Grinnell College Libraries News
Student walking into Burling Library

Author: Sharon Clayton Page 1 of 4

Master Your Coursework and Projects with Library Resources

By

On September 14, 2026

In Resources

Book shelf with question markThe Grinnell College Libraries are here to help you utilize your resources for your research! Whether you are in the brainstorming stage, the investigative stage, or if you are on your way to producing a finished paper, we are happy to help. Below are several tips for how to engage with our resources effectively.

First stop: Visit the library’s homepage. There you can use the search box to search the catalog for books, journal articles, newspaper articles, CDs, DVDs, and anything else in the Grinnell College Libraries collections. Or check out the list of databases to find other ways to search. Use the Doing Research page for research strategies and tips.

Borrow books and more: Borrow materials on Interlibrary Loan (ILL) or use TRAC (Two Rivers Alma Collaborative) by using Primo, searching for an item, checking for availability through our library catalog, and requesting delivery to Burling Library. Books usually arrive in 2 to 3 days.

Beyond Google Scholar: Conduct research in Special Collections and Archives and explore our Digital Grinnell repository. Improve your search experience for scholarly journal articles and links to ebooks with LibKey Nomad.

We are here for YOU: Our mission is to help you with whatever it is you are working on! Go to our Subject and Course Guides and you can find the consulting librarians associated with a given subject. Or, for more in-depth research help, request a Library Lab which is an online or in-person one-on-one or small group research consultation with a librarian.

In short: Take advantage of the wide array of resources available to you at the Libraries and don’t hesitate to contact us or feel free to reach out to a librarian directly.

Maker Space Tools in Burling Digital Studio

By

On September 8, 2026

In Spaces

Sewing machineVisit Burling Library’s Digital Studio in Burling lower level and please use our maker space tools!

A sewing and embroidery machine with a variety of threads makes textile projects easier, along with additional tools and materials for knitting, crochet, and bead work.

Cameras, camcorders, microphones, and accessories are stored in the lockers near Special Collections and Archives, and are available for checkout. See Library Equipment > Recording Equipment for a full list.

3D printer

3D printer

A new and larger 3D printer with multi-color capabilities is operational, with attachments that supports vinyl cutting and laser engraving.

Materials for these new functions are limited and/or expensive, so reach out to Max Schafer to see if we are a good fit for your project, academic or otherwise! Standard 3D printing is also free for reasonable use for students, staff, and faculty anytime Burling is open.

 

When Books are Burned: A History of Burned, Banned, and Censored Books in Special Collections

By

On September 4, 2026

In Exhibitions

Featuring rare books from the holdings of Special Collections, our exhibition in Burling Gallery (lower level) When Books Are Burned chronicles the history of book burning and censorship from the 14th century to present. The destruction and censorship of books is not a new phenomenon and can be dated back to the 3rd century BCE in China. One of the most infamous attacks on intellectual freedom is the pro-Nazi book burnings that occurred in Germany in 1933. However, the desecration and censorship of books occur at many scales: from school boards challenging books to regime sponsored, systematic destruction of libraries. When Books Are Burned illuminates this extensive history, providing important context for contemporary attacks on intellectual freedom.

Curated by Special Collections student workers Gabriel Martinez ‘28 and Han Orr ‘28.

Contact Us

Please use the contact form to reach the staff of the Grinnell College Libraries Special Collections and Archives.

Need a Place to Study?

By

On September 1, 2026

In Spaces

Burling Library Commons

Burling Commons (First Floor East)

Burling and Kistle libraries have several places to study quietly, including individual study carrels and tables in both libraries. Burling also features armchairs, bike desks, bean bag chairs, laptop bars, sofas, and even jungle gyms. If you need to work with classmates or peer mentors, group study rooms are available in both Burling and Kistle.

Burling Digital Studio

Burling Digital Studio (lower level)

The Burling Digital Studio (lower level) features 7 MAC workstations with video editing capabilities, a scanner station attached to a photo scanner, as well as cameras, recorders, and additional technology for checkout at the circulation desk. Check out library technology. Use is first-come, first-served.

Four private group study rooms (second level, east side) are available for group study. Each glass enclosure accommodates four or five people around a table, has floor-to-ceiling whiteboards, and three of the four
rooms have flat-screen monitors equipped with Airtame screen-sharing software. Use is currently first-come, first-served.

Burling Lounge

Burling Lounge (first floor)

Burling Lounge (first level, west side inside north entrance) is a study space and event space. It is available for individual or group study when events are not scheduled. Use is first-come, first-served.

The Burling Commons (first floor east side) The Libraries have reconfigured the first floor Computer Commons with new booths, soft seating options and upgraded technology. Study use is first-come, first-served or if computers are not being used for a class.

The Burling Second Floor Classroom/study space includes 12 mobile tables seating 2 people each and several mobile whiteboards. Study use is first-come, first-served for evenings and weekends or if the classroom is not in use.

