Around the Libraries

Team FSH edged out Teams HEMD and Valve to clinch the UMD Libraries’ Gemstone Research Award at the finalists presentations on March 26, where each team presented their research to a panel of judges. UMD Libraries awarded a first place prize of $2,000 and a $1,000 prize to both runners up. The Gemstone Research Award recognizes student teams that demonstrate excellence in the integration of principles of information literacy into their work and who conduct research with integrity and diligence.

Between now and June, the Libraries will be performing system maintenance on the underlying infrastructure that powers our applications and services. This work is critical to the modernization of the Libraries’ digital infrastructure, resulting in improved security and reliability of library services.During this time, the following library applications and services will be unavailable for specified periods of time: interlibrary loan, course reserves, streaming media services, the Libraries’ website, DRUM, digital collections, and off-campus access to online resources.

Scopus AI is now fully integrated into the Scopus interface, and accessible via the Libraries’ Database Finder tool.Scopus AI uses generative AI to respond to natural language queries to help researchers navigate the vast amount of information available in Scopus by generating easy-to-understand summaries and concept maps.

The University of Maryland has named Holly Mercer dean of University Libraries, effective July 1. As dean, Mercer will lead the most extensive university library system in the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore area. This encompasses seven university libraries that serve as the academic keystone supporting the university's teaching, learning and research goals.

Marcus Ortiz and Alona Norwood, the two inaugural Fisher Family Library Faculty Fellows for Inclusive Excellence, arrived at UMD Libraries this fall to get started on their two-year appointments, and they have hit the ground running.

A new program established by the University of Maryland Libraries, Truth, Reconciliation, and Understanding in the University Archives (TRU-UA), will facilitate an in-depth exploration of critical issues associated with the histories and information included in the University Archives. This campus-wide educational and outreach program will provide rich opportunities for research and scholarship as well as special events, exhibitions, and publications to engage members of the UMD community and beyond.

Every year, the University of Maryland Libraries grants up to four $1,000 awards to undergraduate students who make impressive use of library materials in their research. The Undergraduate Research Awards were created to promote the value and use of library services and information resources in original research projects.

Finals season can be overwhelming for anyone. You’ve got a lot on your plate, and we’re here to help you succeed. We've created this guide with resources and tips from the Libraries and Learning Success at the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center (TLTC), as well as, events and resources from across campus to help you get through finals. You've got this.Library Extended Hours for Finals

To help you celebrate Native and Indigenous Heritage Month this year, we’ve put together a list of 10 books by native and indigenous authors available to borrow through UMD Libraries.

Every October, the university celebrates Pride and LGBTQ+ History Month, with this year’s theme, “Queering Creation Brick by Brick.” UMD Libraries is committed to protecting and increasing representation of Queer Literature in our collections — in the 2022-2023 alone we spent $3,000+ to purchase over 170 Transgender and Bisexual Fiction and Poetry LAMBDA award winning books, and this category has been added to our automatic purchasing plan.