News for Student-Parents – Spring ’19

The Libraries wants to make sure you, our awesome student-parent, get info that might make your academic life easier this semester.

A new space in McWherter Library just for you: Kids welcome!

Thanks to the findings of our Fall student-parent focus groups, McWherter Library bought new kid-sized furniture and toys to keep kids entertained while student-parents study, print, or research at the library. The space will be located in the 1st floor creatorspace, the sandbox., an enclosed room next to the Check-Out Desk. The creatorspace is open the same hours of the library. Please don’t leave your children by themselves in the space! Don’t forget to check out our collection of kid’s books on the 3rd floor, too!

Baby steps towards making McWherter Library kid-friendly!

Text-to-audio: Listen to your readings

Listen to your readings on your commute, at soccer practice, or while you’re cooking dinner. Find options to download .mp3 directly from library databases, like so:

If you don’t see that option, download the PDF and use a free software converter, like Zamzar, to convert the PDF to a downloadable .mp3 file.

Tutorials on choosing + using library databases

Using library resources can be confusing – we get it. The Libraries’ online tutorials walk you through how to develop a topic, choose databases, and learn more about citations. Watch this 3-minute video on how to find relevant databases from the Memphis homepage:

Personal research help in-person and online with a UofM librarian

Research is hard! You don’t have to research alone. Get one-on-one research help with a UofM librarian (we’re real!) in-person or online from 8 am to 8 pm most weekdays, and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays. Get research help today. Check out our research guides, a place to help you get started with your research at any time.

Writing is also hard. McWherter Library houses the Center for Writing and Communication (CWC). Writing tutors will help in-person or online with everything from brainstorming, to final drafts, to a job application cover letter.

The library doesn’t have it? Use interlibrary loan (ILL).

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a free service for you to use. If the library doesn’t have a journal article, book, DVD, or other materials (we can’t loan eBooks yet), you can still access it. Journal articles are delivered as a link to your @memphis email in days. Books and other physical materials are delivered to your closest UofM library if you’re an on-campus student. If you’re an eCampus student, you can have materials mailed to your home.
Learn more about ILL.

Events at the Libraries

Health Sciences Library, Music Library, and McWherter Library all have great programs, from library database workshops to Adobe Illustrator training sessions! Check out our list of events!

The Libraries have been working to hire a Lambuth campus librarian for a while; thank you for your patience while we find someone to assist you in Jackson, TN! UofM librarians in Memphis will help you with your research help online.

 

If you have more suggestions for how to make the University Libraries a more family-friendly space, please email Rachel Scott and Brannen Varner, librarians at the University of Memphis.