Exploring the University of Alabama Library Resources

The University of Alabama (UA) Libraries offer a comprehensive suite of resources designed to support students, faculty, and staff in their academic and research endeavors. From traditional print collections to cutting-edge technology and online accessibility, the university libraries are committed to providing access to information and fostering a dynamic learning environment.

Accessing Information: A Multifaceted Approach

UA Libraries provide access to over 5 million print and electronic resources. This vast collection includes 277,000 full-text print and electronic journals accessible through approximately 600 databases, encompassing indexes, abstracts, and other reference materials. Students and faculty can also discover scholarly holdings in these databases through Google Scholar.

Beyond its extensive collections, the University Libraries participates in borrowing programs with national, regional, and state libraries, such as RapidILL, ALLIES, and Project Reshare, further expanding the resources available through interlibrary loan. This collaborative approach ensures that students and faculty have access to a wealth of information beyond the university's immediate holdings.

For students pursuing coursework remotely, librarians are available as primary points of contact for subject-specific assistance, ensuring equitable access to resources regardless of location.

The Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) provides all students, teachers and residents of the State of Alabama with 24/7 online access to premier library and information resources free of charge. AVL provides ad-free, safe, and reliable information from databases for all Alabama residents 24/7 free of charge. AVL is funded by the state's Education Trust Fund.

Thanks to the University of Alabama librarians and their partnership with Lean Library, students now have the ability to easily find study materials wherever and whenever they decide to study. Lean Library Access is a browser extension that works with the University of Alabama libraries' systems to give seamless access to library resources when working away from campus. Once downloaded, users are alerted via a pop-up message if they are looking for something that the University of Alabama can give them access to, including articles, eBooks, and other subscriptions.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: Spaces for Learning and Collaboration

University Libraries maintains four state-of-the-art facilities that provide space for collaborative and independent study, with group study spaces available for reservation. Each library serves a unique purpose.

Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library: Located on the central campus quadrangle, Gorgas Library houses central library administrative functions and has holdings for education, humanities, social sciences, and government information. Special features in Gorgas Library include areas with designated noise levels, from silent to quiet talking; several types of seating and study accommodations, including group study rooms for collaborative assignments; event spaces for hosting campus groups for various educational and social purposes; designated study carrels for graduate students and faculty; printers; and 3D printers. Located on the first level, the Gorgas Library Learning Commons provides students with computers equipped with the latest productivity and academic software used in classrooms and laboratories. The area provides space for students to study together for group projects or individually. In addition, students, faculty, and staff can ask for personal research assistance at the Information Desk located in the Commons area. The Circulation Desk, located on the second level, serves as the central check-out area for media production equipment, laptops, headphones, books, and other materials. Items requested through InterLibrary Loan can also be picked up at the Circulation Desk. Gorgas Library is open 24 hours a day seven days a week during study and finals weeks at the end of each semester.
Angelo Bruno Business Library: Bruno Library serves the business information needs of the campus, and in particular the students, faculty, and staff of the Culverhouse College of Business, and the Manderson Graduate School of Business. The library also houses the college's Sloan Y. Bashinsky Sr. Computer Center. Bruno Library's resources comprise a wide variety of scholarly and professional business databases, along with a significant collection of print and electronic books and journals. Library faculty and staff offer users specialized information assistance and services, including individual and class instruction in library research and effective use of library databases. In the latest renovations, completed in 2022, Bruno Library added 20+ team workrooms, which have updated furniture and large monitors for collaborative study, and a mother’s nursing room, as well. University Libraries also added a large stock exchange ticker in the Bloomberg terminal area, which replicates for students what they would see on Wall Street. Special features include areas with designated noise levels, from silent to quiet talking; several types of seating and study accommodations, including group study rooms for collaborative assignments; and designated study space for graduate students. A wide range of software is offered on computers throughout the facility and on circulating laptops.
Eric and Sara Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering: Rodgers Library serves students, faculty, and staff in the sciences, engineering, and nursing programs.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'
William Stanley Hoole Special Collections Library: Special Collections is comprised of the W.S. Hoole Library and the A.S. Williams Collection, history with a focus on Southern history and culture and Alabama history and culture. Hoole has more than 40,000 volumes of rare books and incunabula, serials, and newspapers; approximately 4,000 manuscript collections; more than 2,000 maps, including several hundred from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries; over 500,000 photographic images; and nearly a million University records. The Williams Collection includes an additional 20,000 volumes, hundreds of maps, and an extensive collection of manuscripts and historical documents pertaining to the history and culture of the South, particularly the Civil War. University Libraries Special Collections Library also provides online access to large parts of the University’s rare and unique maps, manuscripts, documents, and archival collections through its digital collections.

