The Neilson Library is now open for item pickup and physically distanced study.
All other library locations are currently closed. See Library Services During COVID-19.
View real-time Neilson Library occupancy levels.

Welcome to the new Neilson! As the intellectual heart of the campus, the library celebrates learning and discovery. Renowned architectural designer Maya Lin’s vision has reimagined the building as a place of beauty, harmony, connection and community. Illuminating down through five stories, the atrium’s oculus is a beacon of light, while glass windows throughout bring the natural landscape outside in. Take a virtual tour and enjoy innovative spaces and awe-inspiring views. See for yourself why Maya Lin describes Neilson as “calmly natural,” and why President McCartney says the library “invites us to explore the world in all its wonder.”

Building Access

Download a floor-by-floor guide to the Neilson Library.

Building access is limited to students, faculty and staff who are in the campus COVID-19 screening program. Lanyards must be worn and displayed at all times, and entry will be controlled by card access via the Seelye lawn entrance. Building capacity will be limited to approximately 300 people including staff and student employees. Please check the building capacity before visiting.

Students, faculty, emeriti, and staff not in the COVID-19 screening program will be able to continue to request items from the Smith Libraries, Five Colleges and Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Requested items will be mailed to their address. Please see “Requesting Items” and “Returning Items” on our COVID-19 webpage for full details. 

Neilson Library is not open to the public. Currently, only students, staff and faculty in the college's COVID-19 testing program may access building during Green Mode. While the building is not yet open to the public, we look forward to welcoming visitors in the future. The College will make a determination about when to re-open campus buildings to the public, and that decision will be communicated widely. We encourage those interested to follow us on social media for updates. For more information about how Smith is working to keep the campus and surrounding communities safe, please see the Culture of Care website.

Current Services and Collections

Services

During Green Mode, students and employees in the COVID-19 screening program may:

• Access study areas for physically distanced study
• Browse books and journals in open shelving areas
• Pick up requested items
• Use self checkout stations
• Return library items
• Use print/copy/scan stations

All online services will continue to be available. Please see Library Services During COVID-19.

Collection Locations

Neilson Spaces & Technology