Use Library Spaces
In the Gordon Library, students, faculty, and staff can find spaces for collaboration and quiet study, reservable meeting rooms and Tech Suites, spaces with computers and other technologies, exhibit galleries, and space for reflection.
- For an overview of the library's four floors, please consult our floor plans
- For library hours, please consult our hours schedule
- Please note that card access is needed to enter the building after 8pm Sunday - Friday and 6pm on Saturday.
Accessible Spaces
- All floors are accessible by stairs and elevator.
- Restrooms, including accessible restrooms, are located on all floors; a multi-stall gender-neutral bathroom is located on the first floor in the multimedia lab area.
- A nursing room (Room 203) is available on the main level for nursing mothers. It can be reserved and is equipped with a comfortable chair and small refrigerator.
- For assistance in retrieving books or other materials, please ask at the Information Desk at the library entrance.
Reserve Meeting Rooms
Several library meeting rooms and spaces can be reserved for faculty and staff use. For more information about these and other library spaces, please contact library@wpi.edu.
- Gordon Conference Room (Room 303) includes a large conference room table, seating for 25-30, an LCD projector and screen, and multimedia podium with Logitech Meet Up software. The room can be reserved by WPI faculty and staff; students need an advisor present. Room reservations are mediated by Gordon Library staff who will inform you if your request is approved. Reserve online here.
- Shuster Lab (Room 114) is located next to the Multimedia Lab on the first floor. It has reconfigurable seating for up to 26, and is ideal for small workshops or training sessions. It includes two Solstice-enabled wall-mounted monitors and whiteboards. WPI faculty, staff and student groups (with advisor or faculty member) may reserve the room. Room reservations are mediated by Gordon Library staff who will inform you if your request is approved. Reserve online here.
- Anderson Lab (Room 117A) is located next to the Multimedia Lab on the first floor. It offers an instructor PC, projection system, DVD/VCR, and a whiteboard. It has 14 PCs at fixed workstations, and seating for 20. The Anderson Lab is open to the WPI community for use during all Library open hours as long as there is not a reservation. The room is available for open study when not reserved; reservations can be made by faculty and staff. Reserve online here.
Tech Suites
Tech Suites are the perfect place for group collaboration for current undergraduate and graduate students. Most Tech Suites seat up to 6 students; the Large Tech Suite on the 3rd floor can seat up to 12. Reservations are limited to 3 hours and can be made online. You can reserve spaces online or at the Tech Suite Reservation Station at the Information Services Desk.
Open Group Study
Active group study areas including 4-5 person tables located on the ground and third floors. Some tables are moveable and there are numerous rolling whiteboards.
Individual Study
Two "Phone Booths" and an Interview Room are available for individual users and have only one seat and work space each. There are no computers or monitors in these rooms, but there are desk lamps that include the ability to power up your phone. Otherwise policies for reserving and using these spaces are the same as for Tech Suites. Reserve spaces online (specify 1-2 person capacity).
Quiet Study
Quiet study spaces are available throughout the Library. The entire first floor (lower level) is a dedicated quiet area, Other quiet study spaces in the library include individual study carrels on the upper / third floor.
Reflection Space
The Reflection Space on the lower level (first floor) is a quiet space for reflection, prayer, and meditation, equipped with soft seating, meditation pillows, prayer mats, carpets, plants, and rocking chairs, overlooking a quiet green space on campus.
Computers, Scanners and Printers
- Computers for general use are located near the Library Cafe on the main (entrance) level
- Over 30 computers are located in the Multimedia Lab on the first (quiet) floor
- The Anderson Lab next to the Multimedia Lab also has 15 computers available whenever the lab is not reserved for instruction or training.
- Printers are available opposite the IT Service desk on the main (entrance) level
- Scanners are available near the Library Information Services desk on the main (entrance) level
- Tech tools are also available to borrow from the Library Information Services desk, including power strips, HDMI cables, and more.
- Wireless network access is available in the building for personal laptops and those loaned from the IT Service Desk. Contact the IT Service desk to check one out or to set up your wireless access.
Café
Near the IT Service desk on the entrance level is the Class of 1970 Café, a relaxed seating area equipped with a coffee machine and several vending machines. Basic supplies and a microwave are provided. Occasional free food and student food events take place here.
Exhibit Spaces
The Gordon Library has several spaces for curated exhibits and displaying artwork:
- The Gladwin Gallery, located on the ground floor adjacent to WPI Archives & Special Collections, focuses on curated exhibits highlighting WPI history or objects from our collections.
- The Scott Room Gallery, on the 3rd floor, hosts two to three exhibits each year. This gallery showcases the work of the WPI community, local artists, and national traveling exhibitions. Also on permanent exhibit here are sculptures and paintings by Bernard Brenner.
- Other spaces throughout the library can be used to display student art works. If you're interested in exhibiting with us, please email us at libraryexhibits@wpi.edu.