Using Group Study Rooms

The Library has a limited number of group study rooms. Current UAB students, faculty, staff and active alumni who are seeking a place to hold short-term collaborative study sessions may use group study rooms.

• Group study rooms can be reserved up to 24 hours in advance.
• Group study rooms are available on a first-come, first-reserved basis.
• Group study rooms may be checked out for a period of three hours. No renewals.
• Groups must vacate the room when the key is due and turn in the key at the Sterne HUB service desk. If rooms are available, groups may reserve another room.
• At least two (2) individuals must be present at the HUB to check out a key. Only one UAB ID is required.
• Keys to group study rooms must be checked out with a valid UAB ID card.
• At least one (1) individual must be in the room at all times. If one individual is alone in the room for 30 minutes or more, the group must forfeit the key.
• Groups not actively using the room must return the key to the HUB.
• Overdue fine is $3.00 per hour ($0.05 per minute).
• Groups must return the key to the HUB when they leave the group study room
• Group study rooms users must maintain a moderate noise level -- rooms are not soundproof, and loud talking disturbs other individuals studying in adjoining rooms and/or those studying outside of the rooms.
• Walls, furnishings, and glass must not be defaced. No pictures or other items may be attached to the walls or structure. Windows and/or door glass must not be covered in any way.
• Groups must clean up after themselves and leave the room in good condition for the next group, including erasing the board.
• Groups are not allowed to sleep in the rooms at any time.
• Loss of a key will incur a replacement charge of sixty dollars ($60).
• The maximum fine for a key being returned late is fifty dollars ($50).

Failure to follow the above policies, or other applicable Library policies, may result in a temporary or permanent suspension of access to the group study rooms. In addition, patrons who fail to follow the policies risk being blocked in Banner (students blocked in Banner cannot register for classes, nor graduate, nor receive a transcript).

Using Study Carrels

Sterne Library has both short-term and long term study carrels available for use.

• Daily study carrels are available to current UAB students, faculty, staff, and active alumni.
• Long-term carrels are available to current UAB faculty, graduate students, and students with disabilities. Due to limited availability, all carrel assignments are checked out by term on a semester-by-semester basis. Overdue fines will be charged at a rate of ten dollars ($10) per day. A completed Library Carrel Application form is required to check out a long-term carrel. This form may be picked up in person at the Sterne HUB, or it may be printed.

Rules
Anyone wishing to use a Library carrel is required to agree to these rules:

• A VALID UAB ID is required to check out carrel.
• Study carrels are limited to one person. The third floor is a Quiet Zone, so any noise should be minimal. Group study rooms are also available on the first and second floors for collaborative learning.
• Use of devices that may disturb others in adjacent carrels is not permitted. Please use headphones.
• Walls, furnishings, and glass must not be defaced. No pictures or other items may be attached to the walls or structure. Windows and /or door glass must not be covered in any way.
• Messages will not be delivered to carrels by Library Staff.
• All University of Alabama at Birmingham buildings are nonsmoking areas. UAB Policy.
• All library books kept in the carrel must be checked out to you via the Sterne HUB service desk (first floor). Any library books not checked out to you will be removed and returned to the shelves.
• Periodicals and other non-circulating materials, including reference books, may be in your carrel only when you are present. These are not to be left in your carrel when you are absent. Such material will be removed and returned to the shelves.
• Loss of a key will incur a replacement charge of sixty dollars ($60).
• The maximum fine for a key being returned late is fifty dollars ($50). Once the maximum fine is reached the Library may take additional action to address any abuse which may include the loss of carrel privileges.
• Inspections will be made periodically by the Circulation Department staff. A notice describing any violation will be placed in the carrel where it occurred. You are required to acknowledge such notices. Three violations during an assignment period or failure to respond to a notice will result in forfeiture of the carrel.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please call the HUB at 205-934-4338.

Sterne Meeting Room - SL 174 Policies

Purposes of Use
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.

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;
• Meetings of official UAB student organizations with approval of the organization's faculty advisor;
• Use as a collaborative study space to support group study during final exams; or
• Other uses at the discretion of the Chair of Reference and/or the Library Dean.

Guidelines for Use
Reservations may be accepted at least 24 hours, but no more than 60 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 an 8-hour period. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Chair of Reference 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.

In order to keep the room available for multiple purposes and organizations, each organization is limited to 6 reservations per semester.

Groups are expected to arrive on time for all reservations. Failure to arrive within fifteen (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 classroom furniture must be returned to its original location.

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 on Use
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 Chair of Reference Services or the Library Dean; or
• For personal or commercial use by UAB faculty, staff, students, or community users.