Strategic Priorities for the University Libraries

The Libraries have recently completed a planning process to ensure that resources are aligned to meet the changing needs of our users.

The budget is not the only part of the landscape to shift in recent years. Digital content abounds, new forms of information access are emerging, and tools for communication and exchange are multiplying rapidly. As this digital context changes how faculty and students discover and manage their research resources, create new knowledge, and share their work, the Libraries are challenged to support them throughout the overlapping and iterative phases of the knowledge lifecycle.

Read more about these strategic priorities, or download the full report (830kb PDF).

Posted by Marlo Welshons at 2:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While the University of Minnesota Libraries will be closed along with the rest of the campus from December 24, 2010 through January 2, 2011, some services will continue to be available. These include:

• E-resources, including article databases and online journals, will remain available to the campus community through the Libraries website.
• Users will be able to search for and request print materials in the MNCAT catalog during the closure, however GetIt and recall requests will not be processed until January 3.
• Although due dates have been set to not fall within the closure period, users will be able to view their account and renew materials using the "My Account" feature.
• Books from any U library can be returned at book drops in Magrath, Walter, and Wilson.
• Chat reference will be available, but service will be provided by staff from the national consortium of which the Libraries is a member.
• Because the Academic Health Center will keep certain clinics open during the closure period, the Bio-Med Library will have staff available to respond to questions coming in through the MedRef email service.

Posted by Marlo Welshons at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Need more time and space to study as the semester winds down? Select library locations will have extended hours to help you get through finals week.

Bio-Med
Where: A portion of the 2nd floor in the Bio-Medical Library in Diehl Hall
When: Open 24/7 from December 8 until 11:00 p.m. on December 22
What's Available: study tables, group study rooms, public computers, wireless for laptops, self-service printer, self-service photocopier, print Reference collection
What's Not Available: circulation, reserve, reference, or IT support

Magrath
Where: Study area adjacent to the main Magrath entrance
When: Extended hours from December 16 through December 22: 7:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. Monday - Thursday; 7:00 p.m. - midnight Friday; 10:00 a.m. - midnight on Saturday; and noon - 2:00 a.m. on Sunday.
What's Available: study space
What's Not Available: circulation, reserve, reference, or IT support

Walter
Where: 2nd floor Great Hall
When: Open 24/7 from December 16 until 6:00 p.m. on December 22
What's Available: study space, the copy machines, and Value Port
What's Not Available: access to collections, services or Library workstations
Don't Miss: Study break on Wednesday, December 15th, 7:00pm - 7:30pm in the 1st Floor Lobby. Free soda and cookies, free books for fun reading over Winter Break, snacks from the Wise Owl Cafe, and the chance to win prizes in our trivia challenge.

Wilson
Where: Basement level
When: Open 24/7 from December 16 until 6:00 p.m. on December 22
What's Available: public computers, self-service printing and copying, microfilm scanners, group study rooms, individual study tables; limited access to collections between midnight and 8:00 a.m.
What's Not Available: circulation, reserve, reference, or IT support

Posted by Marlo Welshons at 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)