Murphy Library News

Faculty and Staff - as you put those final touches on your syllabi, courses, and other start-of-semester materials, remember that Murphy Library has a number of resources to help you get off to a great start. Many of these can be found at the library's page for faculty and staff: http://libguides.uwlax.edu/faculty-staff. Some of the resources most used by faculty and staff at the start of the semester include: LIBRARY INSTRUCTION

Over the course of the academic year Murphy Library typically offers more than 350 information literacy instruction sessions, reaching more than 7,000 UWL students annually. Through the cooperative efforts of the instructor and the librarian, sessions are designed to meet the needs of each instructor’s course. Librarians can introduce students to library resources, information technology, research strategies, and information literacy skills such as critical thinking.

Faculty and instructional staff at UW-La Crosse may arrange course-related instruction on research strategies and information sources related to a particular discipline or class project. Sessions must be scheduled at least one week in advance. The classroom instructor must be present. To arrange for course related library instruction, please use the Request a Library Instruction Session web form or email instruction staff at libinstruct@uwlax.edu.

COURSE RESERVES

Murphy Library Access Services maintains an active reserve collection of course materials such as circulating (Murphy Library-owned) and personal copies of books and DVDs and limited numbers of textbook rental items. Interlibrary loan and items owned by other libraries are not eligible for placement on reserve. You may request that the library purchase items for reserve by completing the materials request form. Please direct students to the Access Services circulation desk located on the main floor of the library to check out materials on reserve.

Access Services staff will adjust the type, scope, and number of items made available with consideration of copyright law and fair use guidelines (see our Copyright Guide).

To request that items be placed on reserve, please fill out the form located here.

REFERENCE SERVICES

Reference librarians can help you find the quality information you need, and save you time in the process. Please let students know about these services as well.

Librarians maintain particular expertise in the 200+ databases, 860+ e-books, and 5,300+ books that make up the Murphy Library reference collection. We are happy to assist you in taking advantage of these powerful, time-saving tools. We can also teach you how to find relevant and appropriate information resources and use the services of the entire library.

There are several ways to contact a reference librarian at Murphy Library.

Staffed during Reference Desk Hours:

Reference Desk

Staffed by librarians and student assistants 51 hours per week during fall and spring semesters, including some weekend and evening hours. No appointment necessary. Come visit us!

Chat with Librarian

Contact the reference desk online by clicking on the link on the Murphy Library web site. The Chat service is also offered within many reference databases. Look for the Chat box called Ask a Librarian.

Ask-A-Librarian

Ask us a question via web form or email, and we'll email you back from the reference desk.

Telephone

Contact the reference desk by phone at 608.785.8508 or toll-free at 800-881-4454.

Individual Research Consultations

Murphy Library offers individual appointments with reference librarians for more extensive and personalized research assistance. To request a consultation, pleas fill out the Individual Research Consultation web form.

TOURS

Walk-in tours of the Murphy Library Resource Center are offered during the first week of classes in the fall term. To arrange for a tour at another time, please email our instruction staff at libinstruct@uwlax.edu, we would love to show you around!

Remember the staff of Murphy Library is always available to help, just ask a librarian!