Graduate Student Study Carrels

Welcome

Bata Library currently has 30 private lockable study carrels located on the 3rd and 4th floors. These carrels are available for use by graduate students who require a quiet workspace close to library resources. Students with access to office space or those not utilizing the carrel regularly are encouraged to relinquish their carrel so that it may be assigned to another student. There is no direct cost for the use of a carrel. 

The carrels are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Carrels are assigned for the current term, but may be renewed within Omni for additional terms up to a maximum of 3 years.

Students may apply for a carrel by completing the application process below. During the application process, the student must acknowledge and agree to the Regulations for Use. Random carrel inspections are performed by library staff. Violations of the regulations will result in the loss of carrel privileges. 

Regulations for Use

In order to ensure the security of the library carrels, graduate students must agree to and abide by the following:

  • Carrel assignments expire at the end of each term, but may be renewed for addition terms within Omni up to a maximum of 3 years. Failure to renew your carrel before the due date may result in it being assigned to another student.
  • Carrel keys must be returned to the Bata Library Service desk or renewed online within Omni by the due date. Failure to do so will result in a late fee of $4 per day up to the maximum of $56.
  • Overdue carrel keys not returned after 14 days are subject to a $25 lost item fee and a $125 replacement charge. Once the replacement charge has been applied to a student’s library account, the carrel will be cleared of all materials.  
  • The carrel is for use by the assigned graduate student and may not be sublet or shared with others. Any damage or defacing of the carrel will be the responsibility of the assigned student.
  • Trent University Library & Archives (TULA) is not responsible for personal property left in the carrels.
  • The student agrees that random carrel inspections will be performed by library staff.
  • All library material left in the carrels must be signed out. Any library materials that have not been signed out or that are part of the non-circulating collections will be removed by library staff.
  • In keeping with library policies designed to reduce waste and damage, please use lidded beverages only. Do not leave trash, recyclables, or any other items in your carrel that may attract pests. Deposit all waste or recyclables in receptacles.
  • No furniture is to be moved into or out of the carrel. Nothing may be affixed to or block the glass in the door.
  • Appliances that pose fire hazards, such as space heaters, coffee pots, hot plates, etc., are strictly prohibited in carrels. Excessive clutter or overfilling of the carrel with books or other materials is a safety hazard and is not permitted.
  • Carrels may only be accessed and used when the library is open.
  • A lost key must be reported immediately to Library Services.
  • TULA reserves the right to revoke carrel privileges when these regulations are not followed.

Regulations for Use approved by the Librarians Committee on October 21, 2020.

See the Library Study Rooms Guidelines.

Application process

To apply for a carrel, use the form available within MyTrent under Academics > Forms.

Once staff have processed your request, you will receive an email advising you that your key is ready for pickup at Bata Library Service desk. If there are no vacant carrels available, we will contact you to let you know you have been added to the wait list.