University of Rhode Island’s Robert L. Carothers Library transitioned to an online booking system for study rooms on Oct. 5, prioritizing convenience for students.
Study rooms are available to book up to 24 hours in advance, according to head of access services Brian Gallagher. Students can book throughout the day or view availability of study spaces online before arriving at the library. QR codes are posted outside of study rooms, on the library’s first floor and throughout the main stairwell. The QR codes provide a link to book and view study room availability.
Students have independence to book online and check availability without consulting circulation staff, according to Gallagher.
“I think it’s a good thing,” fourth-year student Kyle Jordan said. “Sometimes I feel torn [with] everything being online, maybe it encourages less interpersonal interaction? I’d like to check online before I come to see if there’s [study rooms] available.”
Library administrative staff had considered an online booking system after feedback from students indicated it would be desirable, according to Gallagher.
Previously, administrative staff lacked the logistical support needed to transition to an online booking system, according to Gallagher. Students would need to request a space in person at the library circulation desk. If put on a waitlist for available rooms, students would need to wait in the vicinity of the circulation desk until a room came available.
The transition is part of an effort to build more student independence, Gallagher said. Head of circulation and reserves Liz Smith, library systems administrator Brandon Katzir and Gallagher oversaw the transition.
Prior to Brandon Katzir’s hiring last summer, the library operated without a systems administrator, making online study rooms difficult, according to Gallagher. With an administrator now on the team, the library can finally proceed with online study rooms.
Since the launch, library administration has seen minimal technical disruptions, according to Gallagher. If students experience trouble reserving or accessing study rooms, library staff can still support them. Students unable to access or book study rooms can contact library circulation staff for help, by email, phone or in person on the library’s first floor.
By 11 a.m. on Oct. 5, 86% of study rooms had been booked online at least once, according to Gallagher. By Oct. 6, 100% of available study spaces had been reserved at least once.
While a technical issue briefly prevented booking for certain students on the morning of Oct. 5, full access was restored by 1:40 p.m. the same day, according to Gallagher.
“Fortunately Brandon – who doesn’t work on Sundays – kept in touch with everybody [during the launch],” Gallagher said. “He managed to do a quick fix that made sure people were getting in no-problem.”
In addition to QR codes posted throughout the library, students can access the online booking system by navigating to the “Spaces” header on the University Libraries webpage. Under this header is a button reading “Book Study Room.”
“Honestly, I think now that [study rooms] are online I’ll be more likely to use them,” Jordan said. “It’s nice when you can just book it and go.”
A combined total of 24 study rooms are available to book, according to the URI LibCal “Search Study Space” webpage.
Due to a closure of the library’s lower level during Fall semester, 14 additional rooms are unavailable for booking at this time, according to the URI library services webpage. The library’s lower level is closed due to a fire which occurred over the summer. Access is expected to resume in Spring 2026.
Rooms can be reserved for up to three hours. Students must use their URI single sign-on to make reservations. The terms and conditions for use ask that students do not obstruct windows or doors, use electrical appliances or store library materials in rooms between bookings.
