1. Home
  2. Spaces
  3. Study Zones

Study Zones

Study spaces in Mills and Thode Libraries are organized into "zones." The purpose of the zones is to promote the Library as a space for research, reflection, discovery, and learning. Match your learning needs with the appropriate zone by using the tabs below.

Book a group study room

Study Zones

Study Zones Overview

About Study Zones Overview

Associated with each zone is a set of expectations, benefits, and cautions, and we encourage you to select the zone that best fits the work you need to get done in the Library. Each of the Library Study Zones establishes basic expectations for acceptable behaviour that are enforced under the Regulations Governing Personal Behaviour.

Learn more about the following study zones and their locations using the tabs, above.

  Group Study Spaces

Sound Icon Quiet Conversational area  Quiet Conversational Zones

 Quiet Learning Zones

Silent Icon Silent Study Zones

Report noise in a quiet area

Group Learning Zones

Group Learning Zones

Expectation: Collaborative work in small groups

Benefits: Work productively individually in the presence of others with some noise and distractions; laptop use is permitted

Cautions: Low-level conversation is fine, but no loud noise, music, socializing or rowdiness

 Library 

 Floor Location   Seating   More Info
Mills 3rd  Room L310A - E, around newspaper area, overlooking the Learning Commons   Rooms  Mills Spaces
Thode 1st  West side  Tables  Thode Spaces 
Thode  Lower Level    South end  Rooms  Thode Spaces

Quiet Conversational Zones

Quiet Conversation

Expectation: interact with friends and class study buddies; cell phones are permitted

Benefits: socialize with minimal disturbance or disruption to others who are learning

Cautions: talking is fine, but no loud noise, music, socializing, or rowdiness

 

 Library   Floor  Location Seating More Info
Mills  1st  Undergraduate Study Area across from the Library Services Desk   Powered tables  Mills Spaces
Mills  1st  Main lobby  Couches  Mills Spaces
Mills  2nd  Learning Commons (McLay)  Tables, Lounge Chairs  Mills Spaces
Thode  1st  East side 1st floor  Tables, Couches, Lounge Chairs   Thode Spaces 
Thode  1st  1st floor lounge near entrance  Lounge Chairs  Thode Spaces 
Thode  2nd  Entire floor  Tables and Lounge Chairs  Thode Spaces 

 

Quiet Learning Study Zones

Quiet Learning Study Zones

Expectation: quiet, individual study

Benefits: work productively individually in the presence of others with some noise and distractions; laptop use is permitted

Cautions: low-level conversation is fine, but no cell phone use, loud noise, music, socializing, or rowdiness

 

 Library   Floor   Location   Seating   More Info 
Mills  2nd  Student Study Lounge, southeast end   Lounge chairs, with   some power  Mills   Spaces
Mills  3rd  NW corner near windows above entrance   Carrels and tables  Mills   Spaces
Mills  3rd  NE corner  Carrels  Mills   Spaces
Mills  3rd  L302, west wing near main staircase   Powered tables  Mills   Spaces
Mills  4th  NW corner near windows above entrance  Carrels  Mills   Spaces
Mills  4th  L401, down the ramp on the west side of the floor   Carrels  Mills   Spaces
Mills  4th  Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Fellows Study Room (L405) - west wing, down the ramp leading from the foyer outside the Lyons New Media Centre (on the north side)   Study tables and soft seating  Mills   Spaces
Mills  5th  NW corner near windows above entrance  Carrels  Mills   Spaces
Thode  Lower   Level   South side  Carrels  Thode   Spaces

Silent Study Zones

Silent Study

Expectation: silence – no talking, socializing, music or cell phone use – cell phone ringers off

Benefits: quiet and calming environment for reflection, problem-solving, and other complex work on which you need to concentrate

Cautions: zero tolerance for noise

 Library  Floor Location Seating More Info
Mills  6th  Entire 6th floor.

 This area is to remain Silent at all times. We ask that you help monitor this area and if unable  to resolve noise problems yourself,  to report them to quiet@mcmaster.ca  

  Carrels  Mills   Spaces
Thode  Lower Level   Room B115 - Lower level, southwest side (at bottom of main stairs/elevator)  Tables  Thode Spaces