

A.     Eligibility

  1. Only currently registered Cornell University graduate students are eligible
  2. Visiting scholars and/or faculty should visit this site to inquire about an Olin Library Faculty Study
  3. Existing carrel holders who become unregistered must give up their carrel

B.     Applications

  1. Complete and submit a New Application web form anytime
  2. Wait at least two (2) weeks for your New Application to be processed
  3. New Applications are processed in the order they are received

C.     Assignments

  1. Carrel assignments are made per availability. New Assignments cannot be changed (See section E below about Transfers)
  2. New applicants receive an email notification when the carrel assignment is ready
  3. There is no fee for an Open Carrel in Olin Library
  4. New Assignments must be picked up in 116 Olin Library during regular business hours (Mon-Thurs 8:30am-4:30pm and Fri 8:30am-3:30pm). Students have two (2) weeks to pick up their assignment

D.     Renewals

  1. Carrels must be renewed online every Fall and Spring semester to allow uninterrupted use of the carrel
  2. Renewal reminders are delivered to carrel holders by email prior to the start of each semester
  3. Complete and submit a Renewal web form during a Renewal period
  4. There is no fee to renew
  5. A Transfer may be requested (see section E below)

E.      Transfers

  1. Select to Transfer your carrel assignment on the Renewal web form during a Renewal period. Use the text box provided on the form to describe your transfer request (ex. "carrel with an outlet", "7th floor", etc.)
  2. Once the Renewal period has ended, Transfers will start being processed
  3. Transfer requests are fulfilled in the order they are received and are subject to availability
    • If a Transfer is denied, the existing carrel is renewed for that semester
    • If a Transfer is granted, Circulation staff must move all library checked items to the new carrel. THE CARREL HOLDER CANNOT MOVE THE CHECKED LIBRARY MATERIALS - THIS MUST BE DONE BY OUR STAFF- NO EXCEPTIONS  
    • Carrel holders must move any personal items to the new carrel
    • Carrel holders should check all new items to their new carrel while waiting for their checked items to be relocated

F.      Clearing a Carrel

  1. Carrels that are not renewed will be cleared. All library books are sent back to the stacks and any personal items found at the carrel are taken to 116 Olin Library’s Lost and Found
  2. Renewal forms have an option to clear the carrel. This may be submitted through the web form, and the carrel will be cleared

G.     Maintaining the Carrel

  1. See Charging materials to an Olin Library Open Carrel for more details
  2. NOT ALLOWED: smoking, eating, cell phone use, group study, books from other libraries, or personal books
  3. ALLOWED: drinks with approved lids, books from Olin, Kroch and the Annex with charge slips in them
  4. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THE SAFETY OF ANY PERSONAL ITEMS LEFT AT OPEN CARRELS
  5. Please be advised that there is no policy barring other patrons from sitting at your carrel when you are not there. For the protection of your materials, when not using your carrel, please keep the desktop and windowsill area in order and free of loose papers

last update: 1/27/07

RETURN to main Carrels and Lockers page


Olin and Uris Libraries, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853
PSA: Public Services and Assessment
Information and reference: 607-255-4144, okuref@cornell.edu
Circulation: (Olin) 607-255-4245, (Uris) 607-255-3537, olincirc@cornell.edu