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Library Services for Students on the Autism Spectrum

Highlighting library services at the Evelyn S. Field Library that assist neurodiverse students and students who are on the autism spectrum.

Quiet Spaces in the RVCC Library - 

The most quiet day in the RVCC Library is Friday.

The first floor of the Library is for quiet study but students may be working together at the public computers or at a table and openly talking, especially as they walk in and out of the Library and between classes.  

In addition, RVCC designates time each week, Tuesday and Thursday, 1-2:20pm, as College Hours for College community activities and events.  During this time, the Library first floor can get quite busy with more students and have a slightly higher buzz of conversations.  

If the Robeson Institute, also located on the first floor, is not being used by a group, students may sit in there for a secluded and more quiet spot. 

The Paul Robeson Institute Resource Center   

 

Another quiet place to study is the Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies which is located on the second floor of the Library. 

The Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies

 

The second floor of the Library, which holds most of the print collection, is for silent study -  students may talk on the second floor within a group study room only.  See Silent Spaces below.

Silent Spaces in the RVCC Library

The RVCC Library has a second floor which is strictly for silent study.  This floor has fewer students and it does not have a heavy traffic flow.

Sign on wall indicating Silent Study

 

The second floor is accessible by stairs or elevator located across from the Check Out desk and on either side of the LCD screen.

Picture of the door to the staircase leading upstairs and the elevator.

 

If someone is talking on the second floor, please inform the Reference Librarian.  You can either go downstairs to the Reference Desk or Check Out desk, drop in on Live Chat on the Library's home page or text a Librarian at 908-838-0766.  You can say to the Reference Librarian, "Someone is talking upstairs and it is bothering me."  The Librarian will go upstairs to inform the students who are talking that they should move to an open study room or relocate downstairs to the first floor.

Private Study Carrels

There are 4 private study carrels available on the first floor, 2 tucked away by the DVDs and two at the the back of the Library.  

Study carrels on first floor of Library   Two study carrels outside the Paul Robeson Institute Resource Center

There are over 30 private study carrels available on the second floor. 

Close up of privates study carrels on the second floorPrivate study carrels on the second floor

Comfortable seating at the Library

There are a few sections of the library where a student can be more comfortable.  Some of these are out in the open and some are a bit secluded.

Chairs on the second floor in front of large window. 

These chairs are out in the open on the second floor, silent study section of the Library in front of the windows.

Two upholstered chairs in corner by audio books and DVDs

These two chairs are secluded around the corner of the main walk through area of the first floor of the Library.  

Upholstered chairs in the Library magazine lounge. Magazine lounge on the first floor of the Library.

These upholstered chairs are inside the Library's magazine lounge which is separated from the main walk through area of the first floor of the Library by floor to ceiling glass panels.