Kistle Science Library has four group study rooms, to be used on a first-come, first-served basis. One has a projector that can be connected to the existing computer or a personal laptop, for use in practicing PowerPoint or other presentations.

Want to secure your laptop, listen to music, and have a fast hard-wired internet connection while you’re studying? Headphones can be checked out from the circulation desk.

Paging Books for Students

By

On August 28, 2026

In Services

Image by AlLes on Pixabay

Hey students! We are excited to offer you a new service! Did you know you can order/request Grinnell College Library books for pick up at the Burling Circulation Desk?

Log into your My Library account, look up the item you want in Primo, and hit the “Request” button.  Bring your P-card to the circulation desk and pick up your item!

Questions?

Please contact us for help.

Aug 27 Start the Semester Connected in the Libraries!

By

On August 24, 2026

In Activities

Laptop and phoneNeed help connecting to the printer? General questions about software or library services? Need help with Wifi?

Visit Burling Library first floor across from the circulation desk on Thursday, Aug. 27 from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Questions? Contact Kayla Reed, discovery, systems, and digital strategy librarian.

Communal Art Sticker Poster in Burling

By

On August 21, 2026

In Activities

Character with pencil in front of an easel

Photo by manfredsteger (Pixabay)

We need your help! Please stop by Burling Lounge (1st floor) and add to our poster with the stickers on the table inside the door. Please note the color code. 

We would like to do something special with this piece once it is done. 

If you have any questions, please ask at the circulation desk.

Welcome to the Grinnell College Libraries

By

On August 10, 2026

In Resources

Colorful welcome sign

Photography by Belinda Fewings (https://unsplash.com/@bel2000a)

Looking for a quick list of essential services and resources for using the library? This summary will get you started and help make the most of your library experience.

Hours

Find hours for the libraries.

Get in Touch

Book a library lab with a librarian for your research assignments.

Send us a question any time!

Find your consulting librarian who can tailor help to your particular focus.

Borrow Books and More

Log in to your account to reserve materials and view the status of anything you’ve checked out.

Borrow materials on Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

Search the catalog, for books, journal articles, databases, newspapers, CDs and DVDs, and anything else in the Grinnell College Libraries collections.

Conduct research in Special Collections & Archives and explore our Digital Grinnell repository.

LibKey Nomad is a browser extension to get fast access to scholarly academic articles and Ebooks.

  • “Download PDF” will take you directly to a PDF of the article.
  • “Article Link” will take you to a webpage of the article.
  • In addition, Nomad will let you know when an article has been retracted and if you click, it will list the reasons why.

See our library guide for instructions on downloading and using other services to improve your search experience for scholarly journal articles.

Browse our subject and course guides.

Study Spaces

Find your zone in Burling Library.

Find a collaborative or quiet study space in Burling or Kistle Library.

Technology

Find printers and copiers in library locations across campus.

Visit the Digital Studio in Burling lower level, our one-stop shop for everything you might need to complete your digital media project, including equipment, software, specialized printers, and expert help. Check out Library technology.

Media viewing stations in Burling Library.

Headsets are available for checkout from the Circulation Desk. Headsets are required for use at the 1st or 2nd station.These stations are also equipped with Bluetooth capabilities if you have your own Bluetooth headset you would like to use.

Checkout a portable DVD player at the Circulation Desk for viewing anywhere in the library. Library use only, 4-hour checkout.

Teaching

Services for teaching

Set aside books, films, or sound recordings for class use with course reserves.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Want to further explore the Grinnell College Libraries? Visit our home page.

Libraries Call for Speakers

By

On August 7, 2026

In Activities

Panelists and audience at Burling Lounge event

Interested in presenting about your research in progress or completed works of scholarship? The Grinnell College Libraries has openings for both the fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters.

Faculty and staff can complete an interest form to nominate themselves or a colleague for a talk or panel discussion. View upcoming research lecture dates and topics.

  • Book Talks highlight campus authors and their recently published books.
  • Research Unbound highlights scholarship in non-book formats (e.g. journal articles, digital projects, data sets, artwork or exhibitions, etc.).
  • Research in Progress is a chance to talk about current research and works in progress.

Each of these series may include collaborative research with students, faculty, or staff.  Series events will be hosted throughout the semester in Burling Lounge, first floor, on Tuesdays at 4:15 p.m.

If you prefer another time slot or format, or have an idea for hosting a library talk diverging from these series, please get in touch!

Questions may be directed to Sharon Clayton and Micki Behounek.

New Library Search Experience

By

On August 3, 2026

In Resources

We have upgraded! The library search has upgraded to a new experience. It is the same system and should search the same, but you will notice some coloring changes and a new system for reporting a broken link. Please explore and if you have any questions or issues please reach out to query@grinnell.edu.

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