CSULB Headquarters for Research and Study - Inside the Campus Library

Open to not only CSULB faculty, staff and students, the campus library is a community resource to all visitors, providing access to a variety of materials and services.

CSULB Library. Photo taken from csulb.edu.

Although it seems in today's world that almost anything you would find in a library can be found on the internet, it is reassuring to know, for those of us who still do utilize such resources, that the campus library still sees a significant number of students and visitors throughout the year.

Journalism Major and Creative Writing Minor, Paul Leigh, has been a part of the CSULB library staff for three years now, and assures me that the library sees a lot of traffic throughout the school year. Working as a shelver for the library, I'm sure this is something that he would especially know.

With a staff of about 13, Leigh says that he really enjoys working at the library, as they are very flexible and considerate of his school schedule. "It's also really convenient since it's on campus," he says, "so it makes it easier to work in-between classes."

Operating hours for the library are:
Monday - Thursday 7:45 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday 7:45 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 12:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.

The library consists of four floors; the Lower Level and 1st floor are intended for the use of the services provided on those floors (reference, reserve, current periodicals, media, computing) and are not designated as quiet study areas. Floors and areas which are designated for quiet and group study are as follows:

Group Study:

3rd Floor study room

Spidell Technology Center, south wall

Quiet Study areas:

2nd floor study room

4th floor stacks, perimeter carrels

Although there are a number of services and resources available through the library, there are certain services available only to faculty, staff and students which are not available for visitors. These services include:

• interlibrary loan (Illiad) and LINK+ services
• Information Commons computer lab
• access to Course Reserve materials
• course specific instruction
• remote access to our licensed databases

Leigh reports that the busiest times for the library are usually around 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., and the weeks leading up to and during finals week. "It can get really hectic as many books are left out of place throughout the floors," he says. "Sometimes patrons even get mad when the book they're looking for is not there."

When asked if there are any recommendations or requests that he would give to those visiting the library, he strongly suggests that people go to "Coast" and look for the "call number" of the book they are looking for before asking where the book is. "People come in all the time asking where they can find certain types of books and just figure we know where they are."

The library is scheduled to be open 24 hours a day beginning May 8 until May 20 for finals week. The Starbucks inside of the library will also be extending its hours from 7:30 a.m. to midnight. 

For those looking to attend Summer Session, 2011, library hours are as follows:

Sunday - Closed

Monday - Thursday - 8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Friday - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

* Closed July 4th in observance of Independence Day.