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Jean & Alexander Heard Libraries

  2. Services
  3. Carrel Allocation Procedures and Use Policy

Carrel Allocation Procedures and Use Policy

In the use of the Central Library carrels, we want to enhance the research community for Vanderbilt University, increase our support of A&S graduate student research, and help to achieve a timely degree completion.  To do this, we will prioritize the allocation of carrel space for students who are in residence in Nashville, working full-time on dissertations and other research projects, are in good standing within their programs, and are in graduate programs whose home departments are unable to provide office space.

Process

Each graduate student who is interested in carrel space should send an email to cenadmin@vanderbilt.edu at Jean & Alexander Heard Libraries. This email should say “library carrel” in the subject line.  Please include your name, email, department, and year in your graduate program for the current academic year. 

Our current plan for allocating carrels is as follows. 

Tiered assignment system for those students requesting carrels:

  1. First priority will go to students who meet all of the following: 
    • Are participating in a department that does not house its own graduate students (Anthropology, History, English, Philosophy, Creative Writing, German, French and Italian, Spanish and Portuguese)
    • Have ABD status as of the first day of the relevant semester.
    • Will be living and working in Nashville full-time during the semester.
    • Have not exceeded 7 years in the Ph.D. program.
  2. Second priority will go to students who meet all of the following:
    • Are participating in a department that does not house its own graduate students (Anthropology, History, English, Philosophy, Creative Writing, German, French and Italian, Spanish and Portuguese)
    • Are working full-time on a dissertation prospectus or MFA thesis, and/or are enrolled for at least 9 hours in “non-candidate” research.
    • Will be living and working in Nashville full-time during the semester.
    • Are in the 2nd -5th year of a Ph.D. program.
  3. Third priority will go to students who meet all of the following:
    • Are participating in a department that does not house its own graduate students (Anthropology, History, English, Philosophy, Creative Writing, German, French and Italian, Spanish and Portuguese)
    • Will be living and working in Nashville full-time during the semester.
    • Are in the 2nd -5th year of a Ph.D. program.
  4. Distribution of the remaining free carrels will be determined by the libraries on a case-by-case basis.

 

Within each tier, if more qualifying students request carrels than there are spaces available, we will make allocations to students in various programs in a way proportional to program size. When the allocations have been made, graduate students will be notified.  

Use Policy

Carrel holders may not remain in their carrels when the building is closed or during facility alarms or emergencies.  Failure to follow rules for building occupancy may result in carrel privileges being revoked.

Patrons are responsible for maintaining their assigned carrels and may be held liable for any damage resulting from the use of the carrel. All carrels will be checked periodically by the Central Library staff for compliance with the carrel policies.

 

The walls adjacent to the open carrels, as well as the open carrel panels, may not be decorated with personal pictures, posters, or other materials since the carrels are a part of the open space which needs to be welcoming to all users.

 

The Central Library does not assume responsibility for any items kept in carrel and will not be liable for lost or damaged belongings.

 

All library materials kept in study carrels must be properly checked out to carrel holders. 

 

Drinks are allowed in covered containers only. Please do not leave any food overnight.

 

Use of toasters, steamers, or other electrical heating devices is strictly prohibited, as is smoking, vaping, and the use of e-cigarettes or similar devices. Violation will be grounds for termination of carrel privileges.

 

Carrel holders are responsible for keys to their carrels. Carrel holders who lose keys will be charged $15 for replacement keys.

 

Noise in open carrels, including phone conversations and video or audio conferencing should be kept to a minimum. Earphones should be used when listening to audio in carrels.