Library Hours Starting September 10

Rolvaag Library:   

• Mondays—Thursdays: 7:45 a.m.–Midnight
• Fridays: 7:45 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Saturdays: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Sundays: Noon–Midnight

Music Library:

• Mondays—Thursdays: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Fridays: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Saturdays: Noon–6 p.m.
• Sundays: Noon–10 p.m.

Our full hours are also posted online.

Library and IT Events and Engagement Team Upcoming Book Displays

• September 15–October 15: Hispanic/Latinidad Heritage Month Display
• October 1–31: LGBTQIA+ History Month Display
• November 1–30: Native American Heritage Month Display

Library Spaces

The Rolvaag Library offers a wide range of study spaces with various accommodations and recommended noise levels. These include individual and group study rooms, various types of lounge/comfortable seating, standing desks, and (new this year!) walking pads with standing desks.

Select library rooms at both libraries can be reserved by going to go.stolaf.edu/spaces and selecting “Library Spaces” when creating a new reservation. These rooms can be reserved for up to 4 hours per day, and reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Reservable rooms have signs beside them denoting that the room is reservable, and if there are currently any reservations for the day.

New Home for St. Olaf’s Distinctive Collections and College Archives

St. Olaf’s Distinctive Collections and College Archives have a new home! We have moved into a newly renovated space on the second floor of Rolvaag Library. You can find us by descending the stairs by Rolvaag Library’s historic main entrance, or via the stairs to the right as you enter the Library’s current main doors. 

As a result of the renovation, Distinctive Collections and College Archives now has both a dedicated classroom and a proctored research room where students, faculty, and staff can more easily engage with the unique resources in our special collections and archives, such as our Nordic American imprints, the Bodman East Asian book collection, artists’ books, and materials from all eras of St. Olaf College history. There is also a spacious reading room holding our genealogy collection, which is used by researchers around the world.

The Norwegian American Historical Association (NAHA) has relocated to this space with us, bringing their nationally known collection about Norwegian-American life and adding to the richness of resources available. We are pleased to be working with them to provide increased access to our collected materials, all in one location. The reading room will be open to the public Monday through Thursday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and by appointment. Please come visit!

The DiSCO and Makerspace: Where Are They Now? 

Some big changes this summer! The DiSCO has spun-off the makerspace, down to a larger area on the 3rd floor. The new makerspace takes with it the crafting, sewing, and 3D printers. The DiSCO remains the media production hub with computers and audio/video recording spaces. The DiSCO classroom is joined by an additional meeting & instruction space at the top of the spiral staircase (where the maker space had been). All spaces may be reserved by request. 

Music Library Updates

The Music Library is located in Christiansen Hall of Music (CHM) room 148. 

New this semester: 

• A listening station for vinyl LPs and CDs is now available, in addition to a permanent display of LP’s available for browsing. 
• Dorico, the professional music engraving program, is now available for students to use on five Music Library computers. 
• eScore Reading Kits are available for students to reserve/check out at the Rolvaag Equipment Desk at go.stolaf.edu/equipment. 

New Walking Pads in Rolvaag Library

Looking for a way to add a little movement to your study time? Four new walking pads are now available in Rolvaag Library on Levels 4 and 3½. These low-speed walking pads offer an opportunity to stay active while reading, studying, or working. The walking pads were generously funded by the Student Government Association (SGA).

To use a walking pad, visit the library’s front desk to borrow a walking pad key. Before checking out a key, you’ll be asked to review and sign a User Waiver. Once you have the key, head to one of the walking pads and enjoy your walk!

A/V Checkout Equipment 

In need of some equipment to help with homework, or just to have fun? Visit go.stolaf.edu/equipment to browse our wide selection of items, including cameras, gaming systems, projectors, speakers, iPads, laptops, and so much more! Equipment is picked up/returned at the Equipment Circulation desk at Rolvaag Library, across from the IT helpdesk. Instructions on how to make reservations can be found here. Instructions on how to use various items can be found at libraryguides.stolaf.edu/equipment-tutorials. 

