LISTICLE: Understanding all your university library offers
Many often see their local or university library as a place that just offers books to check out. However, there is so much more UHCL’s Alfred R. Neumann Library offers.
1.) Research Assistance
The library offers nearly 300 databases full of resources including articles, dissertations, ebooks and videos essential to academic research. The library also offers free interlibrary loan services to acquire articles and books from other libraries in the University of Houston system.
Students also have access to free expert research help for every step in the research process, from developing one’s research question to finding and evaluating resources.
“Users can get immediate in-person or online help, or schedule a research consultation in advance for a private or small group help session,” said Vivian McClendon, executive director of Alfred R. Neumann Library. “What better way to stop writer’s block?!”
The library also offers classroom library instruction to develop research skills and use specific course-related resources. The library’s Scholarly Communications office is devoted to assisting faculty and graduate student researchers as well as providing guidance on format checks for final thesis submissions.
2.) Technology resources
The library grants students an array of technological resources. These include the Computer lab. The lab is nestled in the heart of the library where students can have the resources, research support and the technology tools all in one place
“[There are also] calculators for check out, and some study rooms have monitors and zoom capacity,” McClendon said. “Try casting wirelessly from your cell phone and building a project together!”
3.) Spaces for class preparation
The Neumann Library is made up of multiple collaborative and quiet study areas with a variety of furnishings. These areas are designed to allow students the opportunity to select or create their desired learning environment. Features of these furnishings include adjustable height tables and private modern study pods.
Students are encouraged to use the library’s study rooms, which can be reserved in advance online. There are also Presentation Practice Rooms that allow students to rehearse presentations in a small classroom environment.
4.) Special Events
The library hosts monthly book displays for holidays (such as blind date with a book for Valentine’s Day and collections of books by Black authors for Black History Month). Additionally, the library hosts its popular Study PAWS events during midterms and finals weeks. These events are an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to pet dogs and de-stress during midterms and final exams.
5.) UHCL and NASA JSC Archives:
Students with a love for history or those searching for primary sources can utilize the library’s archives. The archives consist of records, photographs, publications, periodicals, oral histories, broadsides and subject files on a variety of topics.
“We collect documents, maps, photos and other materials telling the story of Johnson Space Center, Human Space Flight, the University of Houston Clear Lake, and the Clear Lake area [such as] Seabrook [and] El Lago,” McClendon said.
The archives provide students with historical documents that serve multiple purposes.
“UHCL archives and special collections holds not just collections from the university,” said Matthew Peek, associate director of the archives. “A lot of our materials cover women’s history, voter registration and documents how the university served underrepresented groups since its opening. It has what students need for those working on papers and research. Having all this history here freely can help students learn the history of groups on campus they are part of.”
6.) Extended reality labs to arrive this fall
The library will open its new extended reality (XR) labs in the fall. These labs provide students with the chance to work with a variety of virtual, augmented and mixed reality technologies.
“Tours will begin in October of the new XR lab, where students can experience 3D storytelling, see the inside of a microscopic cell, or walk on the bottom of the ocean – even test their own coding designs if they are taking XR coding classes,” McClendon said.
