Miami University Library Hours 2025 - Oxford Campus
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Miami University Libraries in Oxford, Ohio serve 20,000+ students, faculty, and Southwest Ohio residents with 6 specialized libraries and over 1 million volumes. Founded in 1809 with the motto "Love and Honor," Miami University operates one of Ohio's finest academic library systems, anchored by the flagship Edgar W. King Library in the heart of uptown Oxford campus.
King Library extends to 24-hour access during finals weeks (end of fall and spring semesters), with regular hours of Sunday-Thursday until 2am, making it one of the latest-open university libraries in Ohio. The library welcomes public visitors – no Miami ID required for in-library use, research, and study. Free WiFi, computer access, over 1,000 study seats, and climate-controlled study spaces are available to all visitors with photo ID.
Miami's library system includes specialized collections serving business (B.E.S.T. Library), music (Amos Music Library), art and architecture (Gardner-Harvey, Wertz), and general undergraduate research (King Library). With free visitor parking at Walnut Street garage (2-hour limit), beautiful historic Oxford campus setting, and extensive study spaces from silent carrels to collaborative group rooms, Miami University Libraries offer exceptional resources whether you're a Miami student preparing for finals, Oxford resident researching family history, or visitor exploring Southwest Ohio academic collections.
📚 Edgar W. King Library (Main Library)
Address: 151 S. Campus Avenue, Oxford, OH 45056
Phone: (513) 529-3545
Email: libanswers@miamioh.edu
Website: lib.miamioh.edu
Current Opening Hours
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| Academic Year (Fall/Spring) | |
| Sunday | 7:30 AM - 2:00 AM (next day) |
| Monday - Thursday | 7:30 AM - 2:00 AM (next day) |
| Friday | 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Finals Weeks (End of Semester) | |
| Extended Hours | 24 HOURS (Typically 10-14 days per semester) |
| Summer Sessions | |
| Monday - Friday | 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
| University Breaks & Holidays | |
| Thanksgiving Break | CLOSED (Wed-Sun) |
| Winter Break (Dec-Jan) | Reduced hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Weekends CLOSED |
| Spring Break | Reduced hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-6pm |
⚠️ Hours vary by academic calendar. Check lib.miamioh.edu/hours for today's hours and finals week 24-hour schedule (typically during December and May exam periods).
Getting to King Library
🚗 Driving & Parking
From I-75 North or South: Take Exit 24 (US-27/Oxford) → Follow US-27 North into Oxford → Turn right on Campus Avenue → King Library on right (between Upham Hall and Bachelor Hall, central quad)
Visitor Parking Options:
- Walnut Street Garage (Closest) - Corner of Walnut & Maple Street, 2-minute walk to King Library. FREE for visitors, 2-hour limit enforced. Enter from Walnut Street.
- Metered Spaces on Campus Avenue - $1.50/hour, 2-hour max. Coins or credit card accepted. Meters enforced Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
- Patterson Avenue Lot - Free parking after 5pm weekdays and all day weekends. 5-minute walk to King Library.
- ⚠️ Red Zone parking (reserved for Miami permit holders) is strictly enforced 24/7 - tickets $75+!
🚌 Public Transit
Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) operates limited bus service to Oxford from Hamilton, Ohio. Route 15 (Hamilton-Oxford) stops at Uptown Oxford transit center, 3-minute walk to King Library. Service runs Mon-Fri only, no weekend service. Miami students ride free with student ID.
Miami Campus Shuttle: Free for all riders during academic year. Red Route and Blue Route both stop at King Library. Runs 7am-11pm Mon-Fri, limited weekend service. Real-time tracking via TransLoc Rider app.
🚴 Biking & Walking
Oxford is highly bikeable! Bike racks located at King Library north entrance (Campus Avenue side). Library is walking distance from all residence halls (5-15 minutes). Safe, well-lit pedestrian paths throughout campus.
What Makes King Library Special
- 5 Floors of Study Spaces - Over 1,000 individual seats, silent study floor (5th), quiet zones (3rd-4th), collaborative spaces (1st-2nd), and reservable group study rooms
- 24-Hour Access During Finals - Extended to round-the-clock during December and May exam periods (typically 10-14 days each semester). RedHawks study all night!
