Academic Collections & Research

Whitcombe Library

The intellectual commons of Alkimi University. Explore rich scholarly collections, 18 collaborative study rooms, specialized research consultation, and 24/7 access during final examinations.

Hours & 24/7 Finals Borrowing & Loans Study Rooms & Spaces Subject Librarians

Building Schedules

Library Hours & 24/7 Finals Access

Whitcombe Library provides extensive weekday and weekend operating schedules, transitioning to round-the-clock operation during semester final exam periods.

Semester Operating Schedule

Monday – Thursday

7:30 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Full stacks, circulation desk, and reference services open.

Friday

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Stacks and technology loan counters open until close.

Saturday

10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Quiet study floors and group study rooms available.

Sunday

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Evening research assistance and extended night study.

Special Schedule

24/7 Finals Week Operations

Whitcombe Library remains open 24 hours a day continuously during final examinations. For Fall 2026, 24/7 operations commence on Reading Day (Thursday, December 10, 2026) and continue through the final exam period from Friday, December 11 through Thursday, December 17, 2026.

Security note: Between 2:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., exterior doors are locked; building entry requires tapping an active AlkimiCard at the front entrance turnstiles.

Whitcombe Library lit up at night during finals — Whitcombe Library illuminated during 24/7 final examinations.

Circulation & Access

Borrowing Privileges, Loans, and Interlibrary Loan

Borrow print books, technology chargers, course reserves, and interlibrary loan items using your AlkimiCard.

Borrower / Material Category	Loan Period	Renewal Policy	Privileges & Stack Conditions
Undergraduate Students	28 days	Renewable twice online (if no hold placed)	Access to physical stacks and digital reserves
Graduate Students	One full academic semester	Renewable online each term	Includes extended interlibrary loan privileges
University Faculty	One full academic year	Annual stack inventory renewal	Curricular course reserve placement
Course Reserves	2 hours (in-library) or 1 day	Non-renewable	High-demand textbooks at circulation desk
Laptops & Technology Chargers	4 hours	In-library use only	Circulation desk checkout with AlkimiCard

Overdue Fines & Lost Item Replacement

Whitcombe Library does not assess daily overdue fines on regular circulating collection books.

Under Student Handbook §17.2, items overdue by more than 30 calendar days are declared lost. The student account is automatically assessed the item's replacement cost plus a non-refundable $15 processing fee. If the lost item is returned in good condition, the replacement charge is credited back to the student account.

Student Handbook §17.1: Borrowing Privileges and Loan Periods · Student Handbook §17.2: Overdue Fines and Replacement Charges

Interlibrary Loan: Alkimi Library Express

Need a book, chapter, or journal article not owned by Whitcombe Library? Our complimentary Alkimi Library Express interlibrary loan system links you to academic collections worldwide.

• Journal Articles & Chapters: Delivered electronically in PDF format within 2 business days.
• Physical Books & Monographs: Shipped from partner libraries and ready for pickup within 7 to 10 days.
• Cost: 100% free for all enrolled students, faculty, and staff.

Policy reference: Student Handbook §17.3: Interlibrary Loan (Alkimi Library Express)

Spaces & Centers

Study Rooms, Centers, and Campus Amenities

Dedicated academic environments supporting quiet contemplation, collaborative group projects, and hands-on fabrication.

2nd & 3rd Floors 18 Rooms

Group Study Rooms

Whitcombe Library houses 18 collaborative study rooms outfitted with 4K digital presentation displays, writable glass whiteboards, and conference seating for 4 to 8 students.

Under §17.4, rooms can be reserved online through the library portal for blocks of up to 3 hours per day.

Student Handbook §17.4: Group Study Rooms and Research Services

3rd Floor Writing Center

The Writing Center

Free one-on-one writing consultations for all stages of the composing process: brainstorming, outlining, drafting, argumentative structure, and source citations.

Staffed by peer writing tutors and faculty consultants. Appointments and drop-in hours offered Monday through Friday.

Drop-in and online appointments available via AlkimiHub

1st Floor Makerspace

The Library Makerspace

A multidisciplinary prototyping facility offering 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl plotters, soldering benches, and microcontroller kits.

Free orientations held weekly. Open to all students regardless of major or prior engineering experience.

Safety training required prior to independent tool use

4th Floor Special Collections

Archives & Special Collections

Preserves institutional records dating to Alkimi's founding in 1891, regional industrial history, rare 19th-century scientific texts, and university memorabilia.

Open to scholarly researchers and student historians by advance appointment Monday through Thursday.

Email askalibrarian@university.alkimi.ai to schedule a reading room visit

Ground Floor Main Lobby

The Crucible Café

Serving locally roasted espresso, specialty teas, cold-brew, sandwiches, and bakery pastries right inside the library entrance.

Accepts Dining Dollars and AlkimiCard flex tender. Extended late-night hours operate during midterms and 24/7 finals week.

Daily coffee and dining service right inside the library main entrance.

Lower Level Tech Support

IT Service Desk & Labs

The university's central walk-in technology support center, computer lab workstations, high-capacity printing, and 14-day laptop loans.

Walk-in assistance Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Visit IT Department Hub →

Specialist Support

Research Consultations by Subject

Partner with subject-specialist librarians for literature reviews, archival research, database search strings, and bibliographic organization.

Arts & Humanities