Study in the Libraries

Study spaces

Our libraries have a wide variety of spaces for you to be productive, relax between classes, meet with a group, print out a paper, and more:

• Reserve an individual or group study room including the sensory-friendly study room in Wilson Library.
• Try our three reflection and wellness rooms and explore all library spaces — search by noise level, capacity, and natural light.
• Visit the Toaster Innovation Hub in the basement of Walter Library or the Makerspace and the Virtual Reality Studio in the Health Sciences Library and explore cool new technologies.
• The Study Space Finder has study space in buildings on the East Bank, West Bank, and St. Paul. Use the map to see available spaces close to your spring classes.

Friday Finish at Walter Library

Need to get caught up from the busy week? Come to Walter Library for a relaxed yet productive study time at the Friday Finish. Peer tutors, including research and writing help, will be available. Start at the first floor to sign in for a chance to win fun door prizes, view the study break schedule, grab a snack, then find your perfect study spot to get it done.

Academic support and resources

We are here for you with 24/7 chat!

24/7 chat is on every Libraries webpage. It’s staffed by humans, never an AI bot, whenever you need help or get stuck with your research.

Assignment Calculator

Stay on track with big assignments this semester. The Assignment Calculator breaks down research and writing projects into manageable steps based on your due dates.

Peer tutoring

Level up. Visit success.umn.edu to find in-person and online peer tutoring for over 250 courses as well as other free academic support services.

Boost your study skills with Effective U

Use Effective U to boost your skills for time management, concentration, study habits, research papers, note taking, capstones, test taking, surviving group projects, and more.

Learn about AI

Enroll in GenAI+U, a free virtual learning experience for students designed to give you the tools to be an effective, ethical, and responsible user of Generative AI (GenAI). Feelings about GenAI use vary, and that’s okay! The goal of this learning experience is not to tell you how to use GenAI. Instead, complete this learning experience to enhance your critical understanding of AI and how you can use it (if desired) in your academic and everyday life.

Interested in faculty-sponsored research?

Conducting research as an undergraduate is one of the great advantages of attending an R1 institution like the University of Minnesota. Check out Think Like a Researcher, a free, mini Canvas course designed to help you become comfortable with the skills and tools needed to get started in undergraduate research. It is self-paced (2-3 hours) and includes activities and videos of student researchers, faculty mentors, and more.

Get help with geospatial data

Need maps, GIS, or geospatial data for a class project? The Borchert Map Library can help.

• Find data fast: Access 100,000+ maps, datasets, and aerial imagery in the BTAA Geoportal — plus short video tutorials to get you started.
• Get help & share your work: Meet one-on-one with map experts (mapref@umn.edu) and present your project at the free, virtual Big Ten GIS Conference on April 17.

Research support

Meet with your librarian

Schedule an online or in-person consultation with one of our experts. Get personalized, in-depth research support or an overview of the resources available to you. Explore library resources and services for graduate students.

Research data services

Get started with managing your data and research materials including numbers, text, statistics, survey results, code, images, interviews, audio, video, geospatial, and more.

Citation management

Are you using a tool (like Zotero or EndNote) to organize your PDFs and automatically create in-text citations in your Word or Google doc? These tools can create a bibliography in MLA, APA, CSE, footnotes, endnotes, or other styles in seconds. They organize your PDFs and can help with group projects, too. We can answer questions and help you learn citation management tools.

Try BrowZine for reading journals

Keep up to date and read scholarly journals, available from the Libraries, on your tablet device, iPhone, or via the web using BrowZine. Create personal libraries of your favorite journals and set up alerts for new issues of journals.

Level up your creativity

Learn new skills with Maker Bootcamp

Enroll in the Maker Bootcamp. This self-paced, non-credit Canvas course offers project-based training on skills like using Makerspace equipment (such as 3D printers, laser cutter, etc.) and design software (such as 3D CAD and 2D Vector Software), to create original projects. The curriculum is open to anyone on campus with quickstart guides for rapid learning. Get started today!

Spotlight your creativity at the Creators Showcase

Do you enjoy creating digital media, virtual reality experiences, or digital fabrication projects (such as 3D modeling)? Have a project you want to share? Submit it to the Creators Showcase 2026 by March 13. Send your entry for a chance to win one of our gift card prizes!

Creative workshops to start your year right

Learn a new skill, meet other makers, and explore new technologies in the Libraries Creation and Innovation Hubs! Check out all our workshops.

Bonus: free upcoming events, fun reading, and more!

Blind Date With a Book

Our popular “blind date with a book” is back. Visit a library, select a wrapped book, check it out with your U Card, unwrap, and discover if it’s love-at-first-read! The books include fiction, graphic novels, mysteries, romances, and more. Read and enter to win prizes in the Winter Reading Challenge.

PAWS at Wilson Library

Join us in the Wilson Library for PAWS (Pet Away Worry & Stress) sessions featuring registered therapy animal teams — including dogs, bunnies, chickens, and other therapy animals.

Exhibits and events

Visit one of our exhibits and take an immersive deep dive through history with the UMN Archives and Special Collections! Topics range from women’s role in healthcare in the rural midwest to 125 years of The Minnesota Daily and more.

Check out our upcoming events list for even more free opportunities to visit, learn, and de-stress with the Libraries.