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.
Using the Grey Nuns study space
Beginning in fall 2026, the Grey Nuns study space includes a mix of group study rooms, graduate-focused study and co-working spaces, lunch areas and a room used for SGS workshops and activities.
Undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will continue to have access to the Reading Room and group study rooms. Some designated rooms prioritize bookings by graduate students or may be reserved for SGS and GradProSkills activities.
For any questions about using the Grey Nuns space, please email us.
FAQ
Yes. All undergraduate students continue to have access to the Reading Room and group study rooms. Some designated rooms are only bookable by graduate students but are still available to undergraduate students in the absence of graduate bookings. Rooms may also bereserved periodically for SGS programming and graduate-focused activities.
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. Group Study Rooms will remain bookable during these events.
Closures for the fall 2026 term:
- Monday, October 12 (Thanksgiving): All rooms closed
- Thursday, October 22 (SGS event): Reading Room closed
- Thursday, November 12 (SGS event): Reading Room closed
- Friday, December 4 (SGS event): Reading Room closed
- Dec. 18, 2026 – Jan. 10, 2027: All rooms 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
Graduate students wishing to book the “graduate-focused rooms” can contact us. - Room booking policies
- Floor plans
About the Grey Nuns study space
The Grey Nuns study 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.
The rooms adjoining the Reading Room support different types of study, collaboration and graduate programming:
Rooms |
Use |
B.108–B.109 and B.120–B.125 |
Bookable group study rooms for undergraduate and graduate students |
B.110–B.111 |
Graduate-focused study rooms; undergraduate students may use them when they are not reserved by graduate students |
B.106 |
Graduate co-working and group workspace; periodically reserved for SGS co-working sessions. All students may use them when available |
B.101–B.104 |
Lunch and break spaces; food is permitted |
B.105 |
Workshop room. Reserved for SGS activities |
Selected rooms include screens and other AV equipment. Check the room booking system or floor plan for room-specific equipment.
Please note: The Reading Room is a silent study environment. Group study and co-working rooms are collaborative spaces, where conversation and discussion at a reasonable volume are permitted.
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.
Recognizing Library's decade-long stewardship
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.
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