- Research Assistance Desk - Staffed by professional librarians Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, student assistants until midnight. Ask questions, get help with citations, research strategies
- Technology Commons - 200+ desktop computers (Windows & Mac), free printing (first 500 pages/semester for Miami students), scanners, presentation practice rooms
- Special Collections & Archives - Miami University Archives (Walter Havighurst Special Collections), rare books, historical documents, Miami memorabilia from 1809. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, appointment recommended
- Starbucks Café (Ground Floor) - Coffee, snacks, light meals. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm during academic year. Food/drink allowed on ground floor only
- Free WiFi - "MiamiOH" network for Miami affiliates (requires login), "MiamiOH-Guest" for visitors (self-registration, no password needed)
- Climate Control Year-Round - Air conditioning in summer (May-Sept), heating in winter. Comfortable 68-72°F throughout building
🎵 Amos Music Library
Location: 102 Center for Performing Arts, 1601 University Blvd, Oxford, OH 45056
Phone: (513) 529-3134
Current Hours
| Monday - Thursday | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
What's Here: Amos Music Library serves Miami's School of Creative Arts with 30,000+ scores, recordings, music reference materials, and streaming music databases. Listening stations with high-quality headphones, music practice spaces, and extensive collections of jazz, classical, and world music. Open to public for research. Perfect for musicians, music history students, and classical music enthusiasts.
💼 B.E.S.T. Library (Business, Engineering, Science & Technology)
Location: 1601 University Blvd, Oxford, OH 45056 (adjacent to Armstrong Student Center)
Phone: (513) 529-2840
Current Hours
| Monday - Thursday | 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
What's Here: B.E.S.T. Library specializes in business, engineering, science, and technology resources for Miami's Farmer School of Business and College of Engineering & Computing. Modern study spaces, Bloomberg terminals (business students), engineering databases, patents/standards, and technical reference materials. Group study rooms with whiteboards and monitors. Public welcome for research.
📖 Study Spaces Guide
Silent Study (King Library 5th Floor)
Noise Level: ABSOLUTE SILENCE enforced
Best For: Deep concentration, exam prep, thesis writing, reading dense textbooks
Features: Individual carrels, no talking policy strictly enforced by staff, no group work, perfect during finals week
Capacity: 150+ individual seats with desk lamps
Note: Most popular floor during midterms/finals - arrive before 9am for best seat selection!
Quiet Study Zones (King Library 3rd & 4th Floors)
Noise Level: Whisper-quiet, minimal conversation allowed
Best For: Reading, individual work, occasional partner collaboration (whisper level only)
Features: Mix of tables and carrels, windows overlooking campus, comfortable chairs
Capacity: 400+ seats combined
Group Study Rooms (King Library All Floors)
Noise Level: Normal conversation permitted
Best For: Group projects, study groups, presentation practice
Features: Whiteboards, HDMI monitors, 4-8 person capacity, reservable online
Reservation: Book up to 2 weeks in advance via library website (Miami ID required). Walk-ins welcome if available.
Rooms Available: 25+ group study rooms across King Library
Collaborative Spaces (King Library 1st & 2nd Floors)
Noise Level: Moderate conversation, casual study atmosphere
Best For: Group work, coffee breaks, meeting friends, relaxed studying
Features: Comfortable seating, near Starbucks, food/drink allowed (ground floor only), charging stations
🌟 Top 3 Study Spots at Miami Libraries
1. King Library Silent Study Floor (5th Floor)
Why RedHawks Love It: Absolute silence, no distractions, perfect for hardcore exam prep. Window seats overlooking uptown Oxford are coveted spots!
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings 7:30-10am (less crowded). AVOID Sunday evenings before exams - packed!
Insider Tip: North side window carrels get natural light but can be warm in afternoon. South side stays cooler.
2. King Library Group Study Rooms (All Floors)
Why RedHawks Love It: Private rooms for group projects, whiteboards for brainstorming, monitors for presentations. No noise complaints!
Best Time to Visit: Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead during fall/spring semesters. Walk-ins possible Friday afternoons and weekends.
Insider Tip: Rooms 401-405 (4th floor) have best whiteboards. Ground floor rooms (101-110) allow food/drink from Starbucks.
3. B.E.S.T. Library (Business/Engineering Students)
Why RedHawks Love It: Less crowded than King, newer building, Bloomberg terminals, engineering-specific resources, near Armstrong Student Center dining.
