OHSU Library Access: The Map Every Campus Visitor Needs

Last Updated: Written by Dr. Lila Serrano
Table of Contents

Where to enter OHSU Library

The OHSU Library is in the Biomedical Information Communication Center (BICC) on the Marquam Hill campus, and the most practical entrance for most visitors is the 3rd-floor entrance, which is also where the Library Service Desk is located. The library also notes access from the 2nd floor and the 4th floor, so the right entrance depends on where you are arriving from on campus and whether you need public service hours or badge access.

Fast entrance guide

The clearest way to think about the library entrance is by floor rather than by a single front door, because the building is vertically organized and visitors may arrive from different campus elevations. OHSU's current location-and-hours information shows the library's main public service area on the 3rd floor, quieter study and stacks on the 2nd floor, and 24/7 badge-access space on the 4th floor for eligible users. In practical terms, that means the 3rd floor is the safest default if you are just trying to get in, ask for help, or find the service desk.

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  • 3rd floor: Main entrance, Library Service Desk, exhibits, study tables, guest computers, and printers.
  • 2nd floor: Quiet study space, OHSU computers, and print book stacks.
  • 4th floor: Group study rooms, quiet study space, and 24/7 access with an OHSU badge.
  • Best default for first-time visitors: Enter on the 3rd floor.

Floor-by-floor access

The BICC building functions like a multilevel entry point, so the floor you enter from can be as important as the building itself. OHSU's access guidance says the library can be reached on the street-level 2nd floor or bridge-level 4th floor, with the library entrance on the 3rd floor in between. That means someone arriving from a sidewalk path may naturally hit one level, while someone coming from a campus bridge or adjacent building may arrive on another.

Entry level What you'll find Who should use it Typical access
2nd floor Quiet study space, OHSU computers, print book stacks Readers, students, anyone headed to stacks Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
3rd floor Main entrance, service desk, exhibits, tables, guest computers, printers First-time visitors, people needing help Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
4th floor Group study rooms, quiet study space, printers, 24/7 badge access OHSU badge holders 24/7 for eligible users

How to get there

If you are navigating by campus landmarks, the most useful mental map is that the main lobby and nearby pathways can funnel you toward the BICC from multiple directions. Campus guidance indicates one route from the OHSU main lobby is to exit and follow the paved path between Baird Hall and Dillehunt Hall, then continue toward the library building. Another access note says visitors can also exit from the 9th floor of Hatfield Research Center near Plaza Café and enter the BICC through the main entrance, which is useful if you are already on the upper campus loop.

  1. Identify where you are on Marquam Hill before choosing an entrance level.
  2. If you need the front desk, head for the 3rd floor.
  3. If you are coming from a street-level approach, check whether you have landed on the 2nd floor first.
  4. If you already have an OHSU badge and need after-hours study space, use the 4th floor.
  5. If you are unsure, use the 3rd-floor service area as your anchor point.

What changed recently

OHSU's current library page shows that the BICC 2nd and 3rd floors, along with the service desk, were scheduled to close at noon on May 13, which is a reminder that access can shift for events, maintenance, or operational changes. The same page also shows the library's service model is mixed: some spaces are public during staffed hours, while others are badge-restricted or available around the clock to eligible users. For visitors, this means the best entrance map is not only about location, but also about timing.

"The Library's BICC 2nd and 3rd floors, as well as our service desk, will close at noon on May 13."

Visitor scenarios

The right entry point depends on your purpose, and that is why a floor-based map is more useful than a single arrow on a building diagram. If you are coming in for a quick question, the 3rd-floor entrance is the most efficient choice because it places you directly at the service desk. If you want a quiet place to work or need the stacks, the 2nd floor is the better target, while badge holders who need late access should aim for the 4th floor.

  • Need help finding a book: Enter on the 3rd floor and ask at the desk.
  • Need quiet study space: Go to the 2nd or 4th floor depending on access.
  • Need group study rooms: Use the 4th floor.
  • Coming from another building: Follow the campus connection that brings you closest to your target floor.

Access timing

Hours matter because the service desk and the building's open study areas do not follow identical schedules. OHSU lists the 3rd-floor service desk as open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., while the 4th floor is available 24/7 with an OHSU badge. That split is important for students, clinicians, and staff who may assume the whole library behaves like a single room with one set of hours.

For practical planning, the most common mistake is arriving at the wrong floor after hours and expecting staffed help. The better approach is to treat the 3rd floor as the daytime public entrance and the 4th floor as the extended-hours study zone. If you are a guest without a badge, the 3rd-floor service area is the part of the library most likely to meet your needs quickly.

Best map logic

A useful entrance map for OHSU Library should show three things at once: the building name, the floor level, and the nearest campus approach. That is because OHSU's library is not a single-level storefront; it is a multi-access academic space embedded in a larger medical campus. A floor-aware map prevents the common error of arriving at the building and then still having to figure out which level contains the door you actually need.

In simple terms, the 3rd floor is the "front door," the 2nd floor is the "study and stacks" level, and the 4th floor is the "after-hours badge access" level. If you are building your own mental map, those three labels are more useful than street names alone. They match how the library is presented in OHSU's own hours and locations information.

Quick directions

Use the following simple route logic if you are arriving for the first time: aim for the BICC on Marquam Hill, then choose the floor based on your need. The 3rd floor is the best choice for directions, reference help, or first contact with staff. The 2nd floor is best when you want study tables, computer access, or stacks, and the 4th floor is best for badge holders who need flexible access beyond standard hours.

  1. Arrive at the BICC on the OHSU Marquam Hill campus.
  2. Locate the level that matches your purpose.
  3. Use the 3rd floor for the service desk and main entry.
  4. Use the 2nd floor for quiet study and books.
  5. Use the 4th floor if you have badge access and need 24/7 space.

FAQ

Helpful tips and tricks for Ohsu Library Access The Map Every Campus Visitor Needs

Where is the main entrance to OHSU Library?

The main entrance is on the 3rd floor of the Biomedical Information Communication Center on the Marquam Hill campus, and that is also where the Library Service Desk is located.

Can I enter OHSU Library from other floors?

Yes. OHSU's location guidance indicates access from the 2nd floor and the 4th floor as well, depending on where you arrive from on campus and whether you have badge access.

Which entrance should first-time visitors use?

First-time visitors should use the 3rd-floor entrance because it leads directly to the service desk and the main public-facing part of the library.

Is the library open all night?

Not as a whole. OHSU lists the 4th floor as 24/7 with an OHSU badge, while the staffed service desk on the 3rd floor operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Where are the books?

OHSU places print book stacks on the 2nd floor, along with quiet study space and OHSU computers.

What if I just need help finding the right place?

Go to the 3rd floor, because that is the library's main entrance and the location of the service desk.

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Entertainment Historian

Dr. Lila Serrano

Dr. Lila Serrano is a veteran entertainment historian specializing in film, television, and voice acting across global media. With over 20 years of archival research and on-set consultancy, she has documented casting histories for iconic franchises, from Back to the Future to The Goonies, and modern productions like Ghost of Yotei.

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