Library Spaces for Online Classes

One of our newest and most popular questions during the first week of school has been, “Where can I go to take my online class?” 

It’s likely too far and inconvenient to go back to your residence hall, apartment, or house when you’ve got an in-person class later in the day, so the library is a logical choice for your online class.  Here are our best suggestions for where to go in our Libraries to meet with your virtual classmates.

In all cases, we encourage you to use headphones to avoid disturbing your neighbors.  Masks are still required indoors, even if you’re on camera with your class.

Athens

With Alden Library’s seven floors, there are plenty of options for you to try.  Just be mindful of the typical noise volumes for each floor – Some floors are reserved for more quiet study.

If you know that your professor expects you to talk a lot in class, we suggest you find a spot on the 2^nd floor of Alden, which is typically our least-quiet floor.  There you’ll find plenty of tables and computer desks to work from. 

If you just need to listen in on the class lecture, almost any floor will do.  The fourth floor offers nice spots near the windows, and the fifth floor is a very quiet floor. 

You can also reserve a study room if you need your own space.  You’ll need to plan in advance, because our rooms are very popular!

Our Music and Dance Library (Glidden 530) is also available for listen-only lectures, but make sure you’re using headphones, please.

If you want to explore other spaces, we have a growing list of study spaces around campus you can check out.

Lancaster

At the Hannah V. McCauley Library, there are 3 study rooms that we’ve re-purposed for online class spaces. Our rooms are limited to 1-2 people, and you can reserve them for a single session or for the whole semester.  Just call or visit us to make a reservation.

We also suggest a few under-used spaces: a “secret” table in the children’s literature area and a single table just outside the library on the upper level. There are also quiet spaces on the mezzanine in Brasee Hall.

Once the rooms fill up, you can find quiet spaces in multiple locations around campus. The JJ-CLASS (Jane Johnsen Center for Learning and Student Success) has tables that can be used for quiet classes. Check with Amber Landis (landis@ohio.edu) for more information about the JJ-CLASS space.

Zanesville

Our  Zanesville Campus Library has 4 study rooms. You can reserve these spaces for a single session or for multiple sessions, up to one month in advance by either calling or visiting the library. These rooms also have open availability if not already reserved. Please stop at the Circulation Desk to check in before using these study rooms.

In addition, we have a few quiet corners with soft seating or tables and chairs.

While you’re not required to use headphones for listening to online courses in the study rooms, we do ask that students in the quiet corners and open areas of the library use them.

Chillicothe

The Quinn Library has 2 study rooms (single occupant) that can be used with your laptop.  If not already reserved, these spaces have open availability.  Nearby, the Learning Commons also has several study rooms that can be reserved by contacting the IT Help Desk.  

There are also a number of quiet spaces that serve as perfect nooks for attending online classes.

Please contact the library with any questions.

Eastern

At the Eastern Campus Library we’ve set aside two areas of the library for online classes.  One space has 4 computers and the second has 4 study carrels for students with their own devices.  Visit us at the circulation desk, email (cecil@ohio.edu), or call (740.699.2519) to reserve a seat. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Southern

The Southern Campus Library has space available if you need reliable internet service or just a space to attend a virtual class meeting.

In the main library area,  you’ll find sofas and soft chairs, as well as individual tables if you need to spread your materials out.  Headphones are recommended, and if you don’t have a pair, we can loan them.  The quiet study room is also a great place to attend an online class.  Headphones are required in the quiet study area.

The multipurpose room can also be used to attend your online class; however it is first-come, first-served and is sometimes reserved for testing.

Non-library spaces are also available: the Rotunda in Riffe and the former Southermost Café have tables and chairs for your use.  If the weather is nice, try one of the outdoor tables in the Shafer Courtyard.