Best Time to Visit: Weekends (much quieter than King). Saturday mornings excellent for uninterrupted study.
Insider Tip: 2nd floor has best natural light. Business majors: Bloomberg terminals require training - sign up via Farmer School.
💡 6 Insider Tips for Miami University Libraries
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Finals Week 24-Hour Marathon Strategy
King Library goes 24 hours during finals weeks (typically late November/early December for fall, late April/early May for spring). The library gets packed 8pm-2am but is surprisingly quiet 3am-7am. Pro tip: Arrive after midnight for best seat selection on Silent Study Floor. Library provides free coffee and snacks during 24-hour periods (usually available near circulation desk). Check exact dates at lib.miamioh.edu/hours.
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Free Parking Hack for Visitors
Walnut Street Garage offers FREE 2-hour parking for visitors (strictly enforced - set a phone timer!). For longer visits: Park at Patterson Avenue lot (free after 5pm weekdays, all day weekends) - only 5-minute walk to King Library. Avoid red zone parking (Miami permit only) - Oxford parking enforcement is strict, $75+ tickets!
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Study Floor Hierarchy - Know Before You Go
5th floor = absolute silence (whisper = dirty looks). 3rd & 4th floors = whisper quiet OK for brief questions. 2nd floor = collaborative, moderate talking allowed. Ground floor = casual atmosphere, food/drink from Starbucks permitted. Don't be "that person" talking on phone on 5th floor!
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Reserve Group Study Rooms Early
Group study rooms book up fast during fall/spring semesters, especially Sun-Wed evenings. Reserve up to 2 weeks in advance at lib.miamioh.edu (requires Miami login). Walk-ins possible but don't count on it during midterms/finals. Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings have best walk-in availability. Each reservation limited to 2 hours during peak times.
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Food & Drink Policy - Where You Can Eat
King Library allows food/drink on GROUND FLOOR ONLY (near Starbucks). Floors 2-5 = water bottles with lids only, no food. Staff will ask you to move if eating/drinking outside ground floor. Starbucks (ground floor) open until 9pm weekdays, great for study breaks. Bring sealed water bottle for upper floors - dehydration during long study sessions is real!
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Combine Library Visit with Uptown Oxford
King Library is in the heart of uptown Oxford, 2-minute walk from High Street (main drag). Grab lunch at Mac & Joe's, Bagel & Deli, or Kofenya before hitting the books. Spring/fall weekends: Farmers Market at Uptown Park (Saturdays 9am-1pm, May-Oct). Make library trip a day outing - study morning, explore Oxford afternoon. Perfect small-town college atmosphere!
📇 Getting a Library Card
For Miami University Students, Faculty & Staff
Card Type: MiamiCard (student/employee ID doubles as library card)
Borrowing Privileges: Full access to all library materials, unlimited checkouts, interlibrary loan, group study room reservations
How to Get: MiamiCard automatically activated for library use upon enrollment/employment. No separate library card needed.
Cost: FREE (included with tuition/employment)
For Community Members & Visitors
In-Library Use: FREE - No card needed! All visitors welcome to use libraries for research, study, WiFi, and computer access. Bring photo ID for computer login.
Community Borrower Card (For Borrowing Materials):
- Cost: $50/year
- Eligibility: Anyone 18+ with photo ID and proof of address
- Borrowing Limits: 25 items (books, DVDs, music), 14-day checkout period, renewals allowed if no holds
- Apply: Visit King Library Circulation Desk (ground floor) with photo ID + utility bill/lease showing Ohio address. Cash, check, or credit card accepted.
- Note: Community Borrower cards do NOT include group study room reservations (Miami affiliates only) or printing allowance, but DO include interlibrary loan access.
OhioLINK Reciprocal Borrowing (For Ohio Residents): If you have a library card from ANY Ohio public library, you may be eligible for reciprocal borrowing at Miami through OhioLINK program. Ask at your home library or check ohiolink.edu.
