Five bikes are now available to students, faculty, and staff to borrow for the day at H-L Library.
Student Resources
Orientation Roundup: Academic Fair and Campus Hacks
Did you miss us at the Academic Fair or at Campus Hacks? No problem!
We asked you to answer a poll: “What do you think you will need most from the library?” Here’s our answers to your top needs.
Library Resources
Study space
The Music, Art, and Science libraries across campus are open to all students, in addition to the H-L main Library. See all library hours
Quiet spaces
The Pierce Reading Room on the second floor of H-L is quiet study space all day. After 7 PM, the third floor of H-L is also designated as quiet space. Typically, Hubbard stacks (accessed through Media Commons in the basement) and the H-L basement are also good hide-away study spots, though there is no expectation of quiet on those floors.
Group spaces
Book group rooms at H-L or Hatch libraries.
Research
Our librarians are ready to help you with any question, big or small. Make an appointment with a research librarian, or drop-in to The Research Lab on the first floor of H-L Library from 11-4 Mon-Fri.
Books
Browse the entire Bowdoin catalog
Too many results? Try using search filters in the advanced search. Check the sidebar for additional filters, like location and format.
Need something we don’t have? Want to read something for fun? Request a title from anywhere!
- CBB
- Searchable through Bowdoin’s catalog, access the Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin College resource sharing network in Maine. Fastest to arrive (usually under a week).
- MaineCat
- 3-week loans from any library in Maine. Can take up to 10 days to arrive.
- InterLibrary Loan & Digital Delivery
- Through InterLibrary Loan, request any title from anywhere in the world, from new popular fiction to obscure research material. Regionally-available materials arrive more quickly, but it can take two weeks or longer to arrive from abroad.
- With Digital Delivery, request a digitized chapter or section of Bowdoin-owned material, and get it delivered to your ILL account.
More Campus Resources
Make things easier for yourself during your time at Bowdoin. Your future self will thank you! Check out these additional learning resources:
Bowdoin Center for Learning & Teaching (BCLT)
Tutoring, coaching, and writing help. Make appointments through Penji.
Academic Technology (ATC)
Get technology help, or learn about 3D printing, data mining, UAVs, GIS, and more.
THRIVE
Resources for first-generation and limited-income students, including a dedicated study space, peer mentoring, and community. Don’t just survive, THRIVE!
No matter what, we’re here to support you.
Bowdoin Library Staff
Welcome, New and Returning Students! Your Academic Home Awaits.
Hello and a very warm welcome to the Class of 2029 and all of our returning students!
On behalf of the entire Bowdoin Library staff, we are so excited to have you back on campus. The library is more than just a place with books; it is your academic home, a space for collaboration, and a quiet retreat for focused study. We’ve been getting everything ready for you all summer and can’t wait to see the energy you bring to our halls.
Our friendly and dedicated staff are here to help you with anything you need. Whether you’re looking for a specific book, need help with a research paper, or just have a quick question, please don’t hesitate to ask. As you settle in, remember that the only question you can’t get an answer to is the one you don’t ask!
As you begin your classes, I want to draw your attention to a couple of key resources.
Course Reserve Services
We know textbooks can be expensive, and our Course Reserve Services are designed to help. Your professors have selected essential materials for your courses, which are available to borrow for shorter periods to ensure everyone has a chance to use them. Find more information here, or search the Course Reserve catalog directly.
Library Services for Students
Beyond course reserves, we offer a wide range of services to support your success, from research assistance to technology support and more. We encourage you to explore all the ways we can help you thrive this semester by visiting our student services page.
We wish you all a successful and rewarding academic year. The library is here to help you learn, grow, and achieve your goals. Come say hello—we’re here for you.
Peter Bae, Director of the College Library