The Key Tools for Research

The University of Michigan catalog, Mirlyn, indicates all the materials (books, journals, datafiles, CDs, etc.) that the University Library owns and is available from any Internet-accessible computer with a web browser. To find out what databases we have and to find citations to journal articles, use Search Tools.

About Library Collections

The University Library is comprised of several libraries, each with unique collections and materials. For example, the Hatcher Graduate Library contains humanities and social sciences collections, as well as government documents and maps. Other important libraries to graduate students include the Art, Architecture & Engineering Library, the Taubman Medical Library, the Fine Arts Library, the Shapiro Science Library, and the administratively separate Law Library and Kresge Business Library. MLibrary provides thousands of resources online, such as full-text journals, books and citation databases.

How to Borrow Library Materials

Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) with current appointments and Research Assistants with a GEO contract are eligible for faculty-level borrowing privileges. Doctorial candidates who have fulfilled requirements except the completion of the dissertation ("detached study") may have their library privileges extended. Details are posted at http://www.lib.umich.edu/borrowing-circulation. Loan periods vary by library, but typically graduate students may borrow books for an entire term. There is no limit on the number of books you may borrow. Please see the Kresge Business Library and the Law Library web sites for information on who is eligible to borrow from those collections.

How to Borrow Library Materials Not Owned by U-M

Because you are affiliated with U-M, you can borrow library materials not owned by the University Library system from other institutions. Currently registered U-M graduate students from U-M Ann Arbor, U-M Dearborn, and U-M Flint are eligible to borrow from any of these three libraries. In addition, Graduate Students from the three Michigan Research Libraries Triangle (MRLT) institutions, U-M, MSU, and WSU, can receive guest-borrowing privileges at any of the MRLT universities. A recent agreement now allows graduate students from CIC institutions (Big Ten schools plus University of Chicago) to receive borrowing privileges at other CIC institutions.

And, finally, you can make use of the Interlibrary Loan service which attempts to locate library materials from other institutions and borrows them on your behalf. Please note that Law School students should contact the Law Library for interlibrary services.

How to Get Help With Your Research

Most new graduate students can be overwhelmed by the complexity and the enormity of the University Library system. To help you prepare to use the services and resources of the University Library, we recommend that you review our subject- or discipline-based guides which can help you navigate the library system and our rich resources.

In addition to expert reference and research assistance at the various library locations, the University Library provides email and instant message reference services during most of the calendar year. But we especially want to encourage you to contact the librarian subject specialist to learn about the resources and research strategies available to your field of study. Contact the appropriate specialist for a consultation appointment, tailored to your information needs.

How to Connect to Library Resources from Off-campus

Off campus access to most library online resources is available to current U-M students, staff and faculty with a valid U-M login. See Off-Campus Access for details.

Technology Support

For assistance with technologies in support of your research, the Knowledge Navigation Center staff can assist you, either by appointment or drop-in. The Faculty Exploratory is another resource which offers workshops to Graduate Students, ranging from citation management tools to image and text scanning applications. The TechDeck, located on the first floor of the Shapiro Library, offers poster-size printing.

How to Get Copies of a Dissertation

Copies of all UM doctoral dissertatinos are available on microfilm and in print, and are listed in Mirlyn. Recent UM and Big 10 conference dissertations can also be viewed online. Dissertations from other institutions can usually be borrowed via the Interlibrary Loan service.

Hatcher Graduate Library Study Carrels

Doctoral candidates and faculty members may apply for a private study carrel in the Hatcher Graduate Library.