Public Services & Spaces
When is Smathers Library open?
Please visit the UF Libraries’ hours webpage for our building hours.
To prepare for your visit, please see the Plan Your Visit page of Special & Area Studies Collections (SASC).
Where can I study in Smathers Library?
Smathers Library offers several spaces for studying:
- First floor: The Map & Imagery Library and The Al Nahmad Gallery
- Second floor: The Grand Reading Room. Please note that although the Grand Reading Room (GRR) is open for study, it is a strictly quiet space. Before visiting the GRR, please read the GRR policies.
- Third Floor: The Latin American & Caribbean Collection
Please refer to our Tour by Floor page for information about study spaces, service points, and collection spaces throughout the building.
Where can I find parking?
Information for where to park in or around campus can be found on the Plan Your Visit page of SASC’s website.
Where can I find contact information?
For contact information for SASC collection managers, please visit our directory.
For subject specialists across the UF Libraries, see the Subject/Area Specialists webpage.
What exhibits are currently on display in Smathers Library?
For information on current exhibits, please visit the Libraries’ Current Exhibits webpage.
Past exhibits and digital exhibits can also be found on the Exhibits at the Libraries website.
What accessibility resources and assistance does Smathers Library offer?
For information related to accessibility of our spaces, technology, and services, please visit our SASC Accessibility webpage.
Collection Access
How do I make an appointment to view special collections materials in the Grand Reading Room?
If you are able to visit Smathers Library in-person, you can e-mail special@uflib.ufl.edu to inquire about making an appointment to view the materials in the Grand Reading Room. For general information, visit the Plan Your Visit page.
Please email at least 5 business days in advance of a visit, since some materials are offsite and other materials require review by the University Archivist.
If an in-person visit isn’t feasible, you may submit a Duplication and Use Request Form. For more information, visit the Digital Reproductions page.
How can I view a thesis or dissertation published by a student in one of the masters or doctorate programs at UF?
Information for thesis and dissertations can be found on the Search UF Theses and Dissertations webpage.
Please note, physical copies of thesis and dissertations are housed offsite and need to be requested for use in the Grand Reading Room.
If you are seeking a digital copy of a thesis or dissertation that hasn’t yet been digitized, please email Archives@uflib.ufl.edu.
Where can I access collections?
To learn more about accessing the circulating collections housed in Smathers Library, visit our Tour by Floor page.
For information about all our collections, visit the Explore Our Collections page.
Additionally, some of our materials are digitized and available online. For digital materials, visit the University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC).
Research & Teaching
How can I use Special Collections for teaching?
SASC collections provide valuable resources for topic exploration, small group projects, and capstone projects. For additional details, please see the Class Visits page
How do I request a class visit?
To arrange a class visit to the library, please complete the Request a Class Visit form.