The Georgia Tech Library offers a near-endless array of resources for students, faculty, and staff wanting to do research, study, read, and learn. At times, it may be overwhelming just to try to figure out what is available and how to obtain it. 

Though the Library is in the middle of change, it continues to provide the same robust service to the Georgia Tech community. Here’s a primer for getting started, but don’t let this be the limits of your usage.

Read a Book

All enrolled undergraduate and graduate students may borrow items from the Library, with the due date usually being at the end of the semester during which the item is checked out. Online requests can be picked up at the Library Services Desk inside the main entrance.

All faculty and staff who are paid through the Georgia Tech Payroll Office also may borrow resources from the Library. Faculty members can even authorize others to borrow books in their name by designating a proxy if a project calls for it. There is no limit to the number of regular borrowed items, and the due date for borrowed items is usually one year from checkout date. The LENDS service brings items right to the borrower’s campus mailbox or office door within two to three days of an online request.

The entire Tech community also has access to Emory University’s full stock of resources, in addition to those of other University System of Georgia institutions. Most materials can be requested online through the Library’s PRIMO system. (Read more about how to borrow resources.) 

Use Technology

The Library’s Gadget program offers free loans of laptops, digital cameras, camcorders, tablets, GoPros, and more, with varying loan times. New this semester is a self-service kiosk for PC laptops, located on the first floor directly across from the Library Services Desk. Check out time is four hours, and no data can be saved between uses. Mac laptops are available at the Library Services Desk.

The Library is also home to 20 flatbed scanners, large format printers, and a multimedia suite housing computers equipped with software for video editing, photo editing, sound editing, and graphic design.

If you don’t know how to use the software, the Library offers free beginner classes in a number of programs, particularly Adobe Creative programs. View upcoming classes. 

The Library also recently added lockers with charging equipment where students can leave laptops and other devices to charge during the day. The charging lockers are available for four hours at a time and are located next to the main entrance on the first floor. (Read more about printing, scanning, and technology.) 

Find a Space 

The Library is open 24 hours a day. Floors one and two are designated for collaborative work, while floors three and four are designated as quiet floors for individual study. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In Clough Commons, space can be reserved online and rooms will unlock with the reserving BuzzCard. Some rooms can be reserved online through an instant reservation, while others — such as presentation rehearsal space and classrooms — require more approval time. The rooftop garden, atrium, auditoriums, and third floor gallery are all available for event space. (More information about space in Clough Commons.)

Talk to an Expert

For users whose needs go beyond the basic, the Library provides an Expert Consultation Center weekdays from noon to 4 p.m. on the first floor West, next to the entrance to the fourth floor of Clough Commons. Users can drop in or make an appointment for assistance.