Welcome!
Welcome from UMN Libraries Staff!
Watch this video to meet some of the staff from the UMN Libraries who are here to help you succeed!
Whether you are on campus or at home, you can use the University Libraries. Connect virtually with our librarians and staff, access millions of books and articles, or use library services and resources online.
Why use the Libraries and the website?
It is good for you and your GPA! We studied it and found that students who use the U Libraries and the library website have higher average GPAs and are more likely to graduate in fours years than students who do not use the library.
Many people think of a "library" as a book warehouse. There are 12 campus library locations with more than books, they also have study spaces fitting every study need and preference.
When we say "library" we mean more than just the books and buildings. A library is:
- The website with search tools, online books, journals, streaming videos, and tutorials.
- The librarians, staff, and students ready to help you get started with papers and projects, find and use information, and help you get the grades you want.
Library Website Tour
Access millions of resources through the University Libraries without ever leaving your home! Log into Lib.umn.edu with your UMN ID and password to explore online books and articles, watch a streaming documentary, or read an online newspaper. Help is available virtually by consultation or 24/7 chat! Learn more here:
Check out these library tips from a fellow student!
Want a virtual library tour this summer?
The library is sometimes referred to as the heart of campus. We certainly feel this way. This summer, since you are unable to visit one of our 12 libraries, we want to give you an opportunity to have a virtual visit. Getting an online tour of the Libraries website is a great step to take this summer! You can get an idea of the resources available to you and we will highlight our online tools for new students.
Fill out this short form to request a tour
We will contact you within two days to schedule and/or confirm the tour. The tour will take about 20-30 minutes. We will send a Zoom or other meeting link at least one hour ahead of the scheduled tour. If you have any questions contact Kate Peterson (katep@umn.edu)
Free Libraries Zoom Backgrounds
-
Libraries Zoom BackgroundsLooking for professional or fun backgrounds for your zoom? Explore and download images from the University of Minnesota Libraries for free. We have photos of our buildings and images from library collections and historic materials from the Archives and Special Collections!
Check the Libraries for your textbooks and readings
In partnership with the University of Minnesota Bookstores, the University Libraries provides you with a list of free U of M required books. All books are free for U of MN - Twin Cities’ students to read online and to checkout. Books are in PDF format are available for download in their entirety.
Check the list to see if the library already has books for your course online, for free.
Interlibrary Loan and Digital Delivery
Whether you are living abroad while attending the University of Minnesota online or unable to find the material you need within our collection, we will do our best to work with you to find what you need. An easy way to request materials is our Interlibrary Loan and Digital Delivery Service. Fill out the form linked below with the information about the source you are looking for and let us find it for free!
-
InterLibrary Loan & Digital DeliveryInterlibrary Loan (ILL) & Digital Delivery offers access to materials needed for courses and research, including materials not currently available within the University of Minnesota Libraries, AND digital copies of articles and book chapters from our print and microform collections. Free for currently-affiliated University students, faculty, and staff.
Streaming music and video you can access now
You can stream and watch documentaries and many arts focused films including Opera and Theater performances. We have a bunch of online streaming music collections -- primarily these are for the music majors but we all get to take advantage of them.
Keep in mind that any of these sources evens songs can also be used as part of a future research paper or project!
-
Music Online: Smithsonian Global SoundStream music online including the collections of the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings with music from cultures all over the world.
-
Kanopy StreamingVideo streaming platform hosting a wide variety of award-winning films and documentaries.
-
Filmakers Library OnlineProvides award-winning documentaries on race and gender studies, human rights, globalization and global studies, multiculturalism, international relations, criminal justice, the environment, bioethics, health, political science and current events, psychology, arts, literature, and more.
-
Naxos Music LibraryOnline collection of recorded music in streaming audio -- primarily classical music, plus smaller collections of world music and jazz.
-
Naxos Music Library JazzSubscription has been cancelled effective April 30, 2021. A comprehensive online collection of Jazz music for streaming. Limited to 10 simultaneous users.
-
Swank Digital Campus Titles (Streaming videos)Swank Digital Campus provides institutional streaming access to feature films from most of the major studios (excluding FOX).
-
UMN Libraries Streaming Video Collections GuideThis is a guide of university licensed and freely available quality digital (mostly streaming) video online resources.
Newspapers & magazines you can read online now
Never get stopped by a message asking you to "buy" and article (sometimes that is called a pay wall)! The University Libraries has millions of online journals, magazine and newspapers -- both subscriptions to "browse" or read a current issue and tools to help you search.
