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Fifth Floor

John Adams Building, Fifth Floor

Fifth Floor Overview

The building is rectangular. The west side of the building is parallel to 2nd St SE. The east side of the building is parallel to 3rd St SE. The Fifth Floor is split into east and west sides connected by the Science & Business Reading Room and offices along the perimeter of the building. There are elevators, stairs, and restrooms accessible from both the east and west sides of the building.

The directions to locations of interest assume you are in the Fifth Floor West Foyer, facing the elevators. In the directions below, symbols are placed after certain location names to indicate closure and restriction updates.

These directions were last updated August 2024.

Entrances and Exits

The Fifth Floor does not have its own entrance or exit from the exterior of the building. Please refer to the Ground Floor Plan directions to locate the Main Entrance and Exit. There are four elevators on the north and south sides of the building and four staircases that grant access to the Fifth Floor. Please refer to the Elevators and Stairs section for directions to exit the Fifth Floor.

Reader Card Registration

Navigation to Reader Card Registration

Reader Card Registration is located in the Jefferson Building and the Madison Memorial Building. Please refer to Maps & Floor Plans to locate the Jefferson Building and Madison Memorial Building floor plans.

Restrooms

The Men’s and Women’s Restrooms are located in the north and south corners of the building inside the corner stairwells on each floor. All restrooms on the Fifth Floor are wheelchair accessible.

Northwest Women’s Restroom [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access] [ Women’s]

The Northwest Women’s Restroom is located on the Fifth Floor on the west side of the building. It is near the hallway just outside the Science & Business Reading Room.

Directions to Northwest Women’s Restroom

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer. The entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room is straight ahead.
  2. Turn left into the hallway and proceed forward. When the hallway reaches an set of metal double doors, turn right.
  3. The Northwest Women’s Restroom is the first door on the right.

Southwest Men’s Restroom [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access] [ Men’s]

The Southwest Men’s Restroom is located on the Fifth Floor on the west side of the building. It is near the hallway just outside the Science & Business Reading Room.

Directions to Southwest Men’s Restroom

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer. The entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room is straight ahead.
  2. Turn right into the hallway and proceed forward. When the hallway reaches an set of metal double doors, turn left.
  3. The Southwest Men’s Restroom is the first door on the left.

Northeast Men’s Restroom [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access] [ Men’s]

The Northeast Men’s Restroom is located on the Fifth Floor on the east side of the building. It is near the hallway just outside the entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room.

Directions to Northeast Men’s Restroom

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer. The entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room is straight ahead.
  2. Continue forward and pass through the storage room (LA 522).
  3. After exiting the storage room (LA 522), the Northeast Men’s Restroom is the first door on the right.

Southeast Women’s Restroom [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access] [ Women’s]

The Southeast Women’s Restroom is located on the Fifth Floor on the east side of the building. It is near the hallway just outside the entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room.

Directions to Southwest Women’s Restroom

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer. The entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room is straight ahead.
  2. Turn left into the hallway and proceed forward. When the hallway reaches an set of metal double doors, turn right.
  3. Continue forward and pass through the storage room (LA 522).
  4. After exiting the storage room (LA 522), proceed forward and take the first right before the stairs to staff offices.
  5. Proceed forward down the hallway, passing the entrance to the Science & Business Reading room on your right. When the hallway reaches an set of metal double doors, turn right.
  6. The Southeast Women’s Restroom is the first door on the right.

Elevators and Stairs

Elevators and stairs are located on each floor of the building. The elevators are located in the East Foyer and West Foyer. Access to the Cellar Floor is available using the elevators in the West Foyer. The stairs are located just outside the West Foyer and East Foyer on each floor.

The directions to the Second Floor Elevators and Stairs assume you are in the Fifth Floor West Foyer, facing the elevators.

West Elevators [Elevator]

West Elevators are located on the west side of the building in the West Foyer on each floor. There are two elevators on either side of the hallway that leads to the Science & Business Reading Room. After pressing the button to call an elevator, one of the four elevators will audibly ding and display a green light before opening.

Directions to West Elevators

  1. Stand in the West Foyer with your back to the windows. The West Elevators are along the wall ahead on either side of the entrance to the hallway between the West Foyer and Science & Business Reading Room. Take a slight right or left to navigate to the West Elevators.

Northwest Stairs [Stairs]

The Northwest Stairs are located on each floor in the west side of the building, just outside the West Foyer.

Directions to Northwest Stairs

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer. The entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room is straight ahead.
  2. Turn left into the hallway and proceed forward. The entrance to the Northwest Stairs is the metal door on the left side of the hallway.

