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Listed below are essential online library services and resources to help undergraduates with alternative learning during the campus closure.
As updated on March 16, 2020 by President Joan Gabel and in response to the challenges of COVID-19, all library buildings are closed indefinitely. This means:
- All libraries are closed. There is no access to physical books or materials.
- Do you have books checked out? You can keep your materials, even if they are overdue. We have extended due dates and we are not charging fines! This includes interlibrary loans. Contact us if you have specific questions.
The Libraries website, staff, services, and resources are here to help you!
Find sources for research papers and projects from our website
Searching our website gives you access to millions of online journals, magazines, newspapers, ebooks, streaming videos and more. Access all our online services and collections as you do research remotely from lib.umn.edu.
Access online articles from anywhere in the world
You should be able to get to most articles directly from:
- Our website
- Our article databases
- Follow the guide for getting full-text journal articles to learn how to download articles found in the Libraries search. However, if you are having trouble getting to full text you can send us an email and we can help.
Tip: If you use Google Scholar, be sure you connect to the full text of articles from U Libraries.
Can I chat with the Libraries? Can I ask anything?
- Yes, you can get questions about research answered 24/7. Actual librarians are available to help you, day or night!
Can I make a virtual or zoom consultation?
- Make a 30-minute appointment with a Peer Research Consultant (student library tutors to help you with research).
- Set up a consultation with a librarian. Fill out the request form and we will work with you to set up a time to meet.
- Need help putting together your video? How do you facilitate a group video project over Zoom? How do you make a video with the technology that you have? Get feedback on your storyboard or learn how to edit video from a library media specialist! Set up an appointment.
- Make an online appointment or drop in with a peer tutor on 200+ courses. You can view tutor’s schedules, join an online drop-in session, or schedule an online appointment.
Tips for staying on track (and getting stuff done)
If you have questions or are feeling unsure, please reach out even if it’s a little thing. All over campus there are professors, instructors, advisors, and librarians available. We can help look up titles, gather research, help with strategies. There's a lot of staff connected online in various ways.
- Review these tips for online learning from Success.umn.edu.
- Be sure to take notes as you watch online lectures and Zooms. Yes, you can go back and watch again but taking notes the first time is more efficient. Learn about taking better notes from Effective U.
- Work to be efficient! Learn to level up on your concentration and memory from Effective U.
- Make a plan to keep yourself on schedule and keep up with work. This might be doing work during your same schedule or coming up with an alternative schedule. Try to maximize your work time for when you can be most efficient and effective (early in the morning? early evening?). Learn more from Effective U on managing your time.
- Read take a study break or be part of One Book | One Minnesota common reading (even if you are no longer geographically located in Minnesota).
Use Library Research Guides to start your research
- We have web pages with the best tools for your research based on topics, subjects or your specific courses.
- If you need special online sources, we have guides about finding by types like primary sources or archival sources.
Try the Assignment Calculator
- Enter your due dates into the Assignment Calculator. It will give you the research and writing steps with links to help. Sign up for text message reminders, too.
Online videos and tutorials
If you want more on how to find high-quality sources try some of these:
- Choosing a research paper topic (4 mins)
- What Is a library database and why should I use one? (3 mins)
- What does it mean to be a scholarly source? (4 mins)
- How scholarly research gets published in peer-reviewed journals and where to find it all (3 mins)
- Creating an effective search strategy (online tutorial)
- What are citations? (online tutorial)
- Intro to Library Research (online tutorial)
Explore all of the Effective U tutorials.
