Library Opens February 2. What to Know Before You Go!

Updated February 1 at 7:00 a.m.

We are excited to re-open our doors for Spring 2021! Any member of the Bentley community who is enrolled in the University’s COVID-19 testing program is welcome to visit the library starting Monday, February 1, 2021 Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Please be prepared to show your Bentley ID and display a current COVID testing program wristband to enter.

You can view the complete library hours calendar, including our online Reference Help hours, for the entire trimester online. Hours are subject to change due to holidays, inclement weather, or unforeseen circumstances. 

Additional guidelines and information are provided below. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.


Bentley Library Building Opening

  • The Library is operating in accordance with state and university COVID-19 public health guidelines. All library users and staff are required to wear face coverings, maintain 6 feet physical distance, and practice hand hygiene. Please perform your daily health self-check and stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.  
  • Like all buildings on campus, you will need both your current Bentley ID and the appropriate wristband from the COVID testing program to enter the library through the main entrance.    
  • Building occupancy will be limited and monitored. When you enter the library, you will be given an occupancy card representing a seat or spot in the library. The cards are color coded by floor. You will need to return the card when you leave. As long as there are cards available, there will be a seat in the building. Due to the occupancy limits, we ask that you please be courteous to others and mindful of your time in the library.  
  • Do not leave any personal belongings in the building, as you may not be able to re-enter to get them if we are at capacity. 
  • Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer are available throughout the library. Please wipe down any shared surfaces before and after you use them. 
  • Food is prohibited in the library until further notice. 

Study Rooms and Spaces 

  • The library’s study rooms are subject to reduced capacity and physical distancing guidelines. Many study rooms are limited to single occupancy; some of the larger rooms accommodate two people. Please check the occupancy sign posted on each room. Study rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are not available, but you can check current room availability online before visiting.  
  • Face coverings are required in all library spaces at all times, including in study rooms, study carrels and pods, and at study tables. 
  • Furniture is arranged to ensure proper physical distancing. Please do not move furniture. 

Borrowing Library Materials and Using Course Reserves 

  • To minimize face-to-face interactions, we request that you use the library’s self-check machine to check out your items.  
  • Please return your library items in the book return drop, located at the main entrance.  
  • Search the Course Reserves site to see if your professor has set aside a copy of the textbook or other required materials for your class. You can also check the “Course Documents” section of your Blackboard site for any readings your professor may have put on electronic reserve.  

Online Research Help 

  • Reference librarians are available online to help you with your papers and assignments. Use live chat, email refdesk@bentley.edu. or text 781.728.0511 to get research, database, and citation help. You can also book an appointment for a research consultation via Zoom. The virtual Reference Desk hours and contact information are posted on the Research Help page.  
  • Visit our Getting Started Online guide for more details about remote resources.

Computers & Printers 

The library provides computers and printers (color and B&W) for you to use if you need one. To install the Bentley print drivers on your laptop, visit the Falcon Printing website. You will also find information about printing funds and costs on that site.  

Get Updates 

Keep an eye on your inbox for our regular monthly In the Know email, and don’t forget to follow @BentleyLibrary on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook for updates, news, events, and photos.  

Designed Just For You: Research Guides for Courses, Projects & Topics

Taking GB112, GB214 or GB320 this semester? Reference Librarians have designed custom library research guides to point you to the best resources for your assignments. Whether you’re looking for a SWOT analysis for Apple, consumer trends for frozen desserts, or an analysis of the insurance industry, we’ve got you covered!

Research guides are also available for a variety of other courses, including History, EXP Writing, GLS and Marketing.

But wait…there’s more! Library research guides can help you navigate a number of popular research topics and questions. For example:

Look for the Research Guides link in the Research Help on our homepage to browse and search our entire collection of guides.

Don’t forget, you can Ask a Reference Librarian for research help 7 days a week! Send an email to redesk@bentley.edu, use the live chat widget, or text 781.728.0511.

Look for the Research Guides link on the library’s home page.

Top 10 Most Utilized Library Research Guides

The library building may be closed but Research Guides are open for business. Our 87 research guides were viewed 9,541 times in the last 30 days.

Most popular 10 guides by views:

Views Guide Name
2336 Citing Online Business Resources using APA Style
1214 Expository Writing Research Guide
736 Bentley Library Coronavirus Updates & Remote Services
546 Online Micro-Volunteering & Crowdsourced Projects
452 Pro/Con, Position Papers or Debates
352 GB214 Team Project Library Research Guide
335 Current News
286 Copyright Information & Guidelines
182 Film & Television Research
172 PS388: Abnormal Psychology (Nash)

There are guides for specific topics (American Political Elections), programs (GB112), and courses (HI200: Researching a Person). Some guides support specific assignments (Pro/Con, Position Papers or Debates) and some provide excellent information about special collections, such as Archives and Scholars @ Bentley. We’ve also built a guide to support our patrons’ need for remote access.  

