The main floor of the Library includes dozens of study carrels (cubicles) with locking overhead cabinets. Anyone may sit at a study carrel; keys for the locking overhead cabinets are available for semester-long loans to the following student groups:

  • students registered with Accessibility Services;
  • graduate students; or,
  • any undergraduate student writing an honours thesis.

Contact the Library at 902-457-6250 or library@msvu.ca for more information.

Please note that study carrels are considered quiet study areas. Students looking for group study or conversation space should consider booking a study room or working in the Learning Commons (near the front desk). 

Refundable Key Deposit

Eligible students pay a $20 refundable key deposit and may renew their key each semester without any additional charge (as long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements).

Deposits are 100% refundable if a carrel key is returned or renewed on time and in good condition. You may forfeit your $20 deposit if your key is significantly overdue.

If a key is lost, the deposit is forfeited and a $30 replacement charge is added to the student’s account. The Library provides this fee to MSVU’s Maintenance team, which will re-key the lock.

Eligible Students

Library staff will determine your eligibility in one of the following ways:

  • Graduate Students – Library staff will ask to see your MSVU ID card;
  • Undergraduate Thesis Students – Library staff will check the university database for your thesis registration;
  • Students Registered with Accessibility Services – Library staff will look for an email from the Accessibility Office. Library staff won’t ask you to disclose any information about your health or accommodations. Please ask the Accessibility Office to send a note to library@msvu.ca indicating that you are eligible for a carrel.

Requesting a Key

Study carrel keys are requested and paid for in person at the Library.

Eligible students are welcome to browse the Library and look for a suitable open (unlocked) cabinet. Please note the carrel number and bring it to the Library’s front desk.

A paper map of available carrels is also available.

You will be asked to read and sign a Carrel Agreement form and pay the $20 deposit. The Library accepts cash, debit, MasterCard, and Visa.

Library staff will provide you with a receipt, a key, and a “Carrel In Use” sticker. You will be asked to test your key and place the sticker on your cabinet as soon as possible.

Renewing a Key

Renewals are now free! Students can renew their carrel as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

Renewals are on a per-semester basis. The due date you see on your Library account will usually be January 15, April 30, or August 31.

Returning a Key

Your deposit ($20) is fully refundable in cash if your key is returned on time, in good condition, and your carrel is clean/empty.

Please sign your Carrel Agreement form again to confirm that you returned your key and received your deposit.