Texas A&M University Libraries

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Texas A&M University Libraries
TAMU EvansAnnex.JPG
Evans Library and Library Annex
Country United States
Type Academic library
Established1930 [1]
Location College Station, Texas
Collection
Items collected books, journals, newspapers, magazines, sound and music recordings, maps, manuscripts, photographs, art collections, and films
Sizeca. 5 million items
Access and use
Population servedTexas A&M University Students, Faculty, and Staff, and outlying area
MembersTexas A&M University Students, Faculty, and Staff, and courtesy users from outlying area
Other information
Budget$38 million [2] [3]
DirectorJulie Mosbo Ballestro [4]
Website library.tamu.edu

The Texas A&M University Libraries support the teaching, research, and outreach missions of Texas A&M University through leadership in acquiring, managing, and delivering information in an environment that fosters learning and inquiry. In particular, Texas A&M is nationally and internationally recognized for many research collections, including:

Contents

Contents and Services

Contents

The libraries house over 4.5 million print volumes, including nearly 124,000 serial titles, and over 5.5 million microform items. Holdings also include approximately 250,000 maps in the Maps & GIS Library, and over 21,000 feet (6,400 m) of archival and manuscript collections in the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives, including approximately 170,000 printed volumes, over 50,000 photographs, over 200 original works of art, hundreds of individual artifacts, and other works on film, tape, CD, and other media. The Media & Reserves desk houses popular and academic films on DVD, VHS, and Blu-ray, popular and academic music on CDs, and textbooks for many classes on Course Reserve. [5] Patrons can suggest a purchase for new library acquisitions (popular or academic). The library also provides extensive online resources, including more than 12,500 electronic journals and newspapers, over 700 databases, and over 1 million eBooks. [6] Most databases and electronic books are available remotely to students in their dorms, faculty in their offices, or affiliated patrons conducting remote work. Most collections are included in LibCat, [7] the Libraries' catalog, or the Texas A&M Medical Sciences Library catalog. [8]

Services

The library provides a number of services to support the teaching and research needs of Texas A&M students and faculty. The Evans Library Annex and the West Campus Library are open 24/5 to meet the needs of students who increasingly stay late to do research and reading for their classes, as well as work on projects. The Library Annex opens at 9:00 AM on Sunday and closes at 9:00 PM on Friday, while West Campus Library opens at 1:00 PM on Sunday and stays open until 5:00 PM on Friday. Wireless access is available in every library, and laptop computers and netbooks can be checked out for use inside or outside of the library.

Get It For Me/Document Delivery

Get It For Me! [9] offers a campus-wide document delivery service which allows patrons to request items from either the Texas A&M Libraries or a lending library. The service will provide electronic copies of articles, journals, or book chapters (up to 50 pages) for students, staff, and faculty. Get It For Me! can also be used to request that staff retrieve a book owned by the Texas A&M Libraries and place for patron pick-up at any of the libraries in the system.

Time-saving search tools are available through SearchNow linking to the most appropriate full text of many books and journals available online. [10] LibCat and the MSL Catalog can be used to narrow down searches from topics to specific authors or books. The Libraries also have a list of popular databases available to students, staff, and faculty [11] for on- or off- campus use.

Subject Librarians

The libraries have a subject librarian [12] for each academic subject offered on campus to aid in beginning the research process specific to classes and reference in the respective field. Evans Library has a consultation area for an on-duty librarian to help incoming patrons begin the research process. Patrons can request to make an appointment with a librarian to discuss any research matters and/or general questions.

Social Outreach and Other Services

In recent years, the libraries have begun to reach out to patrons through social media, maintaining a TAMU Libraries page on Facebook, a Twitter feed for the TAMU Libraries, a TAMU Libraries YouTube Channel, among other social out reach options. Patrons are provided with a variety of ways for contacting the libraries, including messaging an on-duty librarian via text, chat, email, phone, and office hours. [13]

Libraries

Among the Texas A&M Libraries are:

Sterling C. Evans Library and Library Annex [14]

The general academic library containing the bulk of the library collections and services, including access services, interlibrary loan, consolidated reference, current periodicals and serials, course reserves, United States and Texas government documents, audiovisual and media services, reading and study rooms, and the Administrative Offices. The Maps & GIS Library [15] resides on the second floor of the Evans Library, as does the University Writing Center. [16] The Office of Graduate Studies houses the Thesis Office in room 612 on the sixth floor of Evans Library. [17] Both Evans Library and the Library Annex provide have public study areas, as well as group and individual study rooms [18] for students, staff, and faculty. The Library Annex is open 24/5 to meet the needs of undergraduate and graduate students.

