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The Gordon Library is a dynamic study and learning center on the WPI campus. Designed with the needs of our users in mind, the Gordon Library provides spaces, resources, and experiences to support their various academic pursuits.

*Please note that during the 2020 - 2021 academic year, library study spaces have been arranged to support social distancing.  Total capacity of the building is currently 240.  To inform library users when planning their time at the library, current library occupancy can be viewed online.

In addition to the spaces described below, several spaces are designated for special uses, including the Gordon Library Conference Room.  These spaces can be reserved online.

Descriptions of spaces in the Gordon Library can be found below. Reserve a room or consult the library floor plans.

Our four floors are easily accessible by all users.

  • All floors are accessible by stairs and elevator.
  • Restrooms are located on all floors as well as accessible restrooms; a multi-stall gender-neutral bathroom is located on the first floor in the multimedia lab area. Please note that during the 2020 - 2021 academic year all library restrooms are configured for single occupancy and are gender-neutral.

 

  • Browsery

    student studying the BrowseryLocated on the third floor, the Browsery is a comfortable reading and browsing area with rotating featured book collections. The inaugural collections include:

    • the Strage collection, with books on innovation, creativity in business, and entrepreneurship, made possible through the generosity of WPI Professor Henry Strage '54 and his wife Alberta Strage. Titles for this collection are selected by Gina Betti, Associate Director, WPI Collaborative for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
    • "Visualizing across the Disciplines," funded by the Frank and Wilma Berth Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, is a collection of works on visualization, visual and graphic design, and visual literacy and rhetoric. Books were selected for this collection based on the theme of "See Differently/See Profoundly," taking inspiration from visual communication expert Edward Tufte, who said: "The commonality between science and art is in trying to see profoundly--to develop strategies of seeing and showing." Browse all books in this Collection.
    • "Going somewhere? Books for your global experience," with books and other information resources to enhance WPI students' cultural understanding as they engage in their IQP projects at WPI Project Centers. Books selected for this collection range from practical works on intercultural communication to foster collaborative relationships with global humanitarian and cultural institutions,  research method guidebooks to support the project work, to books on the history, politics and culture of each of the 50+ global project centers. Browse all books in this Collection.

    All of the books in the Browsery are available for browsing and borrowing by the WPI community. The Gordon Library also welcomes comments and suggestions on future areas of development for these collections at colldev@wpi.edu.

  • Class of 1970 Library Café

    Students at the Class of 1970 library cafeThe Class of 1970 Library Café, adjacent to the Information Commons, provides an attractive place to enjoy light refreshments and the company of friends.

    *Please note that the Library Café will close on September 11 for the remainder of A Term. Library users are welcome to enjoy hot and cold drinks in the library but due to mask-wearing requirements, no eating is allowed anywhere in the library.

  • Computers

    students at computers in Information commonsComputers for general use are located throughout the Library. They include:

    • Multimedia workstations with graphics-intensive software available in the InfoCommons near the Library Cafe on the entrance level.
    • Bloomberg Terminals, also located in the InfoCommons near the Library Cafe. Additional terminals are also available in the Financial Math Lab (Salisbury 412) and Foisie Business School (Washburn 323).
    • Multimedia lab on the first floor with graphics-intensive software.
    • Wireless computer network access available in the building for personal laptops and those loaned from the IT Service Desk. Contact the IT Service desk to check one out or to set up your wireless access.

    *Please note that the following resources will not be available during Fall 2020 (they are reserved to support remote students and other special needs).

  • Faculty Publications

    student reading a book in the faculty publications areaBooks published by WPI faculty are on display in the Faculty Publications area. Featuring a comfortable bench built into the extended bookcase, this inviting spot is located just outside of the Gordon Conference Room on the third floor. All faculty publications can be browsed and borrowed by the WPI community. Browse faculty publications online.

  • Group Collaboration Spaces

    students studying in the Gordon LibraryThe Gordon Library invite users to exchanges ideas and share information in one of several unique communal settings for collaborative work.

    *Please note that due to COVID-19 and social distancing, group study space is not currently available in the library, spaces are intended for individual and partner work.  

    • The Information Commons on the second floor is for groups or individuals seeking a comfortable place for study and collaboration. It is conveniently located next to the IT Service Desk and the Class of 1970 Café.
    • Private Tech Suites are available to reserve throughout the building, and offer the perfect technology-enabled place for group meetings. WPI faculty, staff, and students may request a reservation for a suite in person at the Library's Information Desk, or by contacting a staff member at 508-831-5410. Reservations may also be made through the online reservation system.
    • Group study areas are located on the ground and third floors.
    • The Flexible Learning and Instruction Place (FLIP) on the third floor is equipped with moveable tables, rolling whiteboards, and Ethernet cables for flexible study spaces.
    • Studio @ Gordon on the ground floor is an active learning and exploration space for project teams, student groups, and classes.  The space, with capacity for 30-50 people, includes whiteboards, movable and varied furniture, and light supplies for idea generation, making, and building.

  • Multimedia Lab

    students working in the Gordon Library Multimedia LabRenovated in 2017 and expanded in 2018, the Multimedia Lab is the Gordon Library's premier computing space for working with graphics-intensive software and multimedia files. The lab offers:

    • 19 multimedia workstations with memory, hardware, and software that support work creating and editing media files. See a full list of available software.
    • Color printer
  • Quiet Study Spaces

    student studying in a Gordon Library study carrelQuiet study spaces are available throughout the Library. The first floor is a dedicated quiet area. Users may retreat from the dynamic interactions occurring elsewhere in the Library to these areas designated for quiet.

    • Individual study carrels on the first and third floors.
    • An inviting reading area, located on the first floor, offers users a quiet and comfortable place to read and relax.
  • Reflection Space

    reflection spaceThe Reflection Space is a quiet space for reflection, prayer, and meditation, located on the library's first floor. The space is equipped with soft seating, meditation pillows, prayer mats, carpets, plants, 3D puzzles, and rocking chairs and overlooks a quiet green space on campus. The space was created in collaboration with the Office of Accessibility Services. Read more about the Reflection Space.

    *Please note that due to COVID-19 equipment may have been removed for the area but is still available for individual prayer and meditation.

  • Service and Information Centers

    Service and information centers are conveniently located on the second floor of the building in the Information Commons.

  • The Print Center

    students at print centerThe Print Center, located next to the Information Commons offers printing, scanning, and photocopying.

    • Copiers and printers require a WPI ID or a copy card for payment.
    • For details on equipment and fees, see ITS Pay for Print.
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