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Killam Library and Dalhousie Study Spaces: Hours, Study Rooms and Printing
The Killam Memorial Library on the Studley Campus is Dalhousie's largest and busiest library, and Dal calls it the largest academic library in the Maritimes. In fall 2026 it's open until 11 p.m. every night. Dal has five other libraries and learning commons in Halifax, plus the MacRae Library in Truro. Group study rooms can be booked online by current students, for up to 2 hours at a time.
Sources checked September 30, 2026. View sources
Every library and learning commons compared
These are the hours Dal posted for the week of September 27 to October 3, 2026, the regular fall pattern. Hours change around holidays and exams, so check the live hours page before you go. On September 30, 2026, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, several locations were closed or ran shorter hours.
| Location | Campus | Best for | Monday to Friday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killam Memorial Library | Studley, 6225 University Avenue | Science, arts and social sciences, management and computer science | 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Wallace McCain Learning Commons | Studley, 6305 Castine Way | Study rooms, computers and a quiet reading room | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Kellogg Health Sciences Library | Carleton, Tupper Medical Building, 5850 College Street | Health sciences, medicine and dentistry | 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Closed |
| Kellogg Library Learning Commons | Carleton, Collaborative Health Education Building, 5793 University Avenue | Health sciences group study | 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Sexton Design and Technology Library | Sexton, downtown | Engineering, architecture and planning | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday to 6 p.m.) | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Sir James Dunn Law Library | Studley, 6061 University Avenue | Law | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday to 6 p.m.) | Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| MacRae Library | Truro, 135 College Road | Agriculture and Truro students | 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Friday to 6 p.m.) | Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday noon to 8 p.m. |
Inside the Killam
The Killam holds about a million books and 40,000 journals. Its main floor learning commons includes the Downie Wenjack Legacy Space study rooms, and the atrium has a Second Cup, Bento Sushi and a Subway. The Killam help desk is open until 10:45 p.m.
Killam services include the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room and GIS help, both open weekday daytime hours. If a quiet area gets noisy, the Killam runs a text line for noise complaints, except in summer.
- The fourth-floor Grad Pad has study rooms and a seminar room for graduate students. Graduate students writing theses can request a private carrel, with a $10 key deposit.
- The Killam's fourth-floor study rooms were listed as closed for renovation until September 2026. Check the booking page for their current status.
Booking a study room
Study rooms are for current Dalhousie students only, and you sign in with your NetID. You can book up to 7 days ahead, reserve up to 2 hours, and cancel online. Rooms aren't soundproof.
You now check in when you arrive, using the code in your confirmation email or the QR code on the door. Your device has to share its location to confirm you're in the room. Dal says neither it nor the booking system stores your location. If you don't check in within 30 minutes of the start time, the booking is cancelled and released.
| Where | Best for | People |
|---|---|---|
| Wallace McCain Learning Commons | Meetings and quieter work in enclosed rooms | 2 to 6 |
| Sexton Library | Collaborative work | 6 |
| Kellogg Learning Commons | Health sciences students | 8 |
| MacRae Library, Truro | Groups and quiet study, including study booths | 2 to 8 |
| Dunn Law Library | Law students | 2 to 10 |
| Killam Grad Pad | Graduate group projects | 3 to 6 |
Quiet floors, group spaces and carrels
Every location has individual desks, carrels and reading areas. Quiet and silent areas are for individual work; conversation-friendly areas and bookable rooms are for group work. Open carrels are first come, first served.
Dal's learning commons have computers and other technology, which varies by location. Wallace McCain has an outdoor entrance at the end of Lord Dalhousie Drive and an indoor entrance on the second floor of the Life Sciences Centre.
Printing prices
Every Dal library has printers, and printing is charged to your DalCard. From your own laptop, sign in and use Web Print. From a library computer, send the job, then release it at the print station with your DalCard or NetID. At the Sexton Library, jobs print automatically.
| Print type | Killam, Kellogg, MacRae and Sexton | Dunn Law Library |
|---|---|---|
| Black and white, single-sided | $0.10 | $0.10 |
| Black and white, double-sided | $0.18 | $0.12 |
| Colour | $0.50 | $0.50 |
- Dal's price table lists double-sided and colour prices for the Dunn Library, but the same page says Dunn's one public printer prints black and white, single-sided only, at $0.10.
- Poster printing is only at the Killam, in 24 by 36 or 36 by 48 inch sizes, with 3 to 5 business days' turnaround.
MacRae Library on the Truro campus
The MacRae Library and Student Learning Commons at 135 College Road serves the Agricultural Campus. It has a computer lab, campus-wide printing, the self-serve Barley Café and bookable private and group study rooms with whiteboards. The Writing Centre is downstairs.
Keep exploring
Sources and updates
This independent guide summarizes the official information linked below. Availability, access rules and application cycles can change; check the relevant university page before making a decision.
- Dalhousie Libraries: hours and locations
- Dalhousie Libraries: Killam Memorial Library
- Dalhousie Libraries: Wallace McCain Learning Commons
- Dalhousie Libraries: Kellogg Health Sciences Library
- Dalhousie Libraries: Kellogg Library Learning Commons (CHEB)
- Dalhousie Libraries: Sexton Design and Technology Library
- Dalhousie Libraries: Sir James Dunn Law Library
- Dalhousie Libraries: MacRae Library, Truro
- Dalhousie Libraries: study and work spaces
- Dalhousie Libraries: book a study room
- Dalhousie Libraries: library printing services
- Dalhousie Campus Dining: Halifax retail locations
- Dalhousie: Truro and Bible Hill campus tour stops