Cushing Library CushingLibrary.JPG
Cushing Library

Cushing Memorial Library and Archives

Constructed in 1930 and named after Edward Benjamin Cushing, it was the first freestanding library facility on campus and is now home to special collections, rare books, and the University Archives. [19] The collections span recorded history, from Sumerian clay tablets dating from 2400 BCE to contemporary science fiction paperbacks. These collections comprise over 21,000 feet (6,400 m) of manuscript and archival material, approximately 170,000 printed volumes, over 50,000 photographs, over 200 original works of art, hundreds of individual artifacts, and other works on film, tape, CD, and other media. [20] Collection strengths and interests of the Cushing Library include military history, [21] science fiction, western Americana, 19th-century American prints and illustrators, modern politics, Texana, natural history, Africana, Hispanic studies, ornithology, nautical archaeology, 18th-century French history and culture, Mexican colonial history, the history of books and printing, the history of Texas A&M, and selected literary collections. Historic images and photographs of the Texas A&M community are available from the Historic Images Collection.

Medical Sciences Library Tamu MedicalSchool.JPG
Medical Sciences Library

Maps & GIS Library

The Map & GIS Library is located in Room 202B of the Sterling C. Evans Library. The collection consists of over 250,000 individual sheet maps, 3,000 atlases and gazetteers, and 1000 CD/DVDs, including worldwide coverage of topographic and geological maps, and GIS datasets. The Maps & GIS Library also houses the "Maps of Imaginary Places Collection," a collection of maps of fictional lands from literature, games, television, film, radio shows, and other media. The Library offers GIS assistance for those seeking data and support. They also provide assistance to all colleges and agencies associated with Texas A&M, as well as members of the local community. [22]

Medical Sciences Library

The Medical Sciences Library serves as the primary library for the undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in the colleges of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, the Institute for Biosciences & Technology, the School of Public Health, and graduate students in the Department of Health & Kinesiology. The Medical Sciences Library also serves as a resources library for Texas veterinarians and Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine alumni. In addition, the library contracts with the National Library of Medicine's Regional Medical Library to perform outreach services to area hospitals, clinics and health care providers in a 22 county area.

Policy Sciences and Economics Library

Located at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, the Policy Sciences & Economics Library provides library resources and services to the Department of Economics, the Department of Political Science, and the George Bush School of Government and Public Service.

Qatar Library

Texas A&M University has initiated a program of study in the emerging nation of Qatar. A focused and growing library supports the four engineering disciplines: chemical, electrical, mechanical, and petroleum and the liberal arts subject areas required for these degrees. In addition to managing information resources, the library provides service and support to a multinational student body and faculty researchers as well as the local community of oil/gas industry specialists. Built on the vast collection of the home campus library system, the library integrates a small but core collection of print books, journals and audiovisual materials with a large body of electronic resources.

Digital Library

Provides services that support the scholarly activities of faculty and students. It serves as a repository for research including undergraduate theses, graduate theses and dissertations, faculty publications and datasets, digital archives, course management and learning materials, digital media, and special collections.

West Campus Library TAMU wcl.JPG
West Campus Library

Business Library & Collaboration Commons

Providing library resources and services to the Mays Business School, Business Library & Collaboration Commons offers specialized collections of current periodicals, reference works, and monographs in business and agriculture. It houses the patent and trademark depository. In addition to its collections, the Business Library & Collaboration Commons is open 24/5 [23] to meet the needs of students who increasingly stay late to do research and reading for their classes, as well as work on projects.