Southwest Stairs [Stairs]

The Southwest Stairs are located on each floor in the west side of the building, just outside the West Foyer.

Directions to Southwest Stairs

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer. The entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room is straight ahead.
  2. Turn left into the hallway and proceed forward. The entrance to the Northwest Stairs is the metal door on the right side of the hallway.

East Elevators [Elevator]

East Elevators are located on the east side of the building in the East Foyer on each floor. There are two elevators on either side of the hallway that leads to the Science & Business Reading Room. After pressing the button to call an elevator, one of the four elevators will audibly ding and display a green light before opening.

Directions to East Elevators

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer. The entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room is straight ahead.
  2. Turn left into the hallway and proceed forward. When the hallway reaches a set of metal double doors, turn right.
  3. Continue forward and pass through a storage room.
  4. After exiting the storage room, proceed forward and take the first right before the stairs to staff offices.
  5. Proceed forward down the hallway and turn left to face away from the entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room.
  6. Continue forward to the end of the hallway where it opens into the East Foyer.
  7. Turn left or right immediately when the hallway opens into the East Foyer. The East Elevators are on either side of the entrance to the hallway between the East Foyer and West Foyer.

Northeast Stairs [Stairs]

The Northeast Stairs are located on each floor in the east side of the building, just outside the East Foyer.

Directions to Northeast Stairs

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer. The entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room is straight ahead.
  2. Turn left into the hallway and proceed forward. When the hallway reaches a set of metal double doors, turn right.
  3. Continue forward and pass through the storage room (LA 522).
  4. After exiting the storage room (LA 522), proceed forward and take the first right before the stairs to staff offices.
  5. Proceed forward. The entrance to the Northeast Stairs is the metal door on the left side of the hallway.

Southeast Stairs [Stairs]

The Southeast Stairs are located on each floor in the east side of the building, just outside the East Foyer.

Directions to Southeast Stairs

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer. The entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room is straight ahead.
  2. Turn left into the hallway and proceed forward. When the hallway reaches a set of metal double doors, turn right.
  3. Continue forward through the storage room.
  4. After exiting the storage room, proceed forward and take the first right. This is before the stairs to staff offices.
  5. Proceed forward down the hallway, passing the entrance to the Science & Business Reading room on your right. The entrance to the Southeast Stairs is the metal door on the left side of the hallway.

Researcher and Staff Locations of Interest

Science & Business Reading Room [Researchers Researcher] [ Wi-Fi]

The Science & Business Reading Room is located in the center of the building. Please note that coats and bags will need to be stored in provided lockers with assistance from staff.

Directions to Science & Business Reading Room

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer.
  2. The Science & Business Reading Room is located straight ahead. You will need to pass through a book detector on the left side of the entrance. Please follow all instructions from security personnel.

Computer Lab [Researchers Researcher] [ Wi-Fi]

The Computer Lab is located inside the Science & Business Reading Room towards the east side of the building. Please note that coats and bags will need to be stored in provided lockers with assistance from staff.

Directions to Computer Lab

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer.
  2. The Science & Business Reading Room is located straight ahead. You will need to pass through a book detector on the left side of the entrance. Please follow all instructions from security personnel.
  3. Proceed forward to reach the Science & Business Reference Desk. Turn left or right to navigate around the Reference, stopping when the Reference Desk is behind you.
  4. Proceed forward into the Computer Lab directly ahead on the east side of the room.

Book Service Desk [Researchers Researcher] [ Wi-Fi]

The Book Service Desk is located inside the Science & Business Reading Room towards the south side of the building. Please note that coats and bags will need to be stored in provided lockers with assistance from staff.

Directions to Book Service Desk

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer.
  2. The Science & Business Reading Room is located straight ahead. You will need to pass through a book detector on the left side of the entrance. Please follow all instructions from security personnel.
  3. After passing through security, turn right to reach a wooden table. Turn left and navigate forward along the long side of the table.
  4. Turn right and proceed forward. Continue through two sets of double doors.
  5. After passing through the second set of double doors, immediately turn left. The Book Services Desk will be directly in front of you.

Federal Research Division (LA 5281) [Researchers Researcher]

The Federal Research Division (LA 5281 is located on the fifth floor on the northwest corner of the building.

Directions to the Federal Research Division (LA 5281)

  1. Stand in the West Foyer facing the elevators. Proceed forward through the foyer. The entrance to the Science & Business Reading Room is straight ahead.
  2. Turn left into the hallway and proceed forward. When the hallway reaches a set of metal double doors, turn left.
  3. Continue to the end of the hallway and turn right.
  4. Proceed forward. The Federal Research Division (LA 5281) will be on your left.