Choose a Subject Area
Find Articles in Periodicals (e.g. Newspapers, Magazines, Journals)
To find articles IN periodicals, you must use print indices in
the Park Library or online databases to which the Libraries buy access
(see the list on the Find an Article page). For additional assistance, please visit the Reference Desk.
Read Library Call Numbers
The library uses Library of Congress call numbers to classify
most materials; however, Dewey and Local Call Numbers are used for
certain collections, including the Betty A. McDonald Children's
Collection. To learn more about “reading” call numbers, visit the
Reference Desk.
Find Periodicals
To find specific periodicals (once you have citations for
articles not available online), you must use the Journal Title search
function in the Centra catalog. For additional assistance, please visit the Reference Desk.
Find Materials on "Reserve"
Search for materials on Reserve by Course (subject and course number - e.g. ENG 201) or Instructor (e.g. last name, first name).
Access Electronic Books
The library has access to thousands of electronic books, records and links for which are found in the Centra catalog.
If you do not know the name of a particular e-book, you can do a
keyword search by topic and then limit results to Electronic under
“Material Type.” Seek additional assistance at the Reference Desk.
Find Multimedia Materials (e.g. videos, CDs, etc.)
The CMU Libraries own thousands of audio and video recordings. If you know the title you are looking for, search by Title in the Centra catalog. However, if you have only a topic in mind, do a Keyword search in the Centra catalog and limit your results by either Material
Type (e.g. DVD/Video, etc.) or Location (i.e. Media Services for films
or Music Resource Center for music recordings).
Find Books for Pleasure Reading
The Browsing Collection located in the Mary Dow Reading Room (3rd
floor of the University Library) offers hundreds of titles for pleasure
reading. Though searchable in the Centra catalog,
feel free to simply browse the books; they are shelved alphabetically
by author’s last name. The checkout period for Browsing Collection
materials is four weeks.
Find U.S. Government Documents
The library has thousands of United States government documents
in print, electronic, and micro formats. Find these items in the Centra catalog via keyword searches and limiting your results by Location (Government Documents). For more information, see the Government Information Research Guide or visit the Reference Desk.
Find Dissertations and Theses
The library has (print and microform) copies of dissertations and
theses written by CMU students. Records for these items are found by
Title or Author in the Centra catalog.
If you wish to search for dissertations and theses on a particular
topic, do a keyword search and then limit the search results to
Manuscript under “Material Type.” Seek additional assistance at the
Reference Desk.
Find Maps and Atlases
The CMU Libraries own thousands of maps and atlases. One way to search for them in the Centra catalog is to include “atlas” in a keyword search for your country or limit your search to Map, under Material Type.
Use Microfilm/Microfiche
The library has thousands of microforms (i.e. microfiche,
microfilm, and microcard). Records for these items are searchable in the Centra catalog, and most of
these materials are housed on the third floor. You can print paper
copies of microforms, so seek assistance for using these items at the
Book Checkout Desk.
Search an Article Database
To locate journal articles on a topic, you will need to search one or more of
the databases listed on the Databases by Subject page. If you know of a specific database you want to search, go to our Databases A-Z listing. For further research assistance, Ask a Librarian.
Check Out a Book
Books, films, and many government documents may be checked out of
the library at the Book Checkout Desk or via the self-checkout machines
on the first and fourth floors. If you are a CMU student, staff, or
faculty member, your campus ID is your library card. If you are a
community member, obtain a borrower’s card at the Book Checkout Desk.
Cancel a Request for a Book
If you wish to cancel a request for a book, phone the Book Checkout Desk at (989) 774-3114.
Obtain Books from Other Libraries via MeLCat
The Michigan e-Library Catalog (MeLCat)
is a database that includes the item records for more than 400
libraries around Michigan. If we do not have an available copy of a book
you need, CMU on-campus students, staff, faculty, and alumni can
request the book for free through MeLCat and receive it in 3-5 business
days. For more information, visit the Reference Desk or Documents on
Demand (both located on the second floor of the University Library).
Use Library of Congress Subject Headings
Materials in the CMU Libraries are arranged by subject and are
assigned Library of Congress (LC) Subject Headings, which aid in
precision searching. To learn more about searching for materials using
LC Subject Headings,visit the Reference Desk.
Find Directions to the Park Library
The Park Library is located on 250 East Preston Street in the
heart of the CMU campus in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan (zip code 48859). Find
directions to Central Michigan University and a printable campus map here.
Arrange for a Proctored Test
If you are taking an online class and need to have a test
proctored, please call (800) 688-4268 or (989) 774-1129 or complete the
online form at http://global.cmich.edu/cmuonline/proctoring/exam-appointment.aspx. An appointment is required for the proctoring to take place. All test proctoring is done in Room 321 of the Park Library.
Fall 2012 hours are:
- Wednesdays and Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Fridays: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Visit the Writing Center (in the Library)
For information on the CMU Writing Center and it’s satellite location on the fourth floor of the Park Library, see its homepage.
Location of Live Ethernet Ports
Green dots mark the locations of live Ethernet ports at study tables and carrels.
Have a Thesis/Dissertation Bound
If you are a CMU student, please contact the College of Graduate
Studies to inquire about having your thesis or dissertation bound and
added to the Libraries’ collection:
College of Graduate Studies
100 Foust Hall
Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
Email: grad@cmich.edu
Phone: 989-774-GRAD (989-774-4723)
Fax: 989-774-1857
Send a Fax in the Library
Patrons may send local faxes for free at the Help Desk (Park
101). Only CMU students can send long-distance faxes; costs will be
charged to their student accounts.