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U of A Libraries and Study Spaces: Rutherford, Cameron, Sperber
Rutherford Library is the U of A's largest library and the usual choice for arts, education and quiet reading. Cameron Library serves science, engineering and ALES, and its basement is open 24/7 to students with a ONEcard. Sperber Library, in the Kipnes Health Research Academy, has the most bookable rooms. You can book a study room up to seven days ahead, for up to two hours a day in term.
Sources checked September 30, 2026. View sources
The main libraries side by side
The U of A publishes these details on each library's page. Room counts come from the library's booking page; where a library page says something different, both numbers are shown.
| Library | Best for | Bookable rooms | Study space notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford (North and South), 11208 89 Avenue | Arts, Education and Native Studies collections | 7 on the booking page; the Rutherford page says 5 | Over 700 study spaces on five floors in North and just under 500 in South. A skylit galleria joins the two buildings. |
| Cameron, 11231 Saskatchewan Drive | Science, Engineering and ALES | 18, on the main floor and basement | Knowledge Common and Study Hall in the basement are open 24/7. The fourth floor is temporarily closed for construction. |
| Sperber, Kipnes Health Research Academy | Nursing, Medicine and Dentistry, Pharmacy, Kinesiology | 22 (12 group, 10 individual) | Silent zone in the back half of the lower level. Media lab and VR lab need booking. |
| Bibliothèque Saint-Jean, Pavillon McMahon | Campus Saint-Jean programs, in French | 5 | 48 study carrels, two with adjustable desks, and a silent study room |
| Augustana Library, the Forum, Camrose | Augustana Campus | 7 rooms and 3 booths | A 24/7 space through the south Forum doors, closed on statutory holidays and in summer |
Hours for a regular fall 2026 week
These are the published hours for the week of October 5, 2026. Staffed hours are when the service desk is open. After that, some floors stay open to students who tap a ONEcard. Hours change for holidays and exams; the libraries closed on September 30 for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
| Location | Monday to Thursday | Friday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron (staffed) | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., then ONEcard access to 9 p.m. | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | ONEcard access 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Cameron basement (Knowledge Common and Study Hall) | Open 24 hours with a ONEcard | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours |
| Rutherford North (staffed) | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., then ONEcard access to 9 p.m. | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | ONEcard access 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Rutherford South (staffed) | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., then ONEcard access to 9 p.m. | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., then ONEcard access to 6 p.m. | ONEcard access 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Sperber (staffed) | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., then ONEcard access to 8 p.m. | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | ONEcard access noon to 5 p.m. |
| Bibliothèque Saint-Jean | 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Closed |
| Augustana Library | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; 24/7 space open |
Quiet, silent and group zones
Each library marks zones. Silent means no talking and your phone on silent. Quiet means whispering and your phone on vibrate. Discussion zones allow normal conversation and group work.
| Library | Silent | Quiet | Discussion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford North | 5th floor and room 3-112 | 3rd floor | Main, 2nd and 4th floors |
| Rutherford South | None listed | 2nd floor reading room | 2nd floor foyer |
| Cameron | 3rd floor | Basement Knowledge Common and Study Hall | Main floor and 2nd floor common area |
| Sperber | Back half of the lower level | Lower level around the stairs | Level 1 |
| Augustana | None listed | Lower level | Main floor |
Study room rules
Rooms are for U of A students and staff during library hours. Book them on the library's LibCal pages.
- Book up to seven days ahead.
- In term you can book two hours a day. During exams it's four hours a day.
- One booking per group. Booking a room under each group member's name isn't allowed.
- You get a 15-minute grace period. After that, staff can give the room away.
- Only cold snacks and drinks in closed containers are allowed. No hot or strong-smelling food, no delivery orders and no food at computers.
- Rooms aren't secure, so don't leave your things behind.
Other spaces worth knowing
The Digital Scholarship Centre on Cameron's second floor has makerspaces, media studios and high-performance computers. You complete an online module and a practice session before using the tools. Cameron and Sperber both offer free mediated 3D printing for educational projects.
Rutherford's Family Corner, room 3-114, is a child-friendly space for students who are parents. The Weir Law Library is now run by the Faculty of Law and opens to all U of A students with a ONEcard during Law Centre hours. St. Joseph's College Library is open to everyone.
At Augustana, the Nordic Sports Library lends cross-country skis, snowshoes and skates for 72 hours after you sign a waiver.
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.
- University of Alberta Library: hours and locations
- University of Alberta Library: all location hours (LibCal)
- University of Alberta Library: Rutherford Library
- University of Alberta Library: Cameron Library
- University of Alberta Library: Sperber Library
- University of Alberta Library: Bibliothèque Saint-Jean
- University of Alberta Library: Augustana Library
- University of Alberta Library: St. Joseph's College Library
- University of Alberta Library: book study spaces
- University of Alberta Library: study area directory and noise zones
- University of Alberta Library: food and drink policy
- University of Alberta Library: Digital Scholarship Centre