The UMD campus has extended its spring break to March 17 and will move courses online until April 1. We remain open to the public and encourage you to use your best judgment and take necessary precautions. Our goal is to help you receive the resources and services you need to be successful during this challenging time.
Below are some of the questions you might be thinking about. We welcome additional inquiries via email or phone.
General Questions
Is the library still open?
Beginning March 16, the Library is suspending face-to-face services and the building will not be available to the public. Check back here for further updates.
Renewals & Fines
The due date for materials currently checked out from any University of Minnesota library with a loan periods of two weeks or longer has been extended indefinitely. This change will be in place until the University resumes normal class schedules. This suspends fines for late materials from being added to users accounts.
What about library events?
We will re-evaluate upcoming events based on guidance by the UMD campus and the University of Minnesota system. Check our home page for updates and cancellations of events.
How can I get research help while classes are online only?
Librarians provide online help with your research, including developing keywords, choosing a place to search, and searching for sources. Contact your subject liaison librarian via email or phone, or make an appointment for a consultation via Zoom/Google Hangouts.
You can also contact our AskUs Service 24/7.
I need a book…
While classes are not meeting in person, the library is open to the public and students, staff and faculty can use our services. You can use our Library Catalog to find a title and have it pulled from the shelves for you through our Get It service. You can choose to pick up items at any UM campus so students in the Twin Cities can pick up materials at Wilson, Walter, or MacGrath.
If we don’t have the book you need, you can submit an Interlibrary Loan request. Please be aware that interlibrary loan service will be limited, especially for items that are only available as physical copies. We will attempt to fulfill your request but anticipate that receipt of items will take longer than usual.
I need an article...
You can explore our listing of databases and indexes. The listing can be sorted into subject-specific categories.
You can also use the Articles & Books tab of the Library webpage to search our extensive collection of articles, ebooks, and government documents.
If we don’t have the article you need, you can submit an interlibrary loan request.
For Faculty
I want to include library/information literacy instruction in my course. Can this be done virtually?
Yes! Contact your liaison librarian to make a plan together.
Faculty who are interested in incorporating library resources into their online courses should consult our Library Course Page webpage which has instructions and sources for assistance. Faculty can also consult our Online Resource Research Guide.
Does the library have an ebook of my textbook?
The Library may have purchased a digital copy of your textbook:
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Check our e-textbook listing.
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Does your course have a Canvas page? You can visit the Library Course Pages link in Canvas. If a title required for your course has been purchased it will be available via the Library Course Pages link located in the left-hand navigation menu.
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Search our library catalog for the title.
Faculty who are interested in requesting the Library purchase an e-book title can reach out to their subject liaison librarian.
Library Course Pages in Canvas
In Spring 2020, the Kathryn A. Martin Library launched the Library Course Pages initiative. This project integrated the Libraries Research and Subject Guides and Course Reserves into every Canvas course. You can find the link in the left-hand navigation pane of Canvas.
Research and Subject Guides are library-curated resources and guidance for diving into research for a research project or major.
What about copyright and fair use?
Instructors who have questions and concerns about fair use in online courses have a couple of options…
Consult our Fair Use guide developed by the University of Minnesota Libraries
Reach out to our Scholarly Communications Librarian, Jodi Carlson Grebinoski ([email protected]; 218-726-7880)
What did we miss in our FAQ?
The Kathryn A. Martin Library strives to support our entire community during this challenging time. This FAQ may not contain all questions and answers that you are pondering on. Please contact us via phone at 218-726-8102 or email us at [email protected]