Park Library powers business student success

The Charles V. Park Library at Central Michigan University offers far more than a quiet place to study. For students in the College of Business Administration, the library serves as a comprehensive research hub equipped with specialized resources, expert guidance and cutting-edge tools designed to enhance both academic performance and professional development. 

Beyond books: A research powerhouse

"Students should know that the library is so much more than just a place to check out books or to study,” said Jennifer Rundels, CMU's business librarian and liaison to the College of Business Administration. While the four-floor facility does provide excellent study spaces with comfortable furniture, group study rooms and individual quiet areas, its true value lies in the extensive digital resources and specialized services available to students. 

Students can access a wealth of authoritative, credible sources, including more than 1.2 million e-books, over 635,000 print books, 179,000 journal subscriptions, and 255 databases. These resources are available to all CMU students, faculty, and staff as part of their university access. Many of these resources are accessible online from anywhere in the world, making research convenient and flexible for today's students. 

Specialized business resources

For business students, several databases stand out as particularly valuable: 

• Mergent Market Atlas – Deep company intelligence 
  Access overviews, news, financials, SEC filings, sustainability reports, and detailed analyses on ratios, business segments, earnings, profitability, and more. Includes multi-year data and downloadable reports for 10,000+ national and international public companies. 

•  IBISWorld – Industry analysis and strategy 
  Explore in-depth overviews of 700+ U.S. industries, with performance data, market segmentation, competitive forces, consumer drivers, and regulatory insights. Especially valuable for entrepreneurship students and New Venture Challenge participants.  

• Statista – Visual data and market insights 
  Tap into data from 170 industries and 150+ countries. Easily incorporate packaged statistics, charts, and reports into presentations and research. Includes market forecasts, expert KPIs, and daily data on trending topics.  

• Mintel Academic – Consumer and market research 
  Browse comprehensive market reports by category, region, trends, and demographics. Features expert analysis, consumer insights, innovation strategies, and interactive databooks with survey data and demographic details. 

These resources offer significant advantages over general internet searches, providing verified, authoritative data that enhances the quality and credibility of student work. Students can access these databases from the Databases A-Z list on the CMU Libraries' website. 

Research guides: Navigating information efficiently

To help students navigate the vast array of available resources, subject librarians have created research guides. These guides are organized by subject and by course, highlighting the most relevant databases and resources for students’ particular research needs. For example, if a student is doing consumer research, they can go to the consumer research guide to search the best resources for finding consumer attitudes and spending habits. 

The library offers dozens of business-specific research guides, covering topics such as accounting, consumer and industry research, entrepreneurship, management, and marketing. Each business-related guide includes contact information for CMU’s business librarian, Jennifer Rundels, as well as a link for scheduling research consultations, and recommended databases and resources. Not sure where to begin? Rundels recommends starting with the Key Resources for Business Students guide.  

Personalized research support

One of the most beneficial services are personalized research consultations. Students can meet with Rundels one-on-one or in groups to discuss specific assignments and receive customized research guidance and expert advice. 

"The best part of my job is helping students. I really enjoy working with students to help them with their research," she said. "I work with students one-on-one or in groups if they are working on a group project, which is quite common with business classes." 

During these consultations, Rundels talks with students about their assignment and demonstrates how to access and search the best databases for their research needs. She often provides links to relevant sources to help students get started. This personalized approach saves students time while improving the quality of their research. 

Skill development centers 

The library houses two specialized centers particularly beneficial for business students: 

• The Presentation Skills Center allows students to practice presentations and receive feedback. The center can record presentations, enabling students to review and critique their own performance, a valuable skill for future business professionals. 

• The Writing Center provides support for all written assignments, from traditional papers to business reports and proposals. Professional staff offer expert feedback to help students improve their writing across all formats. 

Access beyond campus boundaries

When students need resources not available in CMU's collection, the Documents on Demand service searches libraries worldwide to obtain articles, book chapters or books at no cost to students. Through the Rapid Interlibrary Loan system, materials can sometimes be delivered within hours. 

"Every student has a Documents on Demand account, whether they know it or not," said Rundels. This service ensures that students never have to settle for second-choice sources simply because materials aren't immediately available. 

Technology and study spaces 

The library offers equipment checkout services, including laptops, headphones, microphones and various technical accessories. Study room reservations can be made online, with many rooms featuring wall-mounted monitors for group presentations and collaborative work. 

Additionally, the library maintains Bloomberg terminals on the second floor and in the 24/7 study space, 1 North, providing business students with access to professional-grade financial data and analysis tools. 

Professional development and lifelong learning

The library's impact extends beyond academic assignments. "If you're good at research for your classes, that will carry over into your working life and your careers," she said. The skills students develop using library resources, from conducting thorough market research to delivering polished presentations, directly translate to professional success. 

For students seeking formal instruction in research methods, the library offers LIB 197, a one-credit information literacy course available both in person and online. This course teaches effective research techniques and information evaluation skills applicable across all academic disciplines. 

Getting connected 

Students can engage with library services through multiple channels: 

• Schedule consultations through the online appointment system 

• Use the 24/7 chat service for immediate questions 

• Email or text questions to library staff 

• Visit the Library Services Desk on the second floor of Park Library 

The library also maintains an active events calendar, featuring art exhibits, guest speakers and cultural programming that enriches the campus experience beyond academic requirements. 

Making the investment count

Given the substantial financial investment the university makes in database subscriptions, students are encouraged to take full advantage of these resources while enrolled at CMU. 

"Take advantage of everything the library offers because it's going to make your life easier and your coursework and projects will be better," she said. 

As CMU business students navigate their academic journey and prepare for professional careers, the Charles V. Park Library stands ready as a comprehensive support system, offering not just information, but the expertise and guidance to transform that information into academic and professional success. 

For more information about library services or to schedule a research consultation, visit the CMU Libraries website or contact Jennifer Rundels, Business Librarian/Associate Professor, through the library's online appointment system: https://cmich.libcal.com/appointments/Jennifer