2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin > Student Support Services and Resources > Academic Services and Resources > University Libraries

University Libraries

Kathy Irwin, Dean

The University Library in the Charles V. Park Library building offers a broad range of collections and services for CMU students, faculty, and staff. Its collections contain more than 1,000,000 books and other print items, 100,000 electronic books, 125 electronic periodical article databases, electronic access to the full-text content of more than 70,000 journals, and more than 15,000 multimedia items. Electronic collections are accessible around the clock, on or off campus, at library.cmich.edu. Additionally, the Park Library is a selective federal and state government document depository library, providing access to items published by the United States Government and the State of Michigan. Items not owned by the library may be obtained from other institutions through the library’s interlibrary loan service, Documents on Demand.

More than just a collection of materials, the University Library provides a wide array of library services and study spaces. Librarians are available to assist students, faculty, and staff with research projects and to help users effectively access library resources. Users may consult with a librarian in person on the second floor of the library and also by email, chat, and telephone. The librarians also provide formal, course-specific library instruction to classes upon request by a faculty member.

Over 300 computer workstations (both Windows and Macs) are available within the building, and wireless access is available for laptops and mobile devices. Printers, photocopiers and scanners are also available. Students can check out study rooms for individual and group study; some rooms include multimedia equipment. The building is open nearly 100 hours/week, and an extended-hours study room offers additional hours of study space.

Several academic support services are located in the library: the Writing Center, the Mathematics Assistance Center, the Statistical Consulting Center, Student Disabilities Services, the Test Proctoring Center, and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Students enrolled in CMU’s online or off-campus programs have full access to the CMU Libraries’ services and resources, whether enrolled at an off campus center or through an online class. The library’s Documents on Demand office will deliver electronic copies of journal articles and book chapters, as well as copies of print books, to students upon request. There is no charge for this service, and electronic requests are typically filled within 24 hours.

Hours of service are posted in the library, at the entrances, and online at https://www.cmich.edu/library/hours/. For more information about the library, visit us online at library.cmich.edu or call 989-774-1100.

Clarke Historical Library

The Clarke Historical Library collects print and manuscript items regarding Michigan and the Old Northwest Territory. The Library’s holdings are extensive. Over 76,000 printed items, 3,570 manuscript collections, 11,000 reels of microfilm, 16,000 visual images, and 2,300 maps document all aspects of life in Michigan. In addition to this main area of concern, the Clarke Historical Library has also developed a variety of “special” collections. These include the Lucile Clarke Memorial Children’s Library, one of the finest collections of children’s literature in the country, the Class of 1967 Presidential Campaign Biographies collection, Native American material, the Central Michigan University archives, and the Wilbert Wright Collection of Africana and Afro-Americana. Because of the uniqueness of much of the material in the Clarke Historical Library, items in the Library are not available for circulation but must be consulted in the Clarke Historical Library’s reading room located in 142 Park Library. Hours of service are posted, but patrons may dial 774-3352 for Library hours or 774-3864 for reference assistance.

The Clarke Historical Library was established in 1954 with the gift of 1,575 volumes from Dr. Norman E. Clarke Sr., who received his bachelor’s degree from Central in 1920. In subsequent years Dr. Clarke Sr. supported the Library through the donation of a large number of books, the establishment of the Lucile M. Clarke Memorial Children’s Library, named in honor of his first wife, and the creation of an endowment to partially underwrite the Library’s ongoing needs. Dr. Clarke Sr. died in 1984 but his family continues to be actively engaged in the Library’s work.