Study Rooms

Location:  Central Library, Upper Level

There are three (3) study rooms at the Central Library near the public computer area.

• Study rooms can accommodate individuals or groups of 2-5 people.
• Study rooms can be reserved daily on a first come, first serve basis
• Patrons must request to reserve a study room in person at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Central Library. You must have a valid Newport Beach Public Library card. 
• The library will not accept telephone or e-mail requests to use the study rooms.
• Customers may only schedule one 2-hour study room session at a time, and must wait until their current session is over before scheduling a new session.
• Reservations for Study Rooms will be honored for 10 minutes past the requested time. Failure to arrive within 10 minutes of the requested time will result in a forfeiture of the reserved room.
• The library's free Wi-Fi is accessible inside the Study Rooms.
• Please read Study Room/Charles Sword Meeting Room Policies before reserving.

Charles Sword Meeting Room

Location:  Central Library, Upper Level

The Sword Meeting Room is located upstairs in the southwest corner of the Central Library. 

• The Sword Meeting Room requires a minimum of 6 people and cannot exceed 14 people.
• The room may be reserved for a maximum of four (4) hours per group.
• The room reservation will be released if the patron does not arrive within ten (10) minutes of their reservation time.
• No commercial activity is permitted in the room which collects fees from others in your group.
• Snacks are permitted in the room.
• There is no telephone line in the room or A/V equipment of any kind.
• The room is located in a quiet area of the library, so groups must keep the noise to a minimum until inside the room with the door closed.
• The room may be used during Central library operating hours:
  • Monday – Thursday, 9AM – 9PM
  • Friday – Saturday, 9AM – 6PM
  • Sunday, 12PM – 5PM
• The room may be reserved a maximum of four (4) weeks in advance.
• Room reservations may only be made through the Administration office Mondays-Thursdays between 9AM-5PM, Fridays 9AM-4PM (in person or by telephone). Requests made outside of those hours will not be honored.
• Patrons must have a valid NBPL card on file before reserving the Sword Meeting Room.
  • Card must be obtained in advance.
  • Patron must provide valid picture identification with current address.
  • NBPL card is free to California residents and $10 for all others.
  • Student ID is acceptable for school age applicants under age 18. 
• The Reference staff will open the Sword Room only for patrons who reserved the room through the Admin staff.
• Walk-ins without a reservation will not be accepted and will be redirected by Reference staff to a Study Room.
• Entry to the room will not be permitted until at least (6) members of your group are present.
• IMPORTANT: Tables and chairs may be rearranged during your room use however all furniture must be returned to its original configuration before you vacate the room, which includes wooden chairs stacked on the cart.

Friends Meeting Room

Location:  Central Library, Lower Level

The Friends Meeting Room is only available to City of Newport Beach organizations or, upon approval, to non-profit organizations hosting lectures or workshops that are free and open public.  For information, contact the Administration Office at (949) 717-3801 or view our Library Meeting Room Policy.