Murphy Library News

How Student Funding Enhances Resources, Expands Hours, and Supports UWL Research

By John Jax

Murphy Library is critical to students’ academic success. Both undergraduate and graduate students rely on authoritative and scholarly information provided by Murphy Library, accessed either in-person or available electronically at any time. With the growing emphasis on undergraduate research, Murphy Library becomes even more critical to support students’ course-related research and projects. Graduate students use library resources intensively for research and thesis work. Recognizing the need for increased funding for library access to scholarly information content in electronic format, the Student Senate approved a resolution at the May 7, 2008, meeting that supported such an increase. Despite showing its age, Murphy Library remains a highly popular space for individual study, group study, research, and collaborative learning. Additionally, students consistently request increases in the library’s daily hours of operation to maximize their access to these popular spaces and use the many resources housed within. 

Murphy Library is extremely grateful for the Academic Initiatives Differential Allocation Committee’s (AIDAC) past financial support over the past 15 years. What has AIDAC meant for the library, simply put – a great deal!  Student funding allows the library to provide access to highly utilized electronic scholarly information resources and the ability to add extra opening and late-night hours beyond the normal operating budget which has not experienced any base increases in over 22 years.  

You can learn more about AIDAC’s funding support of Murphy Library by visiting our Student-Funded Library Resources and Services Library Guide.