5 Millionth Volume

On February 27, 2015 Texas A&M University Libraries added its five millionth volume. George R.R. Martin, author of A Game of Thrones , contributed a rare first edition of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. [24]

Related Research Articles

Texas A&M College of Geosciences is a college of Texas A&M University located in College Station, Texas. The college has six academic departments and programs, including Atmospheric Sciences, Geography, Geology & Geophysics, Oceanography, Environmental Programs in Geosciences, and the Water Management & Hydrological Science (WMHS) Program. In addition, the College hosts three Research Centers and Institutes: https://web.archive.org/web/20080522012111/http://www-gerg.tamu.edu/ Geochemical & Environmental Research Group (GERG), Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), and Texas Sea Grant College Program.

Mugar Memorial Library Library for Boston University in the United States

The Mugar Memorial Library is the primary library for study, teaching, and research in the humanities and social sciences for Boston University. It was opened in 1966. Stephen P. Mugar, an Armenian immigrant who was successful in the grocery business, provided the naming gift to commemorate his parents. Mugar's entrance carries an inscription from Stephen honoring his parents.

In coming to America from Armenia my parents opened the door of Freedom to me. America's public schools & libraries opened my eyes to the unlimited opportunity in this great land, as well as the privileges and obligations of citizenship. May this library serve over the years as a similar inspiration to all who use it. In memory of my father and mother Sarkis and Vosgitel Mugar. By their grateful son

– Stephen P. Mugar –

Mary J. Booth Library, named after University Librarian Mary Josephine Booth, serves the students, faculty and staff of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

Campus of Texas A&M University

The campus of Texas A&M University, also known as Aggieland, is situated in College Station, Texas, United States. Texas A&M is centrally located within 200 miles (320 km) of three of the 10 largest cities in the United States and 75% of the Texas and Louisiana populations. Aggieland's major roadway is State Highway 6, and several smaller state highways and Farm to Market Roads connect the area to larger highways such as Interstate 45.

Georgia Tech Library

The Georgia Tech Library is an academic library that serves the needs of students, faculty, and staff at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The library consists of the S. Price Gilbert Memorial Library and Dorothy M. Crosland Tower. In addition, the library is connected to and manages the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.

University of Western Australia Library Library at the University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) Library consists of five library sites both on and within walking distance of the campus. The Library is an integral part of the UWA student experience and provides a wide range of services, facilities and resources to both students and staff and the community including teaching, learning and research support, student IT support, and individual and collaborative learning spaces.

The Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the largest research library in the state of Hawaii. The Library serves as a key resource for the flagship Manoa campus as well as the other University of Hawaii system campuses.

Bracken Library

The Alexander M. Bracken Library is the main library on the campus of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Opened in September 1975 and designed by Walter Scholer and Associates and the Perkins and Will Partnership of Chicago, the 320,000-square-foot facility is located in the geographic center of the Ball State University campus and is distinguishable for its unique, Brutalist architecture.

University of Pretoria Library Services serves the students, faculty and researchers of the University of Pretoria. The library of the University of Pretoria is regarded as one of the top university libraries in South Africa. It provides a comprehensive information service for the university's approximately 38 161 undergraduate students, 16 805 postgraduates and 8 843 full-time staff members.

University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP) Albertson Center for Learning Resources is a public academic library located on the UWSP campus in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It services UWSP students, faculty, and citizens of the city.

The University of North Texas Libraries is an American academic research library system that serves the constituent colleges and schools of University of North Texas in Denton. The phrase "University of North Texas Libraries" encompasses three aspects: The library collections as a whole and its organizational structure; The physical facilities and digital platform that house the collections; and certain self-contained collections of substantial size that warrant the name "Library"—the Music Library and the Digital Libraries (collections), for example, are housed in Willis Library.

Princeton University Library Main library system of Princeton University

Princeton University Library is the main library system of Princeton University. With holdings of more than 7 million books, 6 million microforms, and 48,000 linear feet of manuscripts, it is among the largest libraries in the world by number of volumes. The main headquarters of the university system is the Harvey S. Firestone Memorial Library building, named after tire magnate Harvey Firestone. Additionally, Princeton is part of the Research Collections and Preservation Consortium (ReCAP) along with Columbia Libraries, Harvard Library and New York Public Library.

