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Pence Law Library Circulation Desk: Where to Study

Pence Law Library & the WCL Tenley Campus Study Options

Pence Law Library regularly polices noise in the library. The library is designed so that as you ascend the floors and walk further away from the stairs, the library gets quieter. The first floor is intended to be a more collaborative space with study tables and computer work stations. Quieter study spaces are available on the upper floors of the Law Library. Collaborative spaces are available in the Commons on the Terrace level and also on the Second and Third floors near the stairs. Single study carrels are also available on the Second and Third Floors of the library. The reading room and other locations throughout the library have designated "Silent Tables" for quiet study as well. 

Study Rooms

There are 24 group study rooms located on the 2nd & 3rd floors of the library and on the Terrace level in the commons for use by WCL students.  The following policies apply:

  • Group study rooms must be reserved HERE
  • Use of group study rooms is limited to groups of WCL students. A group is defined as two or more students using the room concurrently.
  • Individual students may use empty rooms, but may not reserve rooms.
  • Students using a room without a reservation may be asked to leave the room by the group with a reservation.
  • Group study room use is limited to 2 hours per user per day to ensure availability for all users.
  • Reservations must be booked in contiguous time blocks up to 2 hours per day.
  • Furnishings from other parts of the Library may not be brought into group study rooms without library authorization.
  • All library and Washington College of Law policies apply to students using group study rooms.
  • Group study rooms are subject to availability and reservations may be modified at any time by Library staff.
  • These policies are subject to change.

Collaborative Study Spaces

Collaborative spaces are available to encourage group study and social students. These areas are generally near the top of the stairs on the Second and Third floors of the library. In addition, the Commons area is intended to be a collaborative environment. There are also a number of other spaces throughout the campus that offer a similar study setting, including the Knowledge Bars on the Terrace and 1st floors of Yuma and Warren as well as the Library Lobby in the Warren building. Groups might also consider reserving a study room.

Library Lobby (1st Floor Warren)

Collaborative Spaces on the 2nd & 3rd Floors of the Library (Top of the Stairs)

​Commons (Terrace Level)

Quiet Study Spaces

There is no designated "silent" study space in the library. The reading room and other locations throughout the library have designated "Silent Tables" for quiet study as well. 

Tune out Noise

The library offers Headphones and Earplugs to ensure a comfortable study and scholarly environment.

Earplugs are available at the Circulation Desk and in the Student Convenience Centers

Headphones are available at the Circulation Desk

Please report any issues to circ@wcl.american.edu

Study Carrels

Individual Study Carrels are available on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the library.

​Private Study Carrels (past the group study rooms on the 2d & 3d Floors of the library)

​​Semi-Private Carrels (2d & 3d Floors of the library near the windows furthest from the stairs)

Do not leave your materials unattended

Please remember to secure your belongings when you take breaks. You should use your own campus locker. Also the Pence Law Library has Laptop Lockers (or other devices) that not only allow you to secure your materials, but also charge your device at the same time.