Search by keyword or browse the complete list. Need more support for your project than the guide provides? Just open the chat box to get connected with a reference librarian for more personalized assistance.

Don’t forget, you can Ask a Librarian for help!

Faculty please take note! The library team will be happy to collaborate with you to create a guide or point you to an existing one that will meet your needs. Please reach out to your Library Liaison for assistance.

Research Guides for GB320, GB214 and More!

Taking GB214 or GB320 this semester? Let us help! Reference Librarians have designed custom library research guides to point you to the best resources for your assignments. Whether you’re looking for a SWOT analysis for Starbucks, a survey of the donut industry, consumer trends for luxury goods, or lacrosse participation data, we’ve got you covered! Take a look at the GB320 and GB214 research guides now – your first assignments are due very soon.

Library research guides are also available for a number of popular research topics and questions. For example:

Look for the Research Guides link in the Research Help on our homepage to browse and search our entire collection of guides.

Look for the Research Guides link on the library’s home page.

Don’t forget, you can Ask a Librarian for help 7 days a week! Visit us in-person at the library, send us an email (redesk@bentley.edu), use our chat widget, give us a call at 781.891.2300, or text to 781.728.0511.

Wednesday, December 4: Research Party!

Research Party hosted by the Library & The Writing Center flyer. Wednesday, December 4, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Room 11, Lower Level.

The Library is offering an opportunity to unwind, socialize with fellow students, and finish up final assignments with a research party!

Bring whatever you are working on and get immediate expert assistance. Librarians and Writing Center tutors will be standing by and can support you with as much or as little help as you need.

Come solo or with some friends, and enjoy some snacks!

Wednesday, December 4th
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

No RSVP necessary – just drop by LIB Room 011.

Don’t forget: librarians also provide research help 7 days/week at the Reference Desk. Visit, email, call 781.891.2300, text 781.728.0511, or IM/chat with a librarian whenever the Reference Desk is open.

The Writing Center tutors provide writing and citation help 6 days/week when the Writing Center is open. Visit the Writing Center website for hours, contact information, and to schedule an appointment.

Finding Quality Sources: Research Help

Have a paper or project due soon, and need information to complete it? Drop in to:

Finding Quality Sources: Research Help

Bring whatever you are working on to a reference librarian and get immediate expert assistance in finding the information you need, whether it be articles, statistics, company information, or books. You will walk away with the source or two (or three) that you need!

When:

  • Monday, February 25th 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 26th   2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 27th 11:00 a.m. to noon
  • Thursday, February 28th 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Where:

Research Instruction Center (RIC), Room 11, on the lower level of the library.

No RSVP necessary – just drop in to the library’s classroom (room 11) anytime during the sessions.


Don’t forget, librarians also provide research help 7 days/week at the Reference Desk. Visit, email, call, text, or IM/chat with a librarian whenever the Reference Desk is open.

Finding Quality Sources: Drop-In Research Help

Have a paper or project due soon, and need information to complete it? Drop in to:

Finding Quality Sources: Research Help

Bring whatever you are working on to a reference librarian and get immediate expert assistance in finding the information you need, whether it be articles, statistics, company information, or books. You will walk away with the source or two (or three) that you need!

Monday, November 12
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 13
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 14
11:00 a.m. to noon

Thursday, November 15
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

No RSVP necessary – just drop in to the library’s classroom (room 11) anytime during the sessions.

Don’t forget, librarians also provide research help 7 days/week at the Reference Desk. Visit, email, call, text, or IM/chat with a librarian whenever the Reference Desk is open.

Finding Quality Sources: Drop-In Research Help

Have a paper or project due soon, and need information to complete it? Drop in to:

Finding Quality Sources: Research Help

Bring whatever you are working on to a reference librarian and get immediate expert assistance in finding the information you need, whether it be articles, statistics, company information, or books. You will walk away with the source or two (or three) that you need!

Friday, April 6
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Monday, April 9
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 10
2:00 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. (activity period)

No RSVP necessary – just drop in to the library’s classroom (room 11) anytime during the sessions.

Don’t forget, librarians also provide research help 7 days/week at the Reference Desk. Visit, email, call, text, or IM/chat with a librarian whenever the Reference Desk is open.