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Students in small study carrels

Come to UAB Libraries to find the space that best fits your needs, whether you’re studying solo or meeting with a group.

UAB Libraries offer a variety of study spaces in both Lister Hill and Sterne libraries. From single-user carrels for quiet study to large group rooms designed for collaboration, the Libraries offer reservable, well-equipped and comfortable spaces on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lister Hill Library

Lister Hill Library has 19 study room spaces available for currently enrolled UAB students or current members of the UAB Community seeking to hold short term collaborative or individual study sessions. Reservations can be made online the same day or up to two weeks in advance. Persons making a room reservation must report to the Lister Hill Library HUB Service Desk to check-in, and all group reservations require two or more persons at check-in before a group can enter a group study room.

  • Who can reserve a study room?
    • Any individual with a valid UAB ONE Card can reserve a study room.
    • Group study rooms require two or more individuals to secure a room reservation.
    • We apologize, but due to limited space, reservations are only available to members of the UAB community.
  • What equipment and types of study rooms are available?
    • Nineteen study rooms are available for use for up to three hours per day/per user; there are 14 group study rooms and five single study rooms.
    • Study rooms have a glass board, markers and erasers, ethernet ports for wired internet access, TV monitors and access to UAB WIFI.
    • Room 155 contains a collaboration station with teleconferencing capabilitie; this room will seat up to 10 persons.
    • Each study room contains disinfecting wipes for cleaning.
  • How long are study rooms available?

    Reservations are limited to three consecutive hours per day per person.

    • Study rooms may be reserved on the current day and up to two weeks in advance.
    • Reservations are only held for 15 minutes.
    • The individual who made the study room reservation must report to the LHL HUB desk to check-in with their UAB ONE Card.
    • At least two members of a group must be present in at check-in before a group may occupy a study room.
    • Leaving items in a room does not constitute a reservation; items left unattended in a study room for longer than 15 minutes may be removed by library staff, and the room will be released to allow another reservation.
  • Restrictions
    • Rooms are not intended for continuing activities such as classes or standing meetings.
    • Lister Hill Library is not responsible for personal items left in study rooms rooms; items left unattended in study rooms for longer than 15 minutes may be removed by library staff.
    • Study room walls, furnishings, and glass boards must not be defaced.
    • No pictures or other items may be attached to the study room walls or surfaces; study room windows or door glass must not be covered in any way.
    • Anyone using a study room is expected to clean up after themselves and leave the room in good condition. Glass boards must be erased at the end of all reservations. Disinfecting wipes and erasers are provided for room cleaning.
  • Reservation Procedures

    Reservations can be made in person, by phone (205-975-4821), and online (online reservations are encouraged).

    If submitting a reservation by phone, please be prepared provide the following information:

    • Name, phone number, email address and school affiliation
    • Date and time of the reservation (i.e., 2-5 pm)

    *Report to the LHL HUB desk to check-in at the time of the reservation

    Check online or contact the Lister Hill Library HUB desk with any questions about the study room reservation schedule.

Revised August 2023



Sterne Library

Sterne Library has 75 study rooms that individuals with a UAB ONE Card may reserve on a first-come, first-serve basis.

There are 61 single rooms and 14 group study rooms; ten of the group study rooms are on the first floor and four are on the third floor. All single study rooms are located on the third floor. These rooms are available for currently enrolled UAB students or current members of the UAB community seeking to hold short-term collaborative or individual study sessions. Reservations can be made online the same day or up to two weeks in advance. Persons making a room reservation must report to the Sterne Library HUB Service Desk to check-in.  For group study rooms, there must be at least two group members present in order to check-in.

To avoid long lines, students are encouraged to make reservations online prior to coming to the library.

Study Carrels

The library has 61 single study rooms available on the third floor of the Sterne Library.

  • A UAB ONECard is required to check out carrels.
  • Use of study carrels is limited to one person at a time.
  • These rooms will accommodate one person.

  • Who can borrow a study carrel, and for how long?

    All students, faculty, and alumni with a UAB ONE or Alumni card who are seeking a place for intensive short-term study may use carrels.

    Carrels may be checked out for one three-hour period with no renewals. Rooms may be checked out for three consecutive hours per day, per person. Study carrels cannot be reserved in advance.

  • Restrictions
    • Rooms are not intended for continuing activities such as classes or standing meetings.
    • The library is not responsible for items left in rooms.
    • Walls, furnishings, and glass must not be defaced. No pictures or other items may be attached to the walls or surfaces.
    • Windows or door glass must not be covered in any way.
    • Individuals must clean up after themselves and leave the room in good condition.

