Today’s Hours

Gelman Library:
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Gelman Library will be closed May 17 - August 17, 2025, for a significant HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system maintenance project. During this time, library services and resources will be available. Visit the Summer Closure 2025 webpage for information on how to access materials and services.

Gelman Learning Spaces

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

A long view of the National Churchill Leadership Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 100 - National Churchill Leadership Center
  • Room 107 - CREATE Digital Studio and A/V Production Suite

Second (Entrance) Floor

Back of the entrance floor with students in overstuffed chairs

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
  • GW Printing kiosks
  • Scanners

Notable Areas

  • Check Out Desk
  • Ask Us Desk/Academic Commons
  • Room 227 - Snack Lounge, Student Lounge, and Vending Machines
  • Room 228 - Large group meeting room
  • Room 229 - Study or event room 
  • Room 234 - The Writing Center

Third Floor

Wide view of furniture on the 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
  • GW Printing kiosks
  • Microfiche reader

Notable Areas

  • Rooms 322, 323, & 324 - Classrooms
  • Rooms 307-314 - Reservable study rooms
  • Rooms 309 & 310 - 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

Wide view of furniture on 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 462 - Undergraduate Student Reading Room
  • Room 400 - Large study room
  • Rooms 405-410 (on Kogan Plaza side), 457-459 (on 22nd Street side) - Reservable study rooms
  • Rooms 459-461 - Reservable graduate student closed study carrels
  • Lockers available to rent (located in the hallway past the bathrooms)

Fifth Floor

Wide view of furniture on 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 562 - Quiet study room
  • Room 500 - Graduate Student Reading Room (lockers available for rent by graduate students)
  • Rooms 505, 506 (H Street side), 508, 509, 510 (Kogan Plaza side), 559, 560, 561 (22nd Street side) - Reservable study rooms 
  • Rooms 515-558 - Reservable graduate student closed study carrels
  • Lockers available to rent (located in the hallway past the bathrooms)

Sixth Floor

Wide view of furniture on 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 613-616 (Kogan Plaza side), 620-623 (G Street side), 626-628 (22nd Street side) - Reservable study rooms
  • Room 642 - Oliver Reading Room
  • Room 641 - Classroom

Seventh Floor

The Okinawa Collection sign surrounded by books

Noise Expectation

Only silent, individual study is allowed on the seventh floor, except in designated group spaces.

Type of Study

  • Tables & chairs

Computers & Technology

  • GW Printing kiosk (in Global Resources Center)

Notable Areas

  • Room 700 - National Security Archive
  • Room 702 - IBT Labor History Research Center
  • Room 703 - Special Collections Research Center
  • Room 708 - Global Resources Center and Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research
  • Room 712 - Office of the Dean of Libraries and Academic Innovation
  • Room 713 - I. Edward Kiev Judaica Reading Room

Lower Level

Person wearing a VR headset and one at a laptop

Notable Areas

  • Rooms B101, B103, B108 - Classrooms
  • Room B129 - Instructional Technology Lab
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