Power Plant Library Services and Support
As Saint Mary’s Library undergoes exciting upgrades, the Power Plant will act as 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.
Power Plant, Saint Mary's College Interim Library Location
Location & Hours
Located near Brosseau Hall (look for the smokestack), the Power Plant will also serve as the service point for pickup and checkout.
Hours
In January, the Power Plant’s service point for material pick-up and equipment check-out will be open limited hours. Study rooms and drop-in spaces will open in February.
Starting in February 2026, the Power Plant Library will resume regular academic term hours. See the hours page for details.
Power Plant Spaces
Drop-In Space
Starting February 2, limited drop-in study space will be available in the Power Plant. A few lounge seats are available in the lobby area, and one room featuring several individual cubicle spaces is available.
Reservable Study Rooms and Sensory Room
Starting February 2, the Power Plant will have four reservable study rooms, one of which will be a sensory room. Students can reserve these rooms online for 2-hour blocks. Reservations may be made up to a week in advance using the online room reservation system. The same policies for rooms remain in place.
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
- Center for Women and Gender Studies, Augustine Hall
- Center for Writing Across the Curriculum, De La Salle Hall
- Commuter Lounge, De La Salle
- 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
Some technology and equipment will be available at the Power Plant to borrow for limited loan.
This includes
- 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 will be inaccessible in offsite storage. If you need a book, ask us! We can grab it for you if it’s available or show you how to have it delivered here from another library through interlibrary loan.
Contact Access Services with any questions at libraryservicedesk@stmarys-ca.edu or 925-631-4229
In January, you can get research help from the reference librarians online or by appointment during reference 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). Black-and-white printing are located at
- Ageno A (student residence hall)
- Brousseau Hall Science Lounge
- De La Salle 1st Floor
- Dryden Hall
- Galileo 116 - Math Lab
- Garaventa 2nd Floor
- STEM Center (Assumption Hall)
A small printing and supplies center will be available in the Power Plant Library starting in February. This space will include a color printer connected to GaelPrint, as well as 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
Scanners will be available in the Power Plant Library starting in February.