Explore Spaces

The Ann Hartness Reading Room, named in recognition of Hartness’s 38-year career and tenure as head librarian of the Benson, is on the main (first) floor of the Benson Latin American Collection in SRH 1. The all-access room includes the main Benson service desk, PC workstations, a library catalog computer, public printer, microfilm reader, flatbed scanner, overhead book scanner, and an exhibition space.

Carrels are enclosed desks available at the Benson Latin American Collection for Latin American Studies graduate students, faculty and visiting scholars. These carrels are assigned on a semester basis.

Computer workstations at the Architecture and Planning Library.

Located in Scholars Commons, the Data Lab has 8 iMacs. Software programs specific to this lab include Stata MP, NVivo, and OpenRefine. This lab is open to all current staff, faculty, and students.

If you are interested in bringing a class to the Data Lab please contact us at scholarscommons@austin.utexas.edu.

Note: Proctorio and other remote proctoring test software is not available on Libraries computers and private spaces are not available for proctored test taking.  

The Fine Arts Library carrel space is a mix of reservable desks and reservable shelves located on level 5 of the library. Carrels are checked out on a semester basis and are renewable. The first week of classes priority checkout access is given to graduate students. After the first week of classes any undergraduate or graduate student can reserve a space. Visit the Fine Arts Library desk to request a carrel or shelf.

Open seating and study tables in the library stacks, which are available for quiet, individual study.

Located at the far end of the Scholars Commons and accessible by UT ID cards, the Graduate Landing Spot offers a kitchenette, lounge areas and media-equipped, reservable meeting rooms for UT graduate students. These rooms may be used for group study and meetings with other graduate students, and consultations with UT Libraries staff. 

Small room in the Library stacks, with study carrel for quiet, individual learning. Greek Authors are located here.

Small room in the Library stacks with table and lounge chair for quiet, individual learning. Latin Authors are featured in this space.

Location: PCL Lobby

Who Can Use: All campus

For: Lactation Only

Room is equipped with an Ameda Elite Breast Pump. 

The room is walk-up, not reservable. Please sign in at the PCL Desk with UT ID and get a key.

Open seating and study tables in the library stacks, which are available for quiet, individual study.

The PCL Reflection Space is designed for wellness breaks, quiet meditation and brief retreats from studying. The UT community is encouraged to use the two rooms in the space to relax and reflect in a calm environment.

Location: PMA 8.200

Who Can Use: All campus

For: Lactation or Rest

The room is walk-up, not reservable. Contact PMA library staff at (512) 495-4610. Room is equipped with an Ameda Elite Breast Pump.

Small tables with natural light for individual quiet study.

The Rare Books and Manuscripts Reading Room is where researchers can go to access any of the Benson's special collections.

The Richard T. and Jan J. Roberts reading room is housed in the iconic Hall of Texas located on the west end of the Life Science Library. The Hall of Texas – donning the names of influential figures in Texas History and cultural iconography of the various inhabitants of the state – is a large, all-access space dedicated to quiet study, and features natural light, large and small tables, and abundant seating.

Exhibit Guidelines | Exhibit Proposal Form | Past Exhibits

Exhibits at the Scholars Commons @PCL provide an excellent opportunity for the Libraries to engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary projects, especially with graduate students, faculty members and others in the University community. Exhibits have a permanent presence in our online repository, Texas ScholarWorks.

The goals of the Exhibits in the Scholars Commons @PCL are to: 

• Infuse concepts of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA)
• Promote the diverse holdings and scholarly value of specific Library collections
• Promote the role of the Libraries, its collections, resources, services, and staff as central to the research and teaching programs of the University
• Encourage individuals from the University community to collaborate with the Libraries to showcase research and scholarship
• Support university events, programs, symposia, activities, and accomplishments
• Promote University and community relations

If you have an exhibit to suggest for the Scholars Commons @PCL, please take a look at our in-depth Exhibits Guidelines before you fill out our Exhibit Proposal Form. You will be contacted by the Exhibits Advisory Committee, but you may email us with questions. 

The main room in our Scholars Commons is dedicated to silent study when not being used for presentations and symposia. Designed with a variety of needs in mind, the goal was to create a space where any serious scholar would find a spot to be contemplative and productive.

Partitioned individual study spaces.

Small tables with natural light for individual quiet study.

Small tables for individual quiet study.

The Benson Latin American Collection's Study Commons is our quiet study space, featuring study tables with electrical outlets and check-out shelves for Benson materials you want to keep in the building.

The Hall of Noble Words, one of two spacious reading rooms in the Life Science Library, is located on the west end of the library. The Hall of Noble Words – displaying philosophical quotes from some of the world's most influential authors, philosophers, and leaders – is a large, all-access space dedicated to quiet study, and features natural light, large and small tables, and abundant seating.

The PCL Map Room houses a large print map collection, atlases, travel guides, and globes. There are five large tables suitable for looking at map and studying and a large format scanner for digitizing maps.