The virtual tour summarizes the layout and services of the Hilton C. Buley Library at Southern Connecticut State University. It describes the library's entrance on the first floor, which houses the security desk, portraits, sculptures, and the Learning Commons area with computer lab, reference and IT help desks. Other first floor areas include the checkout desk, new book displays, cafe, study rooms, and reference stacks. The tour invites the reader to continue to the second floor for more.

1. Virtual Tour of Hilton C. Buley Library
Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, Connecticut

2. Welcome to the virtual tour of Buley Library which is designed to highlight our services and collections. The library, which
first opened in 1970, is one of the busiest buildings on campus. An addition to the library was completed in 2008 and the
old building was renovated and opened its doors in March 2015. The library is situated between Engleman Hall and
the Adanti Student Center with the entrance on the campus quad side.
A Book Drop is conveniently located just outside the entrance to the library on the left for anyone wishing to drop off
materials when the library is closed.
Book
Drop

3. LIBRARY HOURS​
Monday – Thursday 8 am – 10 pm
Friday 8 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday 3 pm – 10 pm
Library hours may change from semester to semester so please check our website for the latest
information
www.libguides.southernct.edu/home

4. We begin our tour on the first floor. As you enter the outer doors, on the right is a portrait of Hilton C. Buley after
whom the library was named. Buley was the president of SCSU from 1954-1971.
To the left is an adorable bronze sculpture of a boy and girl sitting and reading on a bench titled Best Friends
Together, Forever. This is from the Randoph Rose Collection, a family owned and operated company that specializes in
handmade bronze sculptures, statues, fountains and accessories for homes, gardens, and public spaces. The
sculpture was a generous gift by the class of 1956.
Sculpture from the Randolph Rose Collection Portrait of President Hilton C. Buley

5. The Security Desk is situated to the left as you enter the inner doors of the library.

6. Just past the inner doors, on the right are elevators and stairs leading to all 5 floors of the library building.

7. The inner doors open into the Learning Commons on the main floor of the library. The Learning Commons is the heart and soul
of Buley library spanning 18,000 square feet. The space is flexible and adaptable: the chairs have handles and students can
rearrange or move them to form impromptu study groups. The tables are fixed and wired for wi-fi access. Shutters along the
wall can secure the rest of the library after normal business hours leaving just the Learning Commons open around the clock
should we decide to stay open 24/7. The computer lab is on the left; IT and Reference Desks can be seen from here. Straight
ComputerLab
IT Help Desk Reference Desk
Check-outDesk
Café,Restrooms,waterfountain

8. A couple of computers are available in the Learning Commons for quick access to the library’s catalog and
databases limiting what users can do on these machines. It is not possible to print from these kiosks.

9. To the right is the Check-out desk which is currently open all hours the library is open. This is where library materials
and course reserves are checked out and returned. Enquiries about library privileges, loans, and fines may be made
here. Posters and lamination requests for the Learning Resource Center which is located within may be dropped off or
picked up at this desk. A digital sign is located right behind the check-out counter.
Check-out Desk
Digital
Sign

10. Self-check-out stations are located in the counter opposite the Circulation Desk.
A Hoot Loot Machine where you can add money to your Hoot Loot Card and check your balance is also located opposite
the Check-out Desk. The machine accepts $1, $5, $10 and $20 dollar bills. It does not take coins. Next to the card
machine is a printer.
Self-checkout
kiosks
Hoot
Loot
Machine
Printer

11. A small collection of leisure reading books is near the self-checkout kiosks. The door on that wall leads to the Academic
Advising Offices. To the left of the door is the Check-out Desk.
Leisure Reading
Library Director’s
Office
Access
Services
Academic
Advising Leisure
Reading
Self Check-
out kiosks

12. New Books are displayed on the bookshelf in the hallway leading to the Owl Perch. The door leading to Access
Services is also in the hallway, next to the bookshelf and near the Check-out Desk.
New Books
Check out Desk

13. As you walk past the Check-out counter you will see our New Books display shelves just before the double
doors leading to the stairwell. The Restrooms and water fountains are just past the double doors. Restrooms
and water fountains are available on every floor of the renovated section as well as on the stack side.
The Owl Perch Café is past the restrooms. The café is a long-awaited comfort and convenience for
students looking for coffee and a quick bite to eat.
If you continue down the corridor you will come to the Reference and media stacks.
Restrooms and
water fountains
Doors to stairwell
New
Books
Owl Perch
Cafe

14. The Learning Commons leads to the Reference area. The Reference Desk is staffed by a friendly, professional librarian
most hours the library is open. Reference Librarians can help users find information for their papers or projects,
suggest search terms and strategies, provide citation help, and much more. Research assistance is available on a drop-
in basis at the desk and also via text messaging (SMS), email, and by phone. Subject librarians are available by
appointment for in-depth subject-specific assistance.
Reference Desk hours
Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 9 pm; Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; Saturday 12 pm – 5 pm

15. A computer lab featuring MACs and PCs is available for those students who do not have their own machines.
The IT Help Desk is located just outside the lab and adjacent to the Reference Desk. Students can get technological help
at their time and point of need.

16. A view of the IT Help Desk and the lovely Tiffany windows in the computer area near the Reference Desk from the front
lobby. A printer is located near the IT Desk.
Printer

17. A counter with charging stations where users can plug in USB drives, laptops, and tablets is situated along the main
staircase in the Reference area.

18. Scanners are available, one each on the counters attached to the wooden pillars on either side of the computer hub.
Users can scan to print, email, or download to a flash drive. Scanning is free but printing costs apply. Stapler, a three-
hole punch, and pencil sharpener are available near the scanner.
Scanner
r
Scanner

19. Six spacious study rooms are along the periphery of the Reference area. Rooms 104 D, E, F, G, H, and J all seat six people. F,
G, H & J are near the computers in the reference area. Study rooms can be reserved online from the library home page.
104 F 104 G 104 H
104 J

20. Study Rooms 104 D and E are right behind the IT Help Desk overlooking the quad.
104 D 104 E

21. The Library's Optelec machine provides magnification, color and contrast support, and other benefits for those
who are visually challenged. It is located next to the pillar just outside study Room 104G.

22. Here’s a view from the front lobby of the connector that links the renovated section of the library that was completed
in March 2015, and the addition that was completed in 2008. The connector leads to the reference stack area. On
the right you will be able to see the Art Gallery on the Ground Floor through the glass panels that are past the cafe. On
the left is the staircase leading to the Ground Floor.
Connector

23. The staircase leading to the ground floor is situated in the connector that links the front part of the library and the
Reference and Media stacks.
Stairs to ground floor

24. Additional elevators are located just pass the connector on the right in the Reference stack area.
The reference books are to the left; media is to the right. The passage leads to the Instruction Classroom (Room 118) and
Reference Librarians’ offices.
Media Shelves
Stack area
Elevators (back)
Referencestacks

25. A view of the Reference stack area from the connector. Restrooms and water fountains are to the left. The Reference
collection begins with the A section on the far left and continues towards the Media section. Media is to the right. The
passage way leads to the Instruction Classroom (118) and Reference Librarians’ office. Additional computers and a
printer are also located here.
Reference books
Printer
Elevators
Media, Instruction Classroom 118,
Reference Librarians’ offices

26. A close-up of the passage way leading to the library instruction classroom (Room 118) and the
Librarians’ offices (Room 120). This concludes our tour of the first floor. Please click on the second floor tab above to
continue with the tour.
Room
118
Door leading to
Librarians’ offices
(Room 120)