Group study rooms are located on all floors of the Robert L. Carothers Library & Learning Commons.  

• Lower Level, 14 rooms (unavailable Fall 2025)
• First Floor, 5 rooms
• Second Floor, 13 rooms
• Third Floor, 6 rooms

With the exception of the 8 rooms on the second floor, all the study rooms are large enough to accommodate group study work.  The 8 smaller rooms can fit either 2 students or just a single student.  Despite the varying sizes, if an individual requires a study room and all the smaller rooms are checked out, that individual can check out one of the large study rooms.

These rooms are available solely for students, both undergraduate and graduate.

Reserving a Group Study Room

As of October 5, 2025, all students can reserve the rooms using the online booking system available on this page. 

• These rooms can be reserved for up to three hours at a time.
• Reservations can be made up to 24 hours in advance.
• A student must use their URI Login in order to make a reservation.
• Once the reservation is made, the student goes directly to their room at the time they reserved it for.  Students do not have to stop at the Circulation Desk nor do they need to acquire a key since all the study rooms will be unlocked.
• If a student or students are occupying the room, show them the reservation on your phone.

Terms & Conditions

Carothers Library: Terms & Conditions

1. No curtains nor rolling white boards shall obstruct windows nor block the doors of the study room.  No papers should taped to the walls.
2. No Library materials, including books, should be left in any Group Study Room.
3. The Library is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage of any material left in the room.
4. No electrical appliances are allowed in the Group Study Rooms.
5. The individual to whom the Group Study Room is assigned is responsible for any infraction of the policies or damage to the room.  Any damage must be reported to Circulation as soon as possible.
6. The Library Patron Code of Conduct will apply to all users of the Group Study Rooms.

Want to book a room?

The University Library has 20 individual graduate research/study carrels.  

• These research /study carrels have been set aside to facilitate scholarly research using the materials located in the library.
• Priority on the assignment of individual carrels will be given to graduate students working on theses or dissertations, or a major research project. 
• The carrels will be assigned on a first-come, first-reserved basis by application to the Head of Access Services.  
• The carrels are assigned on an Academic Year basis.  Use during JTerm and summer is at the discretion of the Head of Access Services.

Application Procedure

1. Graduate students must complete the application form issued by the Library which requires identification of the applicant, research project, and supervisory faculty member.
2. Return the form to the Head of Access Services.  
3. Assignment of carrels will then be made by the Head of Access Services on a first-come, first-reserved basis.  
4. The graduate student will be notified when the assignment is made.
5. A key to the carrel will be assigned by the Circulation Unit.  
6. A $10.00 deposit is required when the key is issued.  This key may not be duplicated.  
7. This key must be returned at the end of use. If the graduate student will be away from campus during JTerm or the summer, they must return the key to the Head of Access Services for safe-keeping. 
8. The $10.00 deposit will be refunded when the graduate student is finished with the room.  
9. If after one day after the due date, the key is not returned, the graduate student will be sanctioned in both the Library database and eCampus and the deposit forfeited.  The later return of the key will remove the Sanction but not the forfeiture of the deposit.

Rules for Use

1. The carrels are not to be used as alternate office space.
2. No curtains, window covers, or objects should be hung or mounted to the walls, doors or interior of the carrels. 
3. No Library books may be kept in any carrel without first being checked out at the Circulation desk.   
4. No serial material may be kept in any carrel.
5. No electrical appliances are allowed in the carrel, e.g. coffee makers, hot plates, etc.
6. The individual to whom the carrel is assigned is responsible for any infraction of the regulations or damage to the facility.  Any damage must be reported to Circulation Unit as soon as possible.   
7. The University Library maintains the right to check a carrel for any reason it deems necessary and to remove serials or books that are not checked out.
8. The Library is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to any material left in the Library carrel if the carrel is left unlocked.
9. Library rules on food, drink, smoking and other activities apply in the Carrels/Group Study Rooms.

Privileges may be suspended for infractions of these regulations.  

Robert L. Carothers Library & Learning Commons

Call Us
(401) 874-2672

Email Us
librarycirc-group@uri.edu
(Please allow 1-2 business days for a response)