Use the links below to reach current articles. Remember this is just a sample of what you have access to -- try the search box on our homepage lib.umn.edu to find more.
-
New York Times (1980 - present)Full-text coverage of the New York Times to present day. Does not include photos, illustrations, ads, wire stories, or other page-image level access. (via ProQuest Newsstream)
-
Minneapolis Star Tribune (1986 - present)Full-text articles from the recent issues of the Star Tribune. Does not include wire stories, ads, photos, or other non-textual article content from the paper. (via ProQuest Newsstream)
-
Wall Street Journal (WSJ.COM)Access to the articles, photographs, charts, podcasts, videos and other premium content available on the WSJ.COM website back to the 2010.
-
St. Paul Pioneer Press (2010 - 2019)Full digital replicas of recent content from the newspaper (including full-text articles, photos, illustrations, ads, etc.). Does not include the most recent 3 months of content. (via ProQuest Recent Newspapers)
-
Washington Post (1987 - present)Full-text articles from the recent issues of the Post, as well as some online content (blogs, videos) from more recent years. Does not include wire stories, ads, photos or other image-based content from the paper. (via ProQuest Newsstream)
-
Vogue Archive, 1892-currentA complete searchable archive of American Vogue, from the first issue in 1892 to the current month, reproduced in high-resolution color page images.
-
The Minnesota DailyThe student newspaper for the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is available online (2002-present). Older issues are available on microfilm in the Newspaper Room, Basement, Wilson Library. Articles from 1900-1977 can be identified using the digitized Minnesota Daily index on the UDC. There is also a full web archive of the MN Daily site, including video content, available from April 2019 to present.
-
The AtlanticThe Atlantic Monthly is a literary and cultural commentary magazine.
-
The New YorkerThe New Yorker is an American weekly magazine featuring journalism, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons, and poetry.
Prepare and plan for your classes
Getting ready for your semester ahead can mean many things - like figuring out your textbooks and readings, to making a fancy bullet journal sort of schedule in a calendar to using an app to figure out everything you need to get done.
Your classes at the University will require more time than your school in the past -- now is a good time to level up those skills around "time management."
Here is a great tutorial from Effective U to help you do that.
-
Citation Managers (e.g. Zotero, Mendeley, etc.)Citation managers are software packages used to create personalized databases of citation information and notes. They allow you to: import and organize citation information from article indexes and other sources save links to pdfs and other documents, and in some cases save the document itself format citations for your papers and bibliographies using APA and many other styles include your own notes.
-
Assignment CalculatorEnter in the due date for your research project (paper, speech, lab report) and get a suggested time-line for completing with links to the resources to help you succeed in each step. Optional: sign up for reminder via text.
-
Effective ULearn new ways to manage your time, manage stress, take better notes, and prepare for tests.
-
LinkedIn LearningLinkedIn Learning has high-quality, online training videos for all skill levels including software, technologies (3D Animation, Audio, Photography), design, and business topics. There is an iPhone/iPad app, too.
Effective U (Online Tutorials)
As a student, you've probably realized you need new skills for dealing with the many tasks filling up your semester: studying, classes, work, finances, family, friends. Explore these free online tutorials to learn new ways to manage your time, manage stress, take better notes, and prepare for tests.
Library services for undergraduates
-
Library Services for UndergraduatesExplore a variety of services for Undergraduates from study spaces to finding sources to tools to coffee shops.
Get help from the U Libraries - Online!
-
Peer Research ConsultantsMake an online 30 minute appointment for one-on-one peer assistance with your research. Get help with researching your topic, finding sources, citing sources and more. Peer Research Consultants can also help you get started with faculty-sponsored research.
-
Chat 24/7 Online with the LibrariesAsk us anything! Chat with a librarian, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with any research or library questions.
-
Schedule an online consultation with the LibrariesSchedule an online consultations for personalized research support primarily for University of Minnesota faculty, instructors, graduate and undergraduate students and staff.
Academic Success Centers & SMART Learning Commons (peer tutoring and more)
-
Academic Success Centers
The Academic success centers website provides you with a variety of services to help you succeed at the University. Find peer tutors for your courses in SMART and MCAE, academic skills coaching, or get support with writing, research, or media projects.
These services are designed to:
- Boost your confidence as a student
- Help you stay on top of your coursework
- Offer a deeper understanding of the content
- Connect you to peers who know tips and tricks for various courses
- Teach you effective study strategies and time management
Student Jobs
The Libraries employ hundreds of student employees for many different tasks. COVID-19 has reduced our staff for now, but you can view current openings on our student jobs page and stay updated by signing up for our email list.