A distance education librarian or distance learning librarian is a specialized academic librarian whose primary duties involve serving the information needs of distance education students, faculty, and staff. This position typically involves coordinating the duties of many librarians and library staff to ensure adequate access to library resources for those who enroll in and teach distance education courses.

The Branner Earth Sciences Library and Map Collections is the main library supporting the Stanford University School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences on the Stanford University campus and part of Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (SULAIR). It was named after John Casper Branner, first professor of geology and former president of Stanford University, whose book collection was the initial core of the library. Branner Library contains more than 125,000 volumes, including 2000 serial titles, most of which are related to the earth and environmental sciences. The library also houses a collection of over 270,000 sheet maps and the Branner GIS facilities and services.

Wichita State University Libraries

Wichita State University Libraries are a research library system with holdings of more than 2 million volumes, 236 databases and more than 70,000 journal subscriptions. Located on the University's main campus in Wichita, Kansas University Libraries serve the approximately 15,000 enrolled students of Wichita State University (WSU) while also providing services to the surrounding community. University Libraries serves as a regional United States Federal Government Documents Depository, a State of Kansas Government Documents Depository, and is the State of Kansas only Patents and Trademarks Library. University Libraries Special Collections and University Archives contains numerous rare books and incunabula, historical manuscripts collections and maps, photographic archives documenting Kansas history, and hosts the Wichita Photo Archives.

University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries

The University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries is the academic library of The University of Texas at San Antonio, a state research university in San Antonio, Texas, United States. UTSA Libraries consists of the John Peace Library (JPL) on the Main Campus, the Downtown Library, and the Applied Engineering and Technology (AET) Library. The libraries provide students and faculty with a comprehensive access to information as well as spaces for active learning, teaching, and interdisciplinary scholarship.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign University Library

The University Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is the network of libraries, including both physical and virtual library spaces, which serves the University's students, faculty, and staff, as well as scholars and researchers worldwide. The University Library continues to evolve to serve the needs of the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign campus.

University of South Florida Tampa Library

The University of South Florida Tampa Library is the main research library for the University of South Florida. Housing over 1.3 million books, academic journals and electronic resources, including 52,000 e-journal subscriptions, 443,000 e-books, and over 800 databases, the library has more than 2 million visitors each year. The library offers tutoring and writing services, laptops, a career resource center, and course reserves. The facility houses several special and digital collections, including literature, oral histories, photographs, artifacts, and the university archives. The current Dean of USF Libraries is Todd Chavez.

The University of Manitoba Libraries (UML) is the academic library system for the University of Manitoba. UML is made up of over a dozen libraries across two campuses—the main campus and the urban, health sciences campus (Bannatyne)—as well as one virtual library, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Virtual Library. It is also a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities.

The University of Alberta Library is the library system of the University of Alberta.

References

  1. Cushings Building History Archived 2012-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
  2. User and Collection Statistics Archived 2013-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ARL Analytics
  4. "Organizational Chart".
  5. Media & Reserves Collections Archived 2013-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Patron and Collection Statistics Archived 2013-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "LibCat".
  8. "MSL Catalog".
  9. Get It For Me
  10. Library Main Page
  11. Popular Databases [ permanent dead link ]
  12. Subject Librarians Archived 2013-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  13. "Ask The Libraries". Archived from the original on 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
  14. Sterling C. Evans Library and Library Annex
  15. MAPS & GIS Library Archived 2013-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  16. "Texas A&M University Writing Center". Archived from the original on 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  17. Office of Graduate Studies
  18. Texas A&M University Libraries General Information
  19. Cushings Building History
  20. User and Collection Statistics
  21. Military History
  22. Maps & GIS Library
  23. Texas A&M University Libraries General Information
  24. “Texas A & M Libraries Receives 5 Millionth Volume, A First Edition of The Hobbit.” Texas A&M Today.February 27, 2015. http://today.tamu.edu/2015/02/27/texas-am-libraries-receives-five-millionth-volume-a-first-edition-of-the-hobbit/