Gelman Library serves as a hub for research and learning on the Foggy Bottom campus. It provides a variety of study areas to meet the needs of different types of learners, as well as classrooms and access to specialized tools and resources. Learn about Gelman's spaces by floor below:
First Floor
Second Floor
Third Floor
Fourth Floor
Fifth Floor
Sixth Floor
Seventh Floor
Lower Level
First Floor
Noise Expectation
Group study and conversation are allowed on the first floor.
Type of Study
- Tables and chairs
- Computers located in study carrels
Computers & Technology
- Windows computer workstations
- High-powered Mac multimedia editing computers in the CREATE Digital Studio
- Professional-quality AV production suite in the CREATE Digital Studio
- A large-format printer and 3-D printers in the CREATE Digital Studio
Notable Areas
- Room 101 - National Churchill Leadership Center
- Room 109 - CREATE Digital Studio and A/V Production Suite
Second (Entrance) Floor
Noise Expectation
Since the entrance to the building and several service desks are located here, the second floor tends to be the noisiest. Group study and conversation are allowed.
Type of Study
- Overstuffed chairs
- Tables & chairs
- Standing laptop bars
- Reservable study rooms have tables and chairs centered around a large screen
Computers & Technology
- Windows computer workstations
- Mac computer workstations
- Colonial Printing kiosks
- Scanners
Notable Areas
- Check Out Desk
- Ask Us Desk/Academic Commons
- Room 218 - Snack Lounge, Student Lounge, and Vending Machines
- Room 218a - Large group meeting room
- Room 219 - Study or event room
- Room 221 - The Writing Center
Third Floor
Noise Expectation
Only silent, individual study is allowed on the third floor, except in classrooms and designated group spaces.
Type of Study
- Tables & chairs
- Study carrels
- Overstuffed chairs and padded furniture
- Reservable study rooms have tables and chairs
Computers & Technology
- Windows computer workstations
- Colonial Printing kiosks
- Microfiche reader
Notable Areas
- Rooms 300, 301, & 302 - Classrooms
- Rooms 306-313 - Reservable study rooms
- Rooms 308 & 309 - The Julius Fleischman and Christine Waldvogel Assistive Technology Suite provides equal access to information for students with disabilities in support of academic excellence. The facility is uniquely designed to incorporate software and hardware to address the needs of students with print disabilities, in particular those who are blind or have low vision. The Assistive Technology Suite is reserved exclusively for students with disabilities. For more information, please contact Disability Support Services.
Fourth Floor
Noise Expectation
Only silent, individual study is allowed on the fourth floor, except in designated group spaces.
Type of Study
- Tables & chairs
- Overstuffed chairs
- Reservable study rooms have tables and chairs
Notable Areas
- Room 401 - Undergraduate Student Reading Room
- Room 403 - Large study room
- Rooms 406-410 (on Kogan Plaza side), 457-459 (on 22nd Street side) - Reservable study rooms
- Rooms 415-455 - Reservable graduate student closed study carrels
- Lockers available to rent (located in the hallway past the bathrooms)
Fifth Floor
Noise Expectation
Only silent, individual study is allowed on the fifth floor, except in designated group spaces.
Type of Study
- Tables & chairs
- Study carrels
- Overstuffed chairs
- Reservable study rooms have tables and chairs
Notable Areas
- Room 501 - Quiet study room
- Room 503 - Graduate Student Reading Room (lockers available for rent by graduate students)
- Rooms 506, 507 (H Street side), 508, 509, 510 (Kogan Plaza side), 557, 558, 559 (22nd Street side) - Reservable study rooms
- Rooms 515-556 - Reservable graduate student closed study carrels
- Lockers available to rent (located in the hallway past the bathrooms)
Sixth Floor
Noise Expectation
Only silent, individual study is allowed on the sixth floor, except in designated group spaces.
Type of Study
- Tables & chairs
- Overstuffed chairs
- Reservable study rooms have tables and chairs
Notable Areas
- Rooms 605b-e (Kogan Plaza side), 605g-i, k (G Street side), 605l-n (22nd Street side) - Reservable study rooms
- Room 609 - Oliver Reading Room
- Room 608 - Classroom
Seventh Floor
Noise Expectation
Only silent, individual study is allowed on the seventh floor, except in designated group spaces.
Type of Study
- Tables & chairs
Computers & Technology
- Colonial Printing kiosk (in Global Resources Center)
Notable Areas
- Room 701 - National Security Archive
- Room 702 - IBT Labor History Research Center
- Room 704 - Special Collections Research Center
- Room 708 - Global Resources Center and Center for Undergraduate Fellowships & Research
- Room 709 - Office of the Dean of Libraries and Academic Innovation
- Room 710 - I. Edward Kiev Judaica Reading Room
Lower Level
Notable Areas
- Rooms B01, B02, B04a - Classrooms
- Room B05 - Instructional Technology Lab