Library Spaces

The Nelson Poynter Memorial Library’s primary mission is to support the research, learning and teaching needs of the students and faculty of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg by providing access to information resources and classroom technologies; by assisting users in finding, evaluating and utilizing those resources and technologies effectively; and by using Library space creatively to enhance learning/teaching opportunities for USF St. Petersburg campus.

As an academic unit of USF St. Petersburg, the Poynter Library’s secondary mission is to support USF St. Petersburg’s partnerships with the other  USF campuses and beyond, as well as its efforts to engage with and develop stronger relationships with the community at large. Because the Library is located on Bayboro Harbor, beautiful views abound. Because the Library has been well designed and maintained over the years, it boasts many rooms and spaces that attract the interest of the USF St. Petersburg community and beyond.

While the use of the Library’s public and private spaces is weighted in favor of our primary mandate, we also strive to accommodate as many of the needs of USF St. Petersburg campus' partners and the general public as possible.  Floor maps can be found on our Maps Page, with an image of each floor with all rooms marked.

Public Spaces

The Library has numerous public spaces designed for individual and group use. These include:

• First floor lobby and atrium (contact Dean’s Office for special events)
• Student Technology Center (reserve Makerspace, Training Room for access)
• Group study rooms (Rooms reserved through Study Room Reservations)
• Library instruction classroom (Use the  Online Form for reservations)
• USF St. Petersburg Information Commons open use computing lab
• Other library public spaces (contact Dean’s Office for special events)

Requests by USF St. Petersburg or other groups to use the Library’s public spaces for promotional or business events not directly related to the Library’s primary mission will be reviewed by the Library Dean or her designated representatives. In general, one or more Library staff members must be present in the building while an event is underway and access will not be granted to public areas for times when the building is not open. Exceptions may be made for events of high importance to the institution. The criteria used to evaluate requests for use of the Library’s public spaces include:

• Is the event important to the goals of USF St. Petersburg?
• Is the Library a co-sponsor of the event?
• Is the event organizer affiliated with USF St. Petersburg?
• Is the event directed at or open to USF St. Petersburg students?
• Is the event planned for a time when classes are in session or during exam periods or is it planned for a break period or a time between semesters?
• Is the event (and setup for it) planned for a time that it would interfere with the normal functioning of the library and disrupt the work of the students and faculty using the Library?
• Will setup for the event require Library staff to reconfigure technology or otherwise assist with the setup and cleanup?
• Is the event of long or short duration?
• Are the event organizers prepared to reimburse the Library for staff expenses related to the event or damages to or loss of equipment and facilities?
• Is the event of such importance to the long-range goals of USF St. Petersburg that short-term disruption to student work and normal Library service is determined to be worth the short-term inconvenience?
• Will the event organizers provide an opportunity for the Library to promote its services as part of the event, if such promotion is appropriate?

NOTE: Use of the Library’s public spaces must recognize that the space is still library space. Organizers and attendees of approved events must respect the students, their safety, and their need for quiet study space. Noise should be kept to a reasonable level and may not include the playing of loud music, conducting amplified prize drawings, or anything that would be disruptive outside of the area approved for the event. Organizers and attendees must follow fire and other safety regulations and must keep entrances and exits into the area unobstructed and may not have any lighted or flammable materials (with the exception of approved catering equipment.) Food and drink must be approved before it is brought in and organizers are responsible for cleaning up after their events and making sure that the space is put back in order before they leave.

Non-Public Spaces

The Library has several non-public spaces that are designed to facilitate the work and promote the mission of the institution and the Library. These spaces may be booked, with the Library Dean’s approval, for use by the USF St. Petersburg community for meetings or promotional events.

Find out more: Non-Public Spaces