Welcome to Mann Library!
The spring 2024 semester is underway, and I am taking this opportunity to welcome you to Mann Library. As many of you know, the former director, Sara E. Wright, left Cornell in December to move to an administrative position within the University of Georgia Libraries. For now, I am serving as acting director of Mann, which allows me the opportunity and privilege to work with the outstanding group of librarians and staff who ensure that Mann is a success.
Please remember to visit the Cornell University Library website, including a centralized “How Can the Library Help you?” page, and links to some of our more popular conveniences, including how to request items (including through BorrowDirect, InterLibrary Loan, or our ScanIt service) or assistance with off-campus access of materials with help from Access Anywhere.
As always, we have a variety of highly valuable physical spaces – as well as support opportunities – available to our community. Our Bissett Collaboration Space and Dean’s Room area on the 2nd floor remain available as quiet study or shared spaces, as do the comfortable seating options and study spaces on the other side of our second floor (closer to the stacks). The CALS Zone experienced a successful launch last year and offers opportunities for closer connection with members of the CALS community. The CALS Zone offers daily drop-in advising, group workspaces, and free coffee and snacks while continuing to serve as a 24-hour study space. You can always find additional information regarding our reservable spaces such as our Individual Study Rooms, Graduate Study Rooms, Group Study Rooms, Conference/Meeting Rooms, and Computer Classrooms, on our Find a Space page.
A new service launched last fall is Cornell Self-Checkout, a convenient way for patrons to check out books and other materials from Cornell University Library. The Cornell Self-Checkout app is free to download for Apple or Android devices, and is also available at kiosks in most of the participating libraries so that patrons can choose the checkout option that works best for them. Another popular service, poster & specialty printing, is available to patrons until an hour before the Mann Library closes in the evening. Please bring your print job on a USB drive to our Help Desk and our staff will be able to assist you. Courses and departments may also register a poster session using the Group Session Registration Form.
Our information literacy program helps students to become critical thinkers and responsible digital citizens that know how to find, evaluate, and utilize credible and relevant information. Don’t hesitate to reach out to request course instruction for your class. Our librarians are also here to assist with your research, and we encourage you to take advantage of our numerous research support services – Evidence Synthesis, GIS, and Data Management.
Our virtual exhibits are a great way to explore important topics in science and history – you can learn a little more about the Library’s outstanding special collections while also getting to know the important work that Cornell faculty and students are doing in a wide variety of fields. On our events page, you can also find a listing of book talks by the faculty of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Human Ecology. Please stay tuned to our Upcoming Events page for more information about planned events.
We invite you to explore, discover new things, develop new ideas, and bring learning to life… and to even come in and get your coffee/tea or sandwich fix at the Mann Café!
If you have suggestions for us, please be sure to get in touch. Furthermore, if you have research questions, don’t hesitate to find us via any of our Ask a Librarian options, including via our highly staffed chat service.
With best wishes,
Bonna
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Bonna J. Boettcher
Associate University Librarian for Public Services
Acting Director, Albert R. Mann Library & Science Cluster Libraries
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York 14853 USA
607-254-6218
