The word carrel may also refer to a small, isolated "study room" in public libraries and on university campuses; [1] the room may have a lockable door, to which the user is granted the key on request. Carrels typically contain a desk (not necessarily one described as above), shelving and a lamp.

Study carrels are small desks placed throughout the library. You may have seen them in your visits to the library — they are typically arranged along the sides of each stacks level. Carrels are traditionally assigned to members of the senior class, but they are open library space and anybody may study in a carrel when it isn't occupied.