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Giving Opportunities

University Libraries

The University Libraries—comprised of the W. E. B. Du Bois Library, the Science and Engineering Library, and the Wadsworth Library on the Mount Ida campus—serve as indispensable partners in teaching, learning, research, and service.

Building a great library system for a great research university

The University Libraries drive research and student success by connecting people to primary resources, historical information and artifacts, and other useful data. They also advance open scholarship and social justice by making UMass Amherst research and holdings widely available to students, faculty, researchers, and community members.

Our Vision

Strengthening UMass Amherst’s capacity to propel knowledge production and preservation.

The University Libraries seek to increase the resources and expertise necessary to uncover diverse perspectives, train students in fundamental research skills, assist faculty with research and curriculum development, and engage the surrounding communities in the life of the university.

2,150
consultations and instruction sessions
43,000+
accessible, no-cost course materials provided by Reserves Services
4.8M
print and digital items available

Initiatives for the University Libraries

Reimagined library spaces

To foster an environment that maximizes student success and belonging, the university seeