University Libraries
Kathy Irwin, Dean
The University Library in the Charles V. Park Library building offers a wide range of resources and services in support of CMU students, faculty, and staff. Its collections contain more than 800,000 print books, 900,000 electronic books, 200 databases, access to the full-text content of 150,000 journals, and more than 140,000 multimedia items. The library’s electronic collections are available 24/7, from both on campus and off campus, to all currently enrolled students. The University Library is a 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 Documents on Demand service.
More than just a collection of materials, the University Library provides a wide array of library services. Librarians are available to assist students, faculty, and staff with research projects and to help users effectively access information. Users may consult with a librarian in person, by email, chat, or telephone. The librarians also provide formal, course-specific library instruction to classes upon request by a faculty member.
More than 250 computer workstations, including both Windows and Macs, are available within the building, and wireless access is available for personal laptops and mobile devices. Printers, photocopiers, and scanners are also available. A variety of study spaces exist, including open study tables and carrels, individual study rooms, group study rooms, and collaborative study areas. During the fall and spring semesters, the main library is open more than 100 hours per week and an extended-hours study space is available 24/7. Building hours are shorter during break weeks and the summer semester.
Academic support services located in the Park Library include the Writing Center, the Mathematics Assistance Center, the Presentation Skills Center, the Statistical Consulting Center, Student Disability Services, the IT Help Desk, the Certified Testing Center, and the Curriculum and Instructional Support office.
Students enrolled in CMU’s online and off-campus programs have full access to the library’s services and resources. Librarians will provide research help and instruction to online and off campus users. Documents on Demand will deliver electronic and print materials to remote students upon request.
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 is home to CMU’s distinctive, historical special collections that document many aspects of life in Michigan and the Old Northwest Territory. The Clarke has also developed several other special collections, including the Lucile Clarke Memorial Children’s Library, one of the finest collections of children’s literature in the country; a large collection of Native American material documenting the Anishinaabe people; and the Central Michigan University archives. CMU students, faculty, and staff, as well as outside scholars and community members, are welcome to use the Clarke’s collections and services. The Clarke offers an array of services including walk-in assistance, research appointments, and research copies by request, and we welcome partnering with faculty on planning assignments and teaching with the Clarke’s materials. Among the Clarke’s signature programs is microfilming and digitizing historical Michigan newspapers and making them openly accessible online through the Digital Michigan Newspaper database. Because of the rarity of the physical collections, they are consulted only in the Clarke’s reading room. The Clarke is open to everyone from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm on weekdays. Contact us at clarke@cmich.edu or 989-774-3864 for more information.