Library Services and Support at the Power Plant
As Saint Mary’s Library undergoes exciting upgrades, the Power Plant is now the central hub for all library services.
All library services are available in this interim space, ensuring continuity of support for students, faculty, and staff. Contact the Service Desk with any questions at 925-631-4229 or chat with a librarian.
Power Plant, Saint Mary's College Interim Library Location
Location & Hours
The Power Point is located near Brousseau Hall (view location on Google Maps). Look for the smokestack!
Hours
See the library's hours page to see when the Power Plant is open.
Power Plant Spaces
Drop-In Space
Limited drop-in study space is available in the Power Plant. A few lounge seats are available in the lobby area, and the Silent Study Zone room features several individual cubicle spaces.
Reservable Study Rooms and Sensory Room
The Library has four reservable study rooms and a sensory room in the Power Plant. Students can reserve these rooms online for 3-hour blocks. Reservations may be made up to a week in advance using the online room reservation system. (Study room policies)
Alternative Study and Work Spaces
The Power Plant is limited in size; however, other departments on campus are excited to welcome more students to their spaces. Below is a list of open spaces around campus.
- Brousseau Hall Study Rooms
- Cafe Louis
- Career Center Annex, Ferroggiaro Hall
- Center for Women and Gender Studies, Augustine Hall
- Center for Writing Across the Curriculum, De La Salle 110
- Commuter Lounge, De La Salle 113
- Dante Hall, select classrooms in the evening till midnight
- Dryden Hall
- Intercultural Center, next to Cafe Louis
- Media Production Lab and Lounge, Sichel 104
- Math Pedagogy Center, Galileo 116
- Museum of Art, Study Salon
- Outdoor space also available in the Quad and Rec Center, pool deck
- Residential Halls lounges for students who reside on campus
- STEM Center, Assumption Hall
See the Alternative Study and Work Spaces FAQ page for more spaces and more information about each.
Accessing Materials and Support
Students, if your instructor has placed material on course reserve, please see the Service Desk in the Power Plant. Most reserve materials can be borrowed for up to 2 hours.
We also have copies of all the Seminar readings.
Faculty, submit readings or videos for reserve at the Course Reserves page. Please refer to our copyright guidelines.
Contact Access Services with any questions at libraryservicedesk@stmarys-ca.edu or 925-631-4229
Come to the Power Plant to borrow:
- MacBooks and Chromebooks
- chargers
- cameras and other equipment for courses in Art and Media Production
- and more
Contact Access Services with any questions at libraryservicedesk@stmarys-ca.edu or 925-631-4229
While construction continues on Saint Albert Hall, most of our books and other items are inaccessible in offsite storage. If you need a book, ask us! We can retrieve it for you if it’s available or show you how to have it delivered here quickly from another library through interlibrary loan.
Contact Access Services with any questions at libraryservicedesk@stmarys-ca.edu or 925-631-4229
For returns, you can simply leave books or DVDs you have checked out in the book drop outside of the Power Plant or inside at the Service Desk.
All equipment (laptops, cameras, chargers, etc) must be returned in person to the Service Desk.
Get research help from librarians online, in the Power Plant, or by appointment during research assistance hours.
Faculty, contact your subject librarian to schedule a classroom visit for a research session related to any assignments.
Where to print
Printing is available to all students via GaelPrint. You must be connected to SMC Wi-Fi network (not SMC-Guest).
The Power Plant has a color printer. You can print from our computers or GaelPrint.
Black-and-white printing is located at
- Ageno A (student residence hall)
- Brousseau Hall Science Lounge (2nd floor)
- Career Services Annex (Ferroggiaro Hall)
- De La Salle Hall (1st Floor)
- Dryden Hall
- Galileo 116 - Math Pedagogy Center
- Garaventa 2nd Floor
- STEM Center (Assumption Hall)
The Power Plant provides staplers, paper cutters, scissors, tape, and more basic office supplies.
Need help printing? Ask IT Services in Galileo 111 or by calling (925) 631-4266.
Where to scan
A scanner is available in the Power Plant.
Due to the limited space in the interim library and our print collection temporarily stored off-campus, the campus library in the Power Plant is only open to current SMC students, staff, and faculty.
When the main campus library reopens in the Fall of 2027, we will be excited to welcome all alumni, visitors, and guests again.
If you currently have a community borrower card, we are extending your privileges by a year after our re-open date for no additional charge.
Alumni may request access to a selection of academic databases. The selection of databases available to alumni is determined by publishers’ licensing terms. See this FAQ page for a list of the databases and more details.
Please contact the Service Desk if you have further questions at (925) 631-4229.