The University Library consists of many libraries and vast collections, but the best place to start your research is at the Shapiro Undergraduate Library. Most undergraduate library research consists of finding books and finding journal articles. To find what books (and journals subscriptions, datafiles, CDs, etc.) that the University Library owns, connect to the library catalog, Mirlyn. To find out what databases we have and to find citations to scholarly articles, use Search Tools.

See the Shapiro Undergraduate Library's How Do I: Quick Answers to Common Questions for additional information.

Important Quick Links:

• Library Hours
• Mirlyn, the catalog of the University of Michigan
• Find Databases (Search Tools)
• Course Reserves
   

How to Check Out Library Materials:

All undergraduates need a MCard to borrow materials from the University Library locations. Books from the Shapiro Undergraduate Library can be checked out for three weeks and can be "renewed" (checked out again) once. There is no limit on the number of books you may borrow.

How to Get Course Reserves:

See Course Reserves for details.

How to Get Library Materials Not Available at U-M:

Because you are affiliated with U-M, you can borrow library materials not owned by the University Library system from other institutions. You can make use of the Interlibrary Loan service which attempts to locate library materials from other institutions and borrows them on your behalf.

How to Get Help With Your Research:

To help you prepare to use the services and resources of the University Library, we recommend that you review our online research tutorial called Searchpath. This research tutorial will give you a good foundation for finding books and articles. In addition, many libraries on campus have important FAQs and subject- or discipline-based guides which can help you navigate the library system and our rich resources. See the Shapiro Undergraduate Library's Assignment Assistant and Citation Style Guides for more helpful information.

In addition to expert reference and research assistance at the various library locations, the University Library provides email and instant message reference services throughout the calendar year. The Ask a Librarian services are detailed at http://beta.lib.umich.edu/ask/. But we especially want to encourage undergraduate students to talk to with our expertly trained reference staff at the reference desk.

How to Connect to Library Resources from Off-campus:

Off campus access to library electronic resources is available to currently enrolled U-M undergraduate students with a valid U-M login. See Off-Campus Access for details.

Library Computing Information:

Information on computer access, printing, and wireless in University Library locations is available on the Computing at the Library page.

How to Get Copies of Library Materials:

The libraries use a photocopy debit card in all photocopiers. Information on the University Library photocopy system is available on the copy services page.

How to Print in the Library:

All printing done on the printers at the University Libraries is either charged to your ITCS Basic Computing Account or is paid for using the photocopy debit card mentioned above. For information on printing in campus computing labs see http://www.umich.edu/~sites/printing.

Where the Study Spaces Are:

See the study spaces page for details.