Revised August 2023

Study Rooms

Individuals with a UAB ONE or Alumni card may reserve these rooms: Patrons must provide their name and UAB email address when booking a room. These study rooms are for one person and provide access to the UAB WiFi.

These rooms may be checked out with a UAB ONE Card at the Sterne HUB Desk.

  • Reservations are limited to three consecutive hours per person, per day and can be made as early as two weeks in advance. (All single study rooms MUST have only one person).
  • Person with information matching the reservation will be the only person who can claim the reservation. 
  • Room reservations are only held for a 15-minute assembly time; groups assembling after that time may forfeit their reservation.

Please note: When booking a room, you must make a reservation that blocks all three hours if you wish to keep the room for that amount of time.

View the Sterne Library room policies.

Meeting Room - Sterne SL 174

The Sterne Library has a meeting space available for use by others on campus.

Reserve SL 174 using the online reservation request form.

View the Sterne Library 163 & 174 events calendar online to see current availability for SL 174.

The Sterne Library's classroom, SL 174, is under the administrative direction of the UAB Libraries. The room is designed primarily for instruction by the library faculty for library instruction classes and workshops and for use by the University Writing Center (UWC). Library and UWC classes always have first priority for use of this room.

All reservations are subject to cancellation based on priority needs.

  • Reservation Guidelines

    Because library-related instruction peaks at the beginning of each semester, use of SL 174 is reserved for library use and library-sponsored instruction only between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the months of September–November and January–March.

    Reservations are accepted at least 48 hours, but no more than 30 days, in advance of the requested meeting, and the reservation request must be received via the online Sterne Library Room Reservation Form. The room may not be reserved for more than a four-hour period. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Head of Reference at the Mervyn H. Sterne Library Department of Research and Learning and/or the Library Dean.

    Student groups must include the name of and contact email for their faculty sponsor(s) when making room reservations. Faculty sponsors may be copied on room reservation confirmation and cancellation emails.

  • Who can use the room?

    SL 174 may be used for the following purposes:

    • University classes scheduled for library instruction taught by a librarian.
    • High school, middle school, or other outreach classes taught by a librarian.
    • Workshops, training sessions, meetings, or professional development sessions for UAB faculty and staff or the University Writing Center.
    • Meetings of official UAB student organizations with approval of the organization's faculty advisor.
    • As a collaborative study space to support group study during final exams.
    • Other uses at the discretion of the Head of Reference at the Mervyn H. Sterne Library Department of Research and Learning and/or the Library Dean.

    In order to keep the room available for multiple purposes and organizations, each organization is limited to four reservations per semester.

  • Guidelines for Use

    Groups are expected to arrive on time for all reservations. Failure to arrive within 15 minutes after the reservation start time will result in cancellation of the reservation and may lead to denial and/or cancellation of future reservations.

    Food and drinks are permitted in the classroom. Groups are responsible for removal of refreshments and room cleanup at the end of the meeting. All trash must be removed from the library.

    Room cancellations must be received at least forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled event. Cancellation requests should be sent to dcarlito@uab.edu. Repeated failure to arrive on time or at all (no-shows) for reservations may result in cancellation or denial of future room reservations.

  • Restrictions

    Due to high demand, SL 174 may not be scheduled:

    • For regular or recurring meetings, including recurring UAB class meetings.
    • For any purpose when the library is closed.
    • As an "open lab" or a UAB class without the faculty member or course instructor present.
    • For instruction, training, or workshops for community users or the general public without the approval of the Head of Reference at the Mervyn H. Sterne Library Department of Research and Learning or the Library Dean; or
    • For personal or commercial use by UAB faculty, staff, students, or community users.
 

Mervyn H. Sterne Library

917 13th St S
Birmingham, AL

(205) 934-6364

Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences

1700 University Blvd
Birmingham, AL

(205) 975-4821

Reynolds-Finley Historical Library

1700 University Blvd - 3rd Floor
Birmingham, AL

(205) 934-4475

Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences

1700 University Blvd - 3rd Floor
Birmingham, AL

(205) 934-4475

Lister Hill Library at University Hospital

615 18th Street S - P235 West Pavilion
Birmingham, AL

(205) 934-2275

801 Building

801 5th Ave South
Room 1111
Birmingham, AL

(205) 934-5432

J. Ellis Sparks Medical Library

301 Governors Drive SE - 3rd Floor
Huntsville, AL 35801

(256) 551-4405

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