What are Robarts carrels?
The assigned carrels at Robarts Library are small, lockable study rooms for single occupancy, located side-by-side along the peripheral walls of each stack floor (floors 9 to 13). They are assigned on an annual basis to eligible researchers in the Humanities and Social sciences. Each carrel is equipped with a chair and desk, bookshelves, and a drawer or cabinet.
The use of carrels is restricted to quiet study. Since noise travels easily across neighbouring carrels, all noise-producing activities (e.g. online or in person meetings, conference calls, phone conversations, etc.) are prohibited in these spaces.
Eligibility for assigned carrels at Robarts Library is restricted to enrolled graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and visiting scholars within programs of the humanities and social sciences at the University of Toronto (SGS divisions I and II).
The demand for carrels always exceeds vacancies. For this reason, priority is given to PhD students in their thesis-writing stage (those in years 3 or above), postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members on research leave. PhD students in years 1 and 2, MA students, and visiting scholars are eligible to apply, but are placed in lower priority groups on the waitlist. A complete breakdown of the priority groups established by SGS is available on the Robarts carrel services webpage.
Applications for Robarts carrels must be submitted anytime between May 1st and August 31st (although late applications are accepted), to be considered for the academic year beginning in September. The application form is accessible through the Robarts carrel services webpage. Please make sure to read the ‘Eligibility’ and ‘New Applicants’ sections of the webpage before submitting an application.
Please note: Applications do not carry forward. Applicants who are not assigned to a carrel by April 30th must submit a new application anytime between May 1st and August 31st (no sooner) to be considered for the subsequent academic year.
A carrel assignment covers one academic year, ending on August 31st, and is subject to annual renewal. Current carrel occupants who wish to extend their occupancy over the subsequent academic year should use the same form to apply for a renewal, making sure to indicate the number of their current carrel in the ‘current carrel’ field.
Renewal applications must be submitted between May 1st and August 31st (no sooner). Responses to renewal applications are sent out via email in late September/October. Unless no longer eligible, renewal applicants may continue using their carrels after August 31st while awaiting a response.
Keeping in mind that the space and furniture in a Robarts carrel can accommodate only one person at a time, if you wish to share a carrel with an eligible colleague, you’ll need to indicate their name in the provided field on your application form, or, if already submitted, contact the carrel office directly at carrel.applications@utoronto.ca. Your colleague will also need to submit an application and indicate your name in the same field. If and when you are assigned to a carrel, each of you will receive your own key.
Access to carrels must be approved and facilitated by the Carrel Office. You may not loan your key or otherwise provide access any other way.
We begin assigning carrels in September, off of a waitlist that has been populated from May 1st to August 31st, in accordance with the priority groups established by SGS. We continue assigning carrels up until April 30th, as vacancies allow. Once you are assigned to a carrel, you will be contacted by the Carrel Office with instructions on when and where to pick up your carrel key. Applicants who have not been assigned to a carrel by April 30th must submit a new application anytime between May 1st and August 31st (no sooner) to be considered for the subsequent academic year. More information about the assignment process is available on the Robarts carrel services website.
- The use of carrels is restricted to quiet study. Any form of noisemaking, such as conducting online meetings, in-person discussions, phone conversations, or playing audio is strictly prohibited, as it is disruptive to carrel occupants nearby.
- You may store library books inside your carrel only if they are signed out. Library material with a no-borrowing policy cannot be kept inside carrels.
- You may decorate your carrel so long as this doesn’t result in markup or damage. For safety and security reasons the window in the carrel door cannot be obstructed.
- Additional regulations, more specific to carrel use, will be issued when you take possession of a carrel.
- All U of T Library Conduct Regulations apply.
- Empty it of all content.
- Remove your nametag from the door window.
- Return all library books to the service desk on the first floor.
- Return the key-fob and carrel card to any staff in room 1008—just let them know you’re dropping these off for the Carrel Office.
Robarts book lockers are small cube-lockers located on floors 9, 11, and 13 of the stacks. They provide an alternative (not a supplementary) storage space to Robarts carrels, and are subject to the same eligibility requirements.
Eligible researchers in the Humanities and Social Sciences who wish to apply for a locker instead of a carrel need to contact the Carrel Office directly at carrel.applications@utoronto.ca.
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Gerstein Science Information Centre
Eligible graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the Physical and Life Sciences (SGS Divisions III and IV) can apply for a carrel at Gerstein Library. For more information, please visit this page.
Kelly Library (St. Michael's College)
Eligible Faculty of Theology Advanced Degree students can apply for a carrel at Kelly Library. For more information, please visit this page.
Graham Library (Trinity College)
Graduate students of Trinity or Wycliffe College enrolled in any of the PhD, DMin, ThM or MA programs may apply for a carrel or locker at Graham Library. For more information, please visit this page.
Cheng Yu Tung East Asian Library
Graduate students, faculty and staff may apply for a carrel at the East Asian Library, but priority is given to those from the East Asian Studies department. For more information, please visit this page.