Loaner Laptop Policy Change

Loaner laptop policies have changed starting this year, with all students eligible for a loaner laptop for up to six weeks each semester, and only select students eligible for a full semester loan (which is determined by the Financial Aid office). Students eligible for the full-semester loan only get one semester with the device, though they will still be able to borrow a laptop for up to six weeks per semester like all other students once they have met the one-semester limit. 

LibKey Nomad 

Researching online and want to know if the library has access to journal articles or ebooks? From publisher sites to Wikipedia and Amazon, download the LibKey Nomad browser extension for quick links to access content available to you, thanks to your library. More information in this LibKey Nomad article.

Access to Newspapers 

Did you know the library provides access to the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Star Tribune, and Washington Post for all students, faculty, and staff? You can sign up via the Online Access to Current Newspapers guide for access to those publications.

HelpDesk Knowledge Base and Technology Support

HELP! That’s all you really need to remember when you are looking for IT assistance. Pointing your browser to help.stolaf.edu takes you not only to our ticketing system for requesting assistance from our team during office hours, but also to our Knowledge Base where you can find step-by-step instructions that answer many of your questions! Using the search bar at the top right of the page will serve up Knowledge Base articles that often answer your questions right away, at whatever time you might be working (no judgement). If you don’t find what you’re looking for, the search also points you to appropriate ticket request forms for further assistance.

The IT Helpdesk offers in-person assistance in Rolvaag Memorial Library room 353 or via phone at 507-786-3830. Visit help.stolaf.edu for IT Helpdesk hours.

New students can find answers here to the most frequently asked technology questions. Don’t forget to set up your Google two-step verification by September 18! The best way to set up two-step verification is through the Account Services site — select Account Setup Checklist.

Do You Like to Game? 

For gamers and esport fans, please visit this knowledge base article, to check if your room is already set up with a wired connection.

The connection to our system is free. The only cost will be the hardware that your computer needs to connect to our network. Many computers purchased recently already have the necessary hardware and need only a cable to connect.

For ethernet activation, contact the IT Helpdesk and let them know you need a physical network connection (ethernet activation). You can call 507-786-3830 or fill out a Network Request form. You’ll be notified once the connection is activated.

St. Olaf eduroam 

If you are new to St. Olaf, best practice is to remove any other eduroam profile from your devices.

Why You Need a New Profile?

• Unique Credentials: Your username and password belong to your specific school.
• Security Rules: Every campus manages its own network certificates and security
• settings.
• Connection Errors: Old profiles often block new ones from working correctly and can cause login errors.

For information about removing and connecting Eduroam to your personal devices see Connecting to the Wireless Network (WiFi)

New Library and IT (LITS) Website 

On August 20, LITS launched a new website that brings library and IT services together, as the two are a combined department, sharing resources, goals, and technology. We hope you find this refreshed website an informative and user-friendly access point for all LITS services. Any links that went to the separate library and IT websites will now be directed to the LITS website.

New Version of Catalyst 

This August, the St. Olaf and Carleton libraries launched a redesigned catalog search box on their library homepages and the latest version of the Catalyst online catalog. The updates provide simpler, more intuitive interfaces, more sustainable infrastructure, and an improved user experience—all while preserving the core functionality you rely on.

Have questions or feedback about the new interfaces? We’d be happy to hear from you. Please submit your questions or feedback via our online form.

Controlling Your Directory Listing 

You can control what shows up in your online directory listing. Using StoFaces, you can show or hide parts of your listing, such as photo, major(s), residence hall or town house, and home address. In SIS, you can add or update your name pronunciation and pronouns.

Information for students is NOT shown to off-campus viewers unless that viewer is logged in with a St. Olaf username. Changes to your listing affects your directory entry on-campus and to those logged in.

Better Security with Passkeys and Biometrics 

As cyber threats continue to evolve, authentication, identity, and traditional passwords remain primary targets for threat actors. Often, stronger security requires more complicated or time-consuming processes. Now there is an option that improves security while being easy and convenient: passkeys.

Passkeys are a modern authentication option that uses public-private key pair cryptography, working like a digital lock-and-key system. Your device holds a unique “key” that proves your identity without ever sharing sensitive information over the internet.

Biometric authentication uses your unique physical characteristics—such as your fingerprint or face—to verify your identity. These physical traits are virtually impossible to fake, so they provide a highly secure and personalized way to access your accounts.

These technologies work together seamlessly: your passkeys are stored securely on your device, and you access them using your biometrics. When you need to authenticate, a simple fingerprint scan or face recognition unlocks your passkey, which then handles the secure authentication process. This connection makes the experience both highly secure and highly convenient. Instead of entering a long, complex password and completing a multi-factor authentication step, you can do it all with a single simple biometric verification.

Passkeys are already available as a login option through Google Authentication. To set up passkeys on your device, sign in to your Google Account, go to Security settings, and select “Passkeys and security keys” under the “How you sign in to Google” section. From there, follow the steps to create a passkey that will be stored securely on your device or password manager of your choosing—whether you’re using Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. Once configured, you can use your device’s built-in biometric authentication (fingerprint reader, facial recognition, or similar) to quickly and securely access your account. 

Student Opportunity: Join the Student LITS Advisory Committee! 

Are you considering a career in libraries, archives, or IT? Interested in making a lasting impact on Library & IT services at St. Olaf? Please consider joining SLAC: the Student LITS Advisory Committee. Members serve as a direct link between the student community and LITS staff, ensuring that student perspectives inform the development and improvement of the libraries and IT. We meet twice each semester during Thursday community hour. We are currently recruiting new members and would love to hear from you! Please contact Dawna Hendricks to learn more: hendri14@stolaf.edu (RML 302).

Calling on Student Organizations: Help Diversify and Promote the Library’s Collections

This academic year, LITS is collaborating with the Taylor Center to help promote the college’s Heritage Months themes (e.g., Hispanic Heritage, Religious Diversity, Women’s History). In recognition of each month, we will be highlighting theme-relevant materials from the library’s collections by means of both physical and digital displays (e.g., books, movies, music). We are seeking to collaborate with student organizations to help curate and promote these materials and have set aside limited funds for purchasing new items to help diversify our collections. The monthly themes we will be observing during the 2026-2027 Academic Year include:

• September: Hispanic Heritage
• October: LGBTQIA+ History
• November: Native American Heritage
• December: Religious + Spiritual Diversity
• January: National Hobby Month
• February: Black History
• March: Women’s History
• April: Disability Awareness
• May: AANHPI Heritage

If your student organization is interested in collaborating on one of these Heritage Month library display themes, please email: Dawna Hendricks (hendri14@stolaf.edu).

Book Display Opportunities 

Did you know you can curate a book display in Rolvaag Library or Halvorson Music Library? Our libraries have rich collections, and creating a display is a great way to discover what we have while also using the library to connect with the campus community and promote your group, event, project, or theme. 

Classes, student organizations, and campus centers and programs can create displays around almost any theme – from a class project or area of interest to a campus event or current issue. It’s a great way to highlight your organization, showcase student work, or help the campus community discover resources related to something happening on campus or in the world.

Interested in creating a display? Submit a Display Request and tell us what you have in mind!

Northfield Public Library Visit 

On Wednesday, September 23, from 2–4 p.m., the Northfield Public Library will be on campus to table in the Rolvaag Memorial Library atrium. They will be taking sign-ups for public library cards, as well as talking about their upcoming events and answering any questions you may have.

Carleton College’s Gould Library 

In addition to using the libraries on our own campus, St. Olaf students and employees are welcome to take advantage of Carleton’s College’s Gould Library as well. You can easily have Gould Library ship requested materials to Rolvaag Library or Halvorson Music Library for pickup. You’re also very welcome to use Gould Library as a study space and take advantage of its library resources whenever it’s open.

Check Gould Library’s building hours before you go. After 8 p.m., Gould’s doors are locked and require a card swipe, but St. Olaf students and employees are still welcome. Just call the Loan Services number posted on the door and show your St. Olaf ID – they love having Ole visitors.