Everything You Wanted To Know About The Brooks Library

But Were Afraid To Ask

We know that sometimes the library can seem like a scary place.

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A lot of students experience library anxiety, so if you're feeling nervous it's not just you. Our librarians are here to help you, not to judge you or make you feel stupid. We answer all kinds of questions! Don't be afraid to ask yours.

When is the library open?

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The library is usually open:

Sunday: 11:00am-midnight

Monday-Thursday: 7:30am-midnight

Friday: 7:30am-9:00pm

Saturday: 11:00am-7:00pm

Check our library hours webpage for exceptions.

Where is the library?

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The library is on the northwest corner of campus, at the corner of D Street & Dean Nicholson Boulevard. Check out the campus map.

Where is the bathroom?

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The bathrooms are on the west end of the building on all 4 floors.

Can I print at the library?

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Yes! We have a computer lab and several standing computer stations - all connected to printers. You can also print from your laptop. If you need help, just ask at any of our service desks.

Do you have my textbook?

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As a rule we don't buy textbooks. Your professor may choose to put their personal copy on reserve at the library, which means you can check it out and use it in the library for 4 hours at a time.

What is the ARC?

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The ARC is the Academic and Research Commons, located on the left when you walk in the front door. It's a group study space with computers, printers, Media:Scapes, presentation practice rooms, and lots of whiteboards.

The ARC is home to the iDesk, where you can get research help; Learning Support Services, where you can get drop in writing and math help as well as tutoring in other subjects; Career Services; and from 5pm-8pm Monday-Thursday the Information Services help desk.

And the Fishbowl?

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The Fishbowl is another group study space on the second floor of the library. The Fishbowl is where Waffle Night is held during finals week each quarter.

Where are the books?

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Most of our books are on the 3rd and 4th floors.

Why do the call numbers look different than the ones I used in high school?

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Most high school and public libraries use the Dewey Decimal System, but most academic libraries use the Library of Congress Classification System.

Start by looking at the first line - the letters. Single letters come before multiple letters (B comes before BA).

The second line is numbers, and 1 digit numbers come before 2 digits numbers, which come before 3 digit numbers, and so on. So 23 and 232 are probably a few aisles apart.

If you want to know more, this website will explain how things are organized by subject.

Do you have fiction books?

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We have a popular reading collection near the circulation desk on the first floor. We also have some fiction upstairs, but it's mixed in with the rest of the books and isn't as easy to browse as in a public library.

Your best bet is to look in PR (English Literature) and PS (American Literature). The higher the number, the more recently it was published.

My professor is using terms like peer reviewed and primary source and I don't know what they mean!

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There's a ton of new jargon when you get to college. If you're getting confused, feel free to ask a librarian. You can also ask your professor about having a librarian come to your class and give a session on using the library.

Or, enroll in LIB 110 - Research Fundamentals, where you'll learn tons of tricks for doing research that'll help you throughout college.

My friend told me about an awesome game night/book club/event they attended at the library. How do I find out what else is going on?

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Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Or, check the What's Happening section of our homepage.

I still have questions. How do I get answers?

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Lucky for you librarians LOVE answering questions. Stop by the iDesk in the ARC, Call us at 509-963-1021, email [e-mail], or use our 24/7 chat reference available on the library homepage.

Bonus: What's this I hear about a coffee shop?

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The rumors are true! The Brooks Library is getting a coffee shop this fall! It's still a work in progress, but if you follow us on social media we'll be sure to keep you informed.