Library Spaces
The library building offers a variety of resources, services, and amenities across our five floors. Current Macalester students, staff, and faculty have full access to our range of offerings. Visitors, including alumni and community members, should register for an ID to gain basic access. Please note: the library will be undergoing a renovation summer of 2025. Some spaces and amenities may not be available at certain times due to construction. If you have a specific need or request, we recommend chatting us so we can best help you.
We have places for you to:
- Study alone or as a group
- Do a Zoom interview or have a private conversation
- Make posters, 3D models, and podcasts
- Work on your research assignment with a librarian
- Do a puzzle, play a game, or hang with friends
- Borrow books, computers, movies, textbooks, and journal articles
Have a question? Ask us at the Service Desk on Level 1 or chat with us online.
Reservable spaces
Group meeting rooms can be reserved by all Mac students, staff, and faculty. Library event spaces and classrooms can be reserved by student organizations, staff, and faculty. Reserve library rooms through EMS. When not reserved, many library rooms remain unlocked and available for first come, first served use. Signs are posted on each door to indicate when a room is reserved.
Lower Level highlights
- Digital Resource Center
- TechCheckout
- Poster printer
- Art, music and oversized books
- Periodicals collection
- Microfilm machine
- Digital Liberal Arts
Print posters, make a podcast, borrow a computer charger or camera, check out our art and music books, or meet with your group to do an assignment—all on the Lower Level. Detailed floor map of Lower Level.
Level 1 highlights
- Library service desk
- Cozy reading room and fireplace
- Snack vending machine
- Puzzles and games
- Popular fiction and non-fiction books
- Books by Mac community members
- Harmon Room event space (reserve through EMS)
Cozy up with a book in front of the fireplace, print your homework, borrow textbooks, pick up a puzzle, grab a quick snack, meet friends, or ask us questions—all on Level 1. Detailed floor map of Level 1.
Level 2 highlights
- College Archives & Special Collections
- Creative and collaborative Idea Lab makerspace
- YA fiction and children’s book collections
- Department of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Group meeting rooms (reserve through EMS)
Do primary source research, make a tote bag, launch your start-up, read for fun in the whimsical Wood room, work on your group project, or reserve a room for your job interview—all on Level 2. Detailed floor map of Level 2.
Level 3 highlights
- Quiet, individual study rooms
- Large collection of books for browsing
- Research & Instruction Librarians
- Massage chairs
- Jan Serie Center for Scholarship and Teaching
Get a massage, browse the collection, meet with a librarian about your research assignment, or study in a private room—all on Level 3. Detailed floor map of Level 3.
Level 4 highlights
- Large collection of books for browsing
- Variety of quiet study spaces
- Group study rooms (reserve through EMS)
- Prayer/meditation space
Study in a quiet environment, browse the collection, use the meditation room, or reserve a group study room—all on Level 4. Detailed floor map of Level 4.
The Link highlights
- Lockers
- 24/7 stair-only access
- Snack and drink vending
- Indoor access between Old Main and the library
- Large poster display area
Securely store your things, grab a snack, promote your student organization, or meet with friends—all in the Link between the library and Old Main. Access from the library is available via the stairs in the vestibule in Level 1. The door connecting the Link to Old Main is open during regular building hours, posted on the doors.