Date Approved: 9/29/2025
Effective Date: 9/29/2025
Responsible Position: Administrative Assistant
Responsible Office/Department/Team: Administrative Services
Related Legislation/Policies: Library Code of Conduct
Review Period: Annually
Date of Last Review: 8/25/2026
Relates to: Graduate Student of Case Western Reserve University
Policy Statement
Kelvin Smith Library (KSL) advances the research, teaching, and learning mission of the University by providing study carrels for graduate students. Study carrels are open to all graduate students, but primary consideration is given to graduate students working on dissertations, theses, or research projects that are part of the student’s graduate program. The carrels are distributed at random at the beginning of each fall semester.
Purpose of this Policy
To provide guidelines on the use of graduate study carrels in the Kelvin Smith Library.
Definitions
Graduate study carrel: located on the 1st and 3rd floors of the Kelvin Smith Library. Carrels are positioned around the perimeters of the shelving areas and on the inside of the 3rd floor quiet study area. Carrels have two locking upper bins.
The Policy
Graduate study carrels are available to all graduate students currently enrolled and in good standing in any of the graduate programs on the CWRU campus. Preference is given to graduate students working on dissertations, theses, or research projects that are part of the student’s graduate program.
Graduate study carrels are located on the 1st and 3rd floors of the Kelvin Smith Library. They provide temporary storage for research materials, with two locking upper bins. Carrels are distributed through a request process and are assigned for one academic year from fall term through the end of the summer term.
Process
The graduate study request for all eligible applicants begins in the fall semester on the 2nd Monday in September and lasts for two weeks. Those interested in acquiring a carrel for the year should look for notifications in different CWRU marketing emails and signage in the library and use the application process to apply for a carrel. Carrels will be assigned to those requests received during this period giving first preference to those working on a thesis, dissertation, or research project for their graduate program. Any names collected beyond the number of studies available or after the request period will be added to a waitlist. Assigned carrels not claimed within two weeks after the request will be offered to those on the waitlist.
If you are assigned a carrel through the request process, you will be contacted through email. Emails are only sent to @case.edu email addresses. The email will inform you of your study carrel and where to pick up the keys. Keys are the property of the Kelvin Smith Library, and original keys must be returned. Carrel keys can be returned to the service center on level one or library administration on level two of KSL any time during the year, if the carrel is no longer needed. If you keep the carrel for the entire year carrel keys must be returned by the end of the summer session.
There is no cost for the use of the graduate study carrel, but a lock replacement fee will be added to your library record if the key is lost or it is not returned.
Rights of Use
The student assigned to the carrel has first rights to its use. A sign will be attached to the carrel to let others know it is assigned for the academic year.
Library materials left unattended on the carrel work surface will be collected and reshelved. To store materials at the carrel, they should be checked out and stored in the locked bins.
Personal belongings may be kept in the carrel’s two upper locking bins. Please note that Case Western Reserve University and Kelvin Smith Library will not be responsible for any damage, theft or loss of personal property kept in or on the carrel.
The carrel assignment will be revoked and security will be contacted if library staff discover alcohol or any other material deemed dangerous, illegal, or contrary to university policies.
Library staff reserve the right to inspect the graduate carrels at any time.
Please contact library administration (216) 368-2992 or KSLadministration@case.edu for any issues regarding carrels.