Olin Library
| Maps: | Level B | Level A | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
The John M. Olin Library is the central library of the Washington University Library System. It houses general-interest materials and collections in the humanities, social sciences, and engineering. It is also the location of many general services for the Washington University Libraries. See a brochure (in PDF) that shows the completed renovation, and information on awards the renovation has won. For more information about the Washington University Libraries, please see this Welcome page.
Listed below are the departments within Olin Library. Please look at the WU Libraries Organization and Staff chart to see how the Libraries are organized.
For more information about library policies and services, choose the appropriate department:
| Unit/Service | Phone | Email address: |
|
Administration Arc: Library Technology Center Circulation Help Desk Digital Library Services Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Preservation Reference Reserve Shelving Special Collections West Campus University Archives |
935-5400 935-4137 935-5420 935-5410 935-4022 935-5442 935-4287 935-5410 935-5451 935-4497 935-5495 935-9889 935-5444 |
libadmin@wumail.wustl.edu arc@wumail.wustl.edu circ@wumail.wustl.edu ref@wumail.wustl.edu digital@wumail.wustl.edu ill@wumail.wustl.edu pres@wumail.wustl.edu ref@wumail.wustl.edu reserve@wumail.wustl.edu shelving@wumail.wustl.edu spec@wumail.wustl.edu westcamp@wumail.wustl.edu spec@wumail.wustl.edu |
Additional general information is found below:
Olin Library Rules & Regulations
As a large building shared by many people, there are a number of general rules and regulations that must be observed within Olin. We appreciate your cooperation!
Studies, Lockable Bookshelves, & Day Lockers
Faculty studies are available to Hilltop faculty on a first-come first-served basis. Faculty may obtain a study by contacting the Head of Access. Lockable bookshelves are assigned to faculty and graduate students on a first-come first-served basis. Obtain a lockable bookshelf at the Check-out Desk (Level 1). Day lockers are also available on Levels B, A, 2, and 3; keys are available at the Check-Out Desk. Policy on the use of studies and lockers.
Artwork in Olin Library
There are a number of portraits and other artwork in Olin Library. Here's some info about them.
Change Machines
Change machines are located in the copy center on Level 1, near the entrance. The machines accept $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills and can give you coin change. There is also a machine which can give $1 bills. Circulation cannot make change. However, change is also available at the Bank of America in Mallinckrodt Center; bank hours are 9:30am-5:30pm. For problems with the change machines, please see staff in the Library Business Office, Level B, or call 935-4013, during regular business hours (8:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday).
Computers
Computers are available on all Levels in Olin. The majority of computers are on Level 1 and in the Arc: Library Technology Center on Level A. Please see this page for more information: Computing and Printing.
Disabled Access
There is an automated door at the entrance to the Library. An elevator is located on each floor. Please see People with Disabilities for more information.
DVDs
Olin Library has hundreds of DVDs. Here's how to find them.
Exhibits
Several spaces are available in Olin Library to mount exhibits: the lobby cases and the cube in Whispers Café. To see what's on display, or to request a space for your own exhibit, see Exhibitions in Olin Library & Whispers Café.
Food and Drink
Food is not permitted in Olin Library, except in Whispers Café. Covered drinks are allowed in the Library.
Group Study
There are five group study rooms on Level 2 along the East side. These rooms are for groups of three or more people. Individual users will be asked to leave if a group wants to use the room. Graduate study rooms are located on Levels B, A, 2, and 3. Faculty studies are located on the West side of Level 2.
Lost & Found
Lost items are turned in at either the Check-out Desk, Level 1, or the Administrative office, Level 3.
Microforms Equipment
The Microforms Area (Level A, outside the Arc) offers machines for reading and printing materials kept on microfilm and microfiche. Report equipment problems in the Microforms Area to the Arc staff.
Network Access
Students, faculty, and staff who have purchased a wireless card for their computers can now get access to the wireless network in Olin Library on Levels B, A, and 2. Want to know where? Here are some maps.
Phones
Direct phone lines to the Help Desk are by the computers on Levels B, A, 2, & 3.
There are 4 courtesy/campus phones near the entrance to Whispers, on your right as you enter the library. Dial '9' plus the number for an off-campus call. Courtesy/campus phones can also be found in the basement of the Women's Building; east entrance of Mallinckrodt Center, across from Hilltop Bakery; and the south door of Eads on the 1st floor. These phones can be used to make campus and local calls.
If you have a cell phone, please use it only in the staircase landing area on each floor. In other areas of Olin, cell phone and pager ringers should be turned off in order to minimize noise and distractions for library users.
Photocopiers
Card-operated photocopiers are located on each level of Olin Library. Two of the copiers in the copy center on Level 1 can take coins. Cost per copy is 12.5 cents with a card, 15 cents with coins. A color copier is also available in the copy center and costs $1 per copy. Please report photocopier problems to the Check-out Desk on Level 1. More information about copiers.
Photocopier Card Machines
Purchase a card for the photocopiers from either of 2 machines in Olin on Level 1 (main floor) in the copy center. Use a $1 bill to get a card which is pre-programmed with 4 copies; add additional copies to the same card by re-inserting the card into the machine and inserting $1, $5, $10, or $20 bills (8 copies per $1 added). Please note that you can buy a copy card with a $5, $10, or $20 bill - but you must quickly reinsert the new card into the machine to have any funds over $1 added to the card. If someone else inserts a different card, that person will get your money!
WU Departments may purchase a copy card for use with photocopiers or library printers, to be charged to a departmental account. Purchase the cards in the Olin Library Administrative Office, Level 3, Monday-Friday, 9am - 4:30pm. These cards are available in the following denominations: $12.50, $25.00, $37.50, and $50.00. Please bring a memo stating: name of department; box number; account number to be charged; name and phone number of person responsible for handling accounts in your department; number of cards or copies desired. Your departmental account will then be debited at the end of each month for the amount of cards purchased.
NOTE: Photocopier cards purchased in Olin Library can be used at all Hilltop Campus libraries, including Law, Social Work, and Business. They WILL NOT WORK at the Becker Medical Library.
Please report equipment problems to the Check-out Desk on Level 1. For refunds, they will refer you to staff in the Library Business Office, Level B, during regular business hours (8:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday, phone: 935-4013).
Plaza Scripts
Curious about the scripts displayed on the Olin Library plaza? We've created a web guide about them.
Printing
There are printers for your use connected to the computers in Olin Library and the other campus libraries. Here is some information about using them.
Quiet Study
Graduate study rooms are located on Levels B, A, 2, and 3. Quiet study rooms for undergraduates are located on Levels B, A, 2, and 3. Faculty studies are located on the West side of Levels 2 and 3. Please see these floor maps for the locations. Please note that A30 (grads) and A34 (undergrads) have been designated 'keyboard-free' rooms - no laptop or other keyboard devices are allowed, to enhance quiet study.
Typewriters
Olin Library no longer has typewriters for public use. The only public typewriter on campus is at the Ann W. Olin Women's Building, in Room 20.
Videostations
Videos and DVDs can be viewed in the Arc on Level A. Some departmental libraries also maintain video equipment.
Whispers Café
Inside the front door of Olin Library is the entrance to the Café, which is open 24 hours/day during the academic year. As well as serving food and drink, there are 15 computers with Internet and email access, Word, the rest of the Microsoft Office suite, and several other applications.