University Libraries facilities offer extended hours during fall, spring and summer sessions. The Writing Center and the Center for Academic Success routinely use University Libraries facilities to offer tutoring services during each semester.

Technology at Your Fingertips

The University Libraries offers a short-term rental program that allows students to checkout Dell Laptops and MacBooks for 72-hours on a first-come, first served basis. Other equipment like calculators, headphones, phone chargers, computer accessories, and audio-visual equipment can be checked out for 4 hours for library use only, unless otherwise noted. UA offers computer labs for student use and while some are open to all students, others are restricted to students of that respective college. Students can borrow up to $2000 with a rate as low as 8% APR* when purchasing a new Apple laptop from the University SupeStore.

In addition to the large number of desktop computers available to students throughout the library, laptops are available to be checked out for up to 72 hours (students are allowed to take these laptops outside of the physical library). A wide range of software is offered on computers throughout the facility and on circulating laptops.

University Libraries supports on-site color and black and white printing, photocopying, and scanning as well as 3D printing production support in all branch libraries. University Libraries also provides spaces for students and faculty to produce audio projects, such as voiceovers, podcasts and simple keyboard and acoustic instrumental recordings.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library houses the Sanford Media Center, located on the second floor. The Sanford Media Center was created to provide University of Alabama students with a leading-edge facility for digital media production. With the Center's computers, audio-visual hardware, software, and instruction, users have the experience of becoming producers and authors of multimedia content.

Additional Library Services

Other library services include The Alabama Digital Humanities Center which provides project management and digital development services to faculty and students who would like to undertake a digital humanities project. The University Libraries also unveiled its Institutional Repository in 2017, which provides faculty and students with an open access platform and stable URLs for their works.

Memberships and Affiliations

University Libraries maintains memberships in the Association of Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, HathiTrust, the Coalition for Networked Information, centerNet, LYRASIS, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries, the Digital Preservation Network, and the Alabama Digital Preservation Network.

School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS)

The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) educates socially responsible information and arts professionals prepared to empower diverse populations in a multitude of contexts, communities, and cultures. SLIS has a unique interdisciplinary personality that blends the arts, humanities, and social sciences. At SLIS, we’re developing creative and critical thinkers to lead the way in the fields of library and information.

Programs Offered

Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS): The MLIS degree at The University of Alabama is the only ALA-accredited program in the state of Alabama.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Book Arts: In 1985, the school began to offer a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree through its Book Arts program, including specializations in printing and binding. The Book Arts Program is dedicated to the art, craft, and history of the handmade book. The Book Arts minor is designed for students in any discipline who have an interest in visual culture, graphic arts, craft and material studies. The curriculum offers an overview of book arts as a basis for the integration of material book studies into outside areas of study and/or creative specializations. As a complement to a primary field of study, the minor provides the background necessary to begin to produce and critically examine creative book work within a historical context and contemporary framework.
Doctoral Program (PhD): The PhD program was first offered by the school in 1988. The C&IS doctoral program prepares students for top positions as researchers, scholars and thought leaders in academia, industry or government. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, PhD candidates work alongside world leaders in the field to develop research proficiency, breadth and a depth of knowledge. The doctoral program is available in both main campus and online distance modes. The main campus mode allows for specific concentrations. Online PhD students can pursue a focused area of study in library and information studies in either school library media or social justice. For the online degree, courses may be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous courses from CIS as well as the College of Education. The following are two SLIS-specific doctoral concentrations available for main campus students. Additional information about the specific courses in each concentration can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
Bachelor of Science in Informatics: The Bachelor of Science in Informatics is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to design and implement information-based solutions to real-world challenges from a human-centered perspective. Students learn to apply cutting edge technology to create practical, innovative solutions that improve lives. The program empowers students to become socially responsible innovators with technical skills to transform information into tangible benefits for individuals, organizations, and society. As information technologies such as social media, artificial intelligence (AI), and interactive media have moved from the periphery to center stage, there is increased need for professionals who can accurately assess their impact and realize their potential to enhance our lives, work and well-being. The informatics minor approaches information technology from a user-centered perspective with a focus on the analysis and design of socio-technical systems that store, process, and communicate information. The Informatics minor is designed for students who are interested in assessing information technology impacts and designing information structures and technology to solve complex social and organizational problems.

