Borrowing Directly from Bowdoin and Colby

Current members of the Bates College faculty, staff, and student body may borrow materials directly as a walk-in patron at Bowdoin and Colby libraries.

Featured Works

A rotating collection of new titles in fiction and general non-fiction, including Bates authors and books on topics currently being discussed. This collection is located on the Main Floor and circulates to all Bates library card holders for 28 day loan period with renewals permitted.

HappyLight Compact

There are two HappyLight Compact energy lamps available to check out to Bates students, faculty, and staff members for a two hour loan period. Devices are checked out at the Circulation Desk and can be used anywhere within the building. Review the owner’s manual for use and safety instructions.

Headphones

All members of the Bates community can borrow a pair of our high quality headphones to use anywhere within the building. The headphones are checked out from the Audio Desk on the Ground Floor for a 4 hour loan period.

Kindle

We have a Kindle Touch available to check out to Bates students, faculty, and staff members for a one month loan period. There are currently over 100 titles available. You may request the purchase of additional titles available from Amazon, download titles from the Download Library (a free service provided by the Maine State Library), or upload articles in PDF from your desktop.

Laptops/Chromebooks

The library has several Chromebooks available to check out to Bates students for 1 week loan with a 1 week renewal. Students who don’t own a laptop have the option of checking out a long-term loaner (either laptop or Chromebook) from the IT Service Desk.

Lockers

Lockers can be signed out at the Circulation Desk for one or two semesters. They are mainly designated for Seniors completing theses but lockers are available to any Bates community members with a need. You just need to bring your Bates ID. All library materials placed in a thesis locker need to be checked out and please no smelly clothes or food – a small concession for happier spine and shoulders.

Quiet Study Spaces

The upper two floors of the library are reserved for quiet study. All patrons are strongly discouraged from conversation, phone use and otherwise disruptive noise on these floors.

Group study is encouraged on the Main Floor and Ground Floor. There are also several small rooms that can be reserved or used on a walk-up basis.