Outdoor Spaces Space Usage & Reservation Guidelines:

Discovery Courtyard & Discovery Lawn

Reservation Guidelines

  • Reservations must be made at least 1 month in advance. This is so we can get the needed approvals from Physical Plant and Environmental Health and Safety.
  • Priority for the UNCW Library Discovery Courtyard is given to UNCW Library-sponsored and co-sponsored events or events that have university-wide appeal. As an open-public space the event cannot have closed attendance. Non-UNCW organizations may not reserve the space without a UNCW partner.  
  • If you have an event in mind and would like to partner with UNCW Library:  
  • For UNCW groups – Please contact Outreach & Engagement Librarian, Chris Robinson at robinsoncl@uncw.edu.  
  • For the Wilmington Community - Please contact Dean Dr. Lucy Holman at holmanl@uncw.edu.  
  • Otherwise, to reserve the space, please contact the Library Building Operations Manager at rlfacility@uncw.edu.  
  • In the case of adverse weather, we will strongly advise making a reservation in one of our indoor spaces so you can move the event indoors. Please email RLfacility@uncw.edu if you have additional questions about weather/indoor spaces to reserve.

Usage Guidelines  

  •  Set Up and Break Down:  
  • For UNCW events that are not in partnership with UNCW Library, we do not provide event staff and request that groups be responsible for set-up and clean-up. Detailed guidelines for room use will be provided to you upon reservation.
  • The UNCW Library outdoor spaces each have a maximum capacity of 100 persons.  
  • Spaces must stay “As Is”, with only minor additions, such as tables or tents for catering or activities like cornhole. 
  • Catering:  
  • Any food or beverage that is brought into the area must be removed once the event is completed. Catering arrangements are made by the space reservee.
  • Hours:  
  • Library outdoor spaces are only reservable during Discovery Hall’s building hours. Event hours require additional approval by UNCW Library Building Operations to ensure no conflicts of noise level or other activity occur.
  • During intersession, summer, holidays and other variations in the academic calendar, hours may be limited.
  • See our Library Building hours.   

Reviewed August 2025.