SLIS Financial Aid

SLIS is committed to helping students finance their graduate education. SLIS offers a number of graduate assistantships and scholarships and provide you with the resources necessary to pursue funding from outside sources. SLIS offers scholarships throughout the academic year. All SLIS graduate students (main campus and online) have access to the SLIS Sandoval Student Research and Travel Support Fund. The Graduate School provides supplemental funding for graduate research and conference/exhibit/performance participation, to advance students’ research and professional goals. Each application is routed through the department, which must provide matching funds. Students initiate their requests for both the Sandoval Student Research and Travel Support Fund and Graduate School funding by logging into the UA Grad Student Portal. After the student submits the request, it is routed through the student’s advisor and SLIS Director, for confirmation of matching Sandoval Funds. The request is then routed to the Graduate School for final approval of Graduate School conference and research funding. Typically SLIS awards up to $500 to students presenting research at a domestic conference and up to $800 to students presenting research as an international conference. The UA Graduate School will match up to these amounts in each of these categories. The UA Graduate School offers competitive fellowships designed for exceptional applicants and current students. Nominees must be admitted main campus students. All admitted and current main campus MLIS and MFA students are considered for graduate school fellowships.

SLIS Student Organizations

AMIA Student Chapter: The AMIA Student Chapter at the University of Alabama was founded in 2020 to provide students in the Audiovisual Preservation & Archiving track and students with an interest in audiovisual archiving, a forum for socialization, networking, and professional development.
ASIS&T Student Chapter: ASIS&T is the University of Alabama Student Chapter of the national organization. ASIS&T is committed to educating its members about diverse streams of knowledge that fall both within and outside the spectrum of libraries.
American Library Association (ALA) Student Chapter: The University of Alabama Student Chapter of the American Library Association gives students at SLIS the opportunity to participate in varied projects from organization of the winter book drive to participation at local elementary schools. Regular social events are planned for members to socialize and develop networking skills.
SLIS Student Advisory Council (SAC): The SLIS Student Advisory Council (SAC) is a student governing body that serves as liaison between the SLIS student body and the SLIS Director.

SLIS Alumni Network

Cultivating relationships with our alumni is critical to the success of the School of Library and Information Studies. The Friends of UA SLIS Network is a community of alumni, current students, faculty, and supporters of UA SLIS. The Friends of UA SLIS network is for all alumni, and here at UA SLIS we aim to create ways for alumni to stay connected with each other and stay up to date on all the things SLIS. And remember, whether near or far, you’re always a part of the SLIS family.

SLIS Listservs

SLIS-J: The SLIS-J listserv is a space for job postings. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of SLIS use SLIS-J to post job announcements and share information about open professional positions and internships. SLIS-J is not a list for general conversation.
SLIS-L: The SLIS-L listserv is a vital part of the SLIS experience. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of SLIS use SLIS-L to communicate with one another. Class cancellations, building closures, social and educational events, and other information of community interest is shared via SLIS-L.
SLIS-S: SLIS-S is a read only listserv reserved for current SLIS students, and is used by SLIS faculty and staff to send important announcements. For general discussion, please subscribe to SLIS-L.

SLIS History

The history of the School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) began in 1929 when the university instituted an academic program in school librarianship within the College of Education. In the 1960s, leaders of the Alabama Library Association sought to establish in Tuscaloosa a general purpose graduate school of library service. An Alabama Senate joint resolution in 1969 authorized the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama to establish the Graduate School of Library Service. Students were first accepted in 1970. SLIS’s founding dean, Dr. James D. Ramer, was appointed in 1971 to develop the curriculum, recruit faculty and students, and plan for the school’s quarters. In the intervening years, the school pursued a mission to provide students with skills and knowledge required to meet the information needs of a diverse population. It also grew substantially. In 1988, faculty member Dr. Philip M. Turner was selected to serve as the school’s second dean. Early in 1997, SLIS programs were merged into the renamed College of Communication & Information Sciences. At this point, Dr. In 2003, Dr. Elizabeth Aversa was named director of the school, and by 2005, under her leadership, SLIS launched a fully online, synchronous distance education MLIS program, one of the forerunners in the nation. The first class had forty-three students, representing Alabama and 14 other states. From 2011 to 2013, Dr. Heidi Julien served as director, and under her leadership, the SLIS research mission was re-charged and several international initiatives were developed. By 2013, the program made another jump in the US News rankings, up to 18th position. Under the leadership of Dr. Ann Prentice (2014-2017), SLIS continued its academic tradition of preparing the next generation of library and information professionals and formalized its archival program with a specialization and certificate. Later in August 2017, Dr. Jim Elmborg became SLIS’s director and lead the school in starting the SLIS EBSCO Scholars Program in audio-visual preservation and archiving. In Fall 2021, Dr. Jamie Campbell Naidoo took over leadership of SLIS where the program continues to prepare professionals specializing in the creation and stewardship of traditional and emergent forms of information, while also demonstrating a strong commitment to intellectual freedom and access to all.

tags: #university #of #alabama #library #resources