Five Ways CMU Libraries Can Support Faculty This Fall

As you prepare for the fall semester, CMU Libraries can be a valuable partner in your teaching and research. Librarians offer expertise, resources, and services that can save time, reduce costs, and support student success. Here are five ways the library can help you in and beyond the classroom.    

1. Start by getting to know your subject librarian. They can help you find course materials, answer copyright questions, provide data for accreditation, assist with data management plans for research projects, and deliver library research instruction customized to your students’ needs. 
2. Help make college more affordable for your students by using Course Reserves and affordable course materials. Through the Textbooks in the Library program, students can access required print or electronic textbooks at no additional cost. Librarians can also help you find Open Access articles or Open Educational Resources (OER) to create Blackboard reading lists that reduce or eliminate textbook expenses.  
3. Information literacy is an essential skill for student success. Librarians can support your courses through in-class information literacy instruction, self-paced online tutorials, and course-specific research guides designed for your assignments and learning outcomes. These resources help students become more confident and effective researchers. 
4. Research projects often involve multiple campus resources. The Researcher Journey Map connects you with support available through the University Libraries, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and the Office of Information Technology. Whether you’re developing a grant proposal, managing research data, or sharing research results, the map can help you find the right support at each stage of the research process. 
5. If you’re preparing a manuscript for publication, take advantage of the library’s transformative agreements with publishers. These agreements can reduce or eliminate article processing charges, making it easier and more affordable to publish your research in Open Access and hybrid journals, while increasing the visibility and impact of your research.

The CMU Libraries are a campus partner dedicated to supporting teaching, learning, and research. Connect with your subject librarian early this semester to discover how they can help you achieve your goals.