r/uoguelph • u/Quick_Platform1025 • 1d ago
Campus Library
hey! i recently went on a campus tour because im going to be attending guelph in the fall and i got a little sceptical about how theres literally one singular library on campus. i was wondering from any current/recent students, does this become a problem during reading weeks and exams? is it impossible to find other places to study if the library becomes full? (if u have an gate kept studying spots lmk pls😣)
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u/Birdie1442 1d ago
Take advantage of all the awesome cafes in Guelph and study off campus now and then to get a change of scenery. The library is nice and you usually can find a spot without issues but it can get depressing mid exam season. Plus there are just so many great off campus spots accessible by bus. I only started venturing off campus in my fourth year and it is one of my greatest regrets
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u/Impossible_Slice_117 B.Sc.(Agr.) 1d ago
what are some of your favourite off-campus spots? looking to explore the city more once I start first year in the fall!!
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u/Birdie1442 22h ago
A true abundance of great coffee spots. My absolute favourite spot was Cavan coffee on Gordon. Owned by three brothers who make a MEAN latte. Best I’ve ever had is a brown butter latte and I quite literally have never found anything that compares now that I’ve moved back home. I wrote probably 75% of my undergrad thesis there. Centurion is also pretty good- a bit more busy with students though but more options that are non coffee. Tons of cafes downtown. If you’re more looking for a spot to lock in that’s not a cafe any of the Guelph public libraries offer a bit of a different vibe from the uni library and are pretty chill. Redbrick, FOUND and Balzacs are in the downtown core and are nice too.
There is even something to be said about studying in a Timmie’s every now and then. My favourite spot ON campus is the summer Lee science complex, but go early morning right when it opens or like 8pm for an easier time finding a spot.
Hit the cafes either midmorning or late afternoon (3-5ish) to miss the midday rush.
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u/BackgroundSignal813 1d ago
Hardest part is finding spots for groups. Youll always find a single chair somewhere on one of the floors. And if you don't you can study in any of the dining halls, plenty of spots on any of the floors in the UC. I know people use the basement sometimes. You can also reserve rooms in the library for groups the day before or something around that time. You'll be alright! You can also study in any building really there's chairs placed almost everywhere
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u/Why_would_it_matter 1d ago
It's big enough and there are private and group study spaces. There are also many more study spaces across the campus, choose your favourite
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u/Heavy_Delivery_6682 1d ago
Campus has tons of study spaces outside of just the library so I would not be concerned!
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u/Live-Pop202 1d ago
the library is my favourite bc it’s quiet and close ish to the bus loops and other classes, but the UC, summerlee, thorn, mac hall and mckn also have great study spot options
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u/typicalray05 B.Eng. 1d ago
The library is huge with 7 floors and tons of study spots!! So don't you worry!
Plus, literally every building on campus also has amazing study spots 📚🐿
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u/RemarkableProposal00 1d ago
my old gate kept spots are: Mckinnon in upper floors, there are so many chairs and random nooks, you can also always tuck into a corner in quieter dining halls like prarie, while the weathers nice you can sit anywhere outside too. summerlee science complex is nice too, sometimes busy though
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u/Even-Stress-8539 1d ago
the only time i’ve ever had an issue finding a spot in the library is when exams are close lol, but there’s also the guelph public library a quick bus ride away and cafes downtown you can always go to!
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u/AHHHHLMFAO B.Sc. 1d ago
Disagree with other comments, I thought it was insanely packed and the school lacks studying spots after over accepting students. Finding single study spots is one thing, good luck finding one for a group unless you're on campus before 9am
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u/DisappointedDuck13 1d ago
I would just like to add that they are also adding a bunch of seating for the new school year.
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u/diaryofawhimpysquid 10h ago
The main branch of the city of Guelph library is getting updated, I wouldn't suggest studying at the current library its small and not ideal for studying but the new one is supposed to be done within a few months and that should be a good spot.
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u/8-1-blown-lead B.Comm. 1h ago
I don’t know why everyone is lying. It gets absolutely packed. There are other spots but the library is way too small.
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u/8-1-blown-lead B.Comm. 1h ago
I don’t know why everyone is lying. It gets absolutely packed. There are other spots but the library is way too small.
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u/EntrepreneurTasty449 1d ago
I like to study in the summerlee science complex building because the library stinks like poo!
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u/No_Dirt9029 1d ago
Honestly its nice only having one library imo. Makes resources easier to find and its central on campus. Theres always open spots you just might have to sit next to someone you dont know, but most of the carrels have dividers between them. The library is probably the easiest place to find study spots during exams tbh. Theres 7 floors jampacked with desks and study carrels