📞 Contact & Additional Information
King Library Main Desk
Phone: (513) 529-3545
Email: libanswers@miamioh.edu
Hours: Same as building hours
Research Help & Librarians
Ask a Librarian: lib.miamioh.edu/ask
Live Chat: Available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Research Appointments: Schedule 1-on-1 via website
Special Collections & Archives
Phone: (513) 529-3323
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, appointment recommended
Location: King Library 3rd Floor
Parking & Campus Security
Parking Services: (513) 529-2331
Campus Safety: (513) 529-2222 (24/7)
Visitor Info: miamioh.edu/parking
Important Links:
- Library Hours (Updated Daily): lib.miamioh.edu/hours
- Reserve Study Rooms: lib.miamioh.edu/rooms
- Library Catalog (Search Books): miami.primo.exlibrisgroup.com
- Visitor & Parking Info: miamioh.edu/visit
- Academic Calendar (Finals Dates): miamioh.edu/academics/calendar
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is King Library really open until 2am on weeknights?
YES! During fall and spring semesters, King Library stays open until 2:00 AM Sunday-Thursday nights. This is one of the latest closing times among Ohio university libraries. Friday and Saturday nights close earlier (10pm). Summer hours are reduced. The late hours are extremely popular with Miami students, especially the week before exams. Many RedHawks study from 9pm to 2am to avoid daytime crowds.
Can I bring my laptop and use WiFi?
Absolutely! All Miami libraries have free WiFi. Miami students/staff use "MiamiOH" network (requires Miami login). Visitors use "MiamiOH-Guest" network (self-registration, no password needed, 24-hour access). Hundreds of power outlets throughout King Library at desks, carrels, and tables. Bring your charger - outlets get taken quickly during peak times!
Where should high school students or prospective students study?
King Library welcomes prospective students! Best spots for visitors: Ground floor collaborative spaces (near Starbucks, relaxed atmosphere) or 3rd floor quiet study zones. The 5th floor Silent Study is very strict about noise - might feel intimidating for first-time visitors. Parking at Walnut Street Garage (free, 2-hour limit). Great way to experience Miami campus before applying!
Does the library have printing and scanning?
Yes! King Library Technology Commons (ground floor) has 200+ computers with printing and scanning. Miami students get 500 FREE pages per semester (black & white), then $0.10/page. Visitors can print via guest computer login using credit card ($0.25/page black & white, $0.50 color). Scanners are FREE for everyone - scan to email or USB drive. Color printing available at Reference Desk.
Is there a coffee shop or food inside?
King Library has a Starbucks on the ground floor (open Mon-Fri 7:30am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm during academic year). Full menu: coffee, tea, sandwiches, pastries. Food and drink allowed on GROUND FLOOR ONLY - floors 2-5 permit only water bottles with lids. Armstrong Student Center (dining hall) is 5-minute walk from King Library with more food options.
What if I need help with research or finding materials?
Miami librarians are amazing! Research Help Desk on King Library ground floor, staffed Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (professional librarians), extended hours with student assistants until midnight. Ask questions about finding sources, citation help, database searching. Live Chat available via lib.miamioh.edu/ask (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). You can also schedule 1-on-1 appointments with subject specialist librarians for in-depth research help.
Plan Your Visit to Miami University Libraries
Whether you're a Miami RedHawk pulling an all-nighter, Oxford resident researching local history, or visitor exploring Southwest Ohio's premier academic library, King Library and Miami's specialized libraries offer exceptional resources, study spaces, and welcoming atmosphere.
Before you visit: Check today's hours at lib.miamioh.edu/hours (hours vary by academic calendar and finals weeks). Bring photo ID for computer/WiFi access. Park at Walnut Street Garage (free, 2-hour limit) or metered spaces on Campus Avenue.
Questions? Call King Library at (513) 529-3545 or email libanswers@miamioh.edu. Love and Honor! 🔴⚪
Verified Info: Our team personally contacts libraries to verify hours. Data last confirmed: December 2025
Common Questions About Miami University Libraries
What time do libraries open in Miami University?
Most public libraries in Miami University open at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM on weekdays. Weekend hours typically start at 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM. Academic and university libraries may open earlier, around 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM during the semester.
Are Miami University libraries open on weekends?
Yes, most Miami University public libraries are open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Sunday hours vary by location, with many libraries operating reduced hours (12:00 PM to 5:00 PM) or remaining closed.
Do I need a library card to visit Miami University libraries?
No, you can visit and use library facilities without a card. However, borrowing books, accessing computers, and using certain services require a free library card. Residents can get one with valid ID and proof of address.