The Ames Library
Room Reservations

The Ames Library faculty and staff welcome the use of our spaces by the Illinois Wesleyan University community, whether it is for instructional or non-instructional activities, such as meetings, movies or informal gatherings.

Groups are welcome to schedule multiple events and meet routinely at the library. We encourage professors to use the many unique and comfortable spaces creatively and as often as they would like. However, we would ask professors not to use the library as the primary classroom for their course.

The Ames Plaza

Bates & Merwin Reading Room

Beckman Auditorium

Faculty Research Room

Group Study Rooms

Information Commons

Instruction Lab

Project Rooms

Roof Garden

Scholarly Workstations

Tate University Archives and Special Collections

Thorpe Digital Center


The Ames Plaza

  • Located between the McPherson Theatre and The Ames Library.
  • Available for events such as music performances, student displays, and other activities.
  • Electrical outlets are available.

To inquire about use of the Ames Plaza, please contact the Library Training Program & Outreach Coordinator, (309) 556-1335.

Back to TOP


Bates & Merwin Reading Room

  • This circular space is located on the fourth floor.
  • Pocket doors can be closed to provide an intimate space for special occasions.
  • The Minor Myers jr. Honors Collection is housed in this room.
  • The Bates & Merwin Reading Room is surrounded by 16 stained glass panels from Pembroke College.

To inquire about use of the Bates & Merwin Reading Room, please contact the Library Training Program & Outreach Coordinator, (309) 556-1335.

Back to TOP


Beckman Auditorium

  • The auditorium is located on the lower level.
  • Seats 70 people.
  • Fully equipped with network access, presentation software, and all types of audio-visual equipment.

To schedule use of the Beckman Auditorium, for non-instructional events please contact the Library Training Program & Outreach Coordinator, (309) 556-1335.

To schedule use of the Beckman Auditorium, for instructional activities please contact the Media Technician, (309) 556-3323.

Back to TOP


Faculty Research Room

  • The Faculty Research Room is a private getaway for faculty.
  • Data ports are provided in the carrels and shelves are available for research materials.
  • Located within the Tate Archives & Special Collections area on the fourth floor.
  • On weekends and after 5:00 pm during the week, faculty should stop by the Circulation Desk for access to this room.

Back to TOP


Group Study Rooms

  • 16 rooms of varying size are distributed throughout the building.
  • Each room seats 4 - 10 people.
  • Each room is equipped with white boards and network access for laptop computers.
  • Group Study Rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis only.

Back to TOP


Information Commons

  • The Information Commons is located on the entry level.
  • The reference collection is located in this area.
  • Houses 24 workstations, with 2 chairs each to facilitate students working together.
  • A library faculty member is available in this area to provide research assistance as needed.
  • A scanner, color printers, copier, and fax machine are available for student use.

Back to TOP


Instruction Lab

  • The Instruction Lab is available for library classroom instruction.
  • Located adjacent to the Information Commons on the entry level.
  • This Lab is equipped with 26 individual workstations with application & research software.
  • It is available for general use when the lab is not being used for instruction purposes.
  • The Instructor's workstation has projection capability with media equipment to fully integrate educational technology.

To schedule use of the Instruction Lab, please contact the Library Training Program & Outreach Coordinator, (309) 556-1335 or your Library Liaison.

Back to TOP


Project Rooms

  • Designed for group work.
  • These 3 rooms each seat 6-8 people.
  • Located next to the Information Commons on the entry level.
  • Each room is equipped with video/DVD player, networked computer, and projection capabilities.
  • The computer has access to the library's electronic resources and application software.

To schedule a Project Room please contact the Information Services Desk, 556-3350, or your library liaison.

Back to TOP


Roof Garden

  • The Roof Garden is an elevated outdoor area.
  • It overlooks the park-like setting on the south side of the library.
  • This space can be reserved for special university events.

To inquire about use of the Roof Garden, please contact the Library Training Program & Outreach Coordinator, (309) 556-1335.

Back to TOP


Scholarly Workstations

  • They are personal computers with unique functions that relate to the physical collection surrounding them.
  • There are seven workstation clusters throughout the library.
  • Each is equipped with six computers, a printer and help-phone conneced to the Information Services Desk.
  • Each computer runs application software for writing, creating presentations, or working on spreadsheets.
  • These computers have subject specific software and resources pertaining to the disciplines in the area, integrating spatially the print with the electronic collection.
  • The Scholarly Workstations are located in the following areas:
    • Lower level - east side
    • 2nd level - east and west side
    • 3rd level - east and west side
    • 4th level - east and west side

Back to TOP


Tate University Archives and Special Collections

  • The Tate University Archives and Special Collections is on the fourth floor.
  • The university archives is the repository for materials on the history of Illinois Wesleyan, its present and former students, faculty and staff, and for the papers of former U.S. Congressman Leslie C. Arends.
  • Special collections include the Gernon collection of first editions of fiction, the Gernon collection of first editions of detective fiction and mysteries, and the Shultz collection of editions of The Beggar's Opera.
  • These collections provide students with many opportunities to do original research.

Back to TOP


Thorpe Digital Center

  • The Thorpe Digital Center is located on the 3rd floor.
  • Individuals can listen to compact discs, audio cassette tapes, phonograph recordings, and view videocassettes.
  • There are also three fully equipped group Listening Rooms.

To schedule use of the Listening Rooms, please contact Stephanie Davis-Kahl or Mike Limacher.

Back to TOP


This service is maintained by The Ames Library. Please contact us with any problems or suggestions.

Last revised: August 31, 2006