Finding space to study
Elizabeth Dafoe Library offers lots of study spaces, however it is also the largest and busiest library on campus. As the Fall Term comes to an end and final exams approach, it can seem overwhelming to find a space to sit down and study in the library. For those that are new to campus, it may be difficult to find the right study space for their needs. For those looking for study spaces, read on! UM has many options.
Libraries
A students’ first instinct for finding a study space is probably to go to the library, and that is a good thought! Students pay into the libraries and their services with their tuition, and they provide a lot of resources for students in addition to their stacks, from search aids, to support staff, to rooms to book.
The Elizabeth Dafoe Library offers a variety of options for study spaces beyond the common spaces on the first, second, and third floors. If the traffic of these areas is too much, or if arriving as soon as the library opens to get a good seat is not an easy task, fear not! The library provides some wonderful options.
The second floor of the library is designated as a “quiet zone” and the third floor is home to the Icelandic Reading room. Both locations are quite spaces where students are encouraged to work silently. Being on higher floors, these rooms are away from the bustling entrance on the main floor.
Last year, the library introduced Quiet Pods to support students who need an individualized quiet space for calls, doing an online exam, or any other task that requires silence. Quiet Pods are located on the main floor of Dafoe and can be booked for a maximum of three hours at a time. They can be booked in advance through an online sign-up form.
For other bookings, the library also offers room bookings across the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses for group study sessions located, and study carrels for graduate students and President’s Scholars.
Other libraries offer study spaces and other services, and students are encouraged to visit different libraries to find the one that suits their needs and study requirements, as different libraries will offer different technological support and study space availability. Below is a list of libraries on both UM campuses with links to information on their study spaces:
- Architecture/Fine Arts Library (206 John A. Russel Building, 84 Curry Place)
- E. K. Williams Law Library (Room 401 Robson Hall, 224 Dysart Road)
- Eckhardt Gramatté Music Library (T257 Taché Arts Complex, 136 Dafoe Road)
- Father Harold Drake Library (Room 119, St. Paul’s College)
- Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library (2nd Floor, Brodie Centre Atrium, 727 McDermot Avenue)
- St. John’s College Library (3rd Floor, St. John’s College, 92 Dysart Road)
- Agriculture Building (66 Dafoe Road)
- Engineering Building (EITC E3 75B Chancellors Circle)
Other study spaces
Studying is not just limited to libraries. Although libraries offer an important space for studying, writing, and research all in the same space, sometimes all students need are a desk, a chair, and somewhere quiet.
Various faculties and departments have their own study spaces and lounges which students can use. The International Centre recently opened the Tony K. Lau Globla Lounge. Located in room 541 in UMSU University Centre, this is a space for students and faculty to connect and study.
Different faculties will have different options for students. For example, the Faculty of Arts has a study space in Fletcher Argue near the Arts Students Lounge, and the School of Art allows for room bookings to support students in their studies. Students are encouraged to reach out to their faculty or student associations to see if there are any spaces they can reserve for studying or for any other supports.
Other study spaces will pop up. Students should keep an eye out for renovations in the buildings they frequent. The Jim Peebles Science and Technology Library has been undergoing renovations since May 2024 and is expected to open in 2026. Other developments will surely be underway. As the UM tunnel system was renovated, more tables and chairs were added to accommodate more options for students to study. As the UM grows, so to will its ability to help support students in their studies and their access to spaces that suit their needs.
Studying and preparing for exams can take its toll. The Student Wellness Centre is a space that students can turn to during their studies to help connect with peers and professionals for wellness support during the academic term. At the SWC, students can tend to their mental health and well-being during their studies. This space offers a break from the hectic pace of studying. After all, a key aspect of student success is a solid support system and confidence to pursue one’s studies.