Grey Nuns study space
The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is committed to creating environments where students can study, connect and thrive. As part of this commitment, the administration of the Grey Nuns Reading Room and its adjoining spaces is transitioning from the Library to SGS as of January 5, 2026. The space will become a dedicated hub for learning, research and community for students and postdoctoral fellows.
A new chapter for the Grey Nuns Reading Room
SGS would like to recognize the Library’s outstanding stewardship of the Grey Nuns space since 2014. Library staff welcomed and supported students in this unique setting for more than a decade, making it a cherished study environment for the Concordia community. The administrative transition allows both the Library and SGS to focus their resources where they can best serve students and Concordia’s academic mission.
What's next?
During the transition period from January to April 2026, SGS will be preparing to offer new graduate-focused programming in the Grey Nuns space.
Undergrad students, grad students and postdocs will still be able to access the Reading Room and study rooms. See location, hours and room booking below to see upcoming closures during the winter term—during some large SGS events, access to the Reading Room will be open only to event participants. Additional information about the transition and room booking will be shared here as soon as possible.
For any questions about using the Grey Nuns space, please contact GradProSkills.
FAQ
Yes, all undergraduate students can still access the Reading Room and study rooms.
The administrative change enables SGS to have a consistent space to host activities, including Thesis Boost and Mini-Boost events, Public Scholars and INDI program activities, Doctoral Peer Mentorship Program events, and GradProSkills workshops.
In the situation that a large SGS event takes place in the Reading Room and closes general access to the space, study rooms will be reserved and bookable by undergrad students, grad students and postdocs on a first come, first served basis. These bookable rooms will be designated as group study or silent study rooms.
During the transition period, SGS will monitor the use of these reserved and bookable rooms during events to help inform future management of the space.
The Reading Room and study spaces will no longer be open during weekday evenings, now closing at 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
The space will also be closed during university holidays, and access to the Reading Room may be closed during select SGS events during the academic year (see Location, hours and room bookings).
Location, hours and room bookings
Location
Main entrance:
Sir George Williams Campus
Grey Nuns Building, A Wing (GN)
1190 Guy Street
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Operating hours
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
The Grey Nuns Reading Room and study spaces will be closed during university holidays. The Reading Room only will be closed during select large SGS events. A list of these events for the winter 2026 term will be listed below as of the first week of January 2026.
Upcoming closures:
- Dec. 22, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026: Closed
- Friday, March 6 (Concordia President’s Day): Closed
- Friday, April 3 (Good Friday): Closed
- Monday, April 6 (Easter Monday): Closed
- Monday, May 18 (Quebec National Patriots’ Day): Closed
Booking study rooms
Concordia undergrad students, grad students and postdoctoral fellows will be able to book study rooms in the Grey Nuns space for writing and study groups, or other SGS- and GradProSkills-supported activities:
- Book a study room [available as of January 12, 2026]
- Floor plans
About the Grey Nuns grad space
The Grey Nuns grad space is located a short walk from the Webster Library. The main hall offers a silent study area intended for focused work such as reading, thesis writing and other research-related activities.
The historic chapel, built more than 150 years ago, features distinctive architecture, furnishings, glassworks and artworks. To help preserve the heritage elements of the hardwood floors, visitors are asked to remove their footwear before entering the main hall.
14 study rooms are available for undergraduate students, grad students and postdoctoral fellows. Eleven rooms include digital collaboration tools such as a 46-inch screen, with wired and wireless connections and a wide-angle USB camera.
Wheelchair access is available with assistance from Security.
To enter, please call Campus Safety and Prevention Services at (514) 848-3717 before your arrival to have an agent be ready to meet you. Once you arrive, use the intercom at the archway in 1190 Guy Street to communicate with Security.
To exit, please contact Campus Safety and Prevention Services or use the Rave Guardian App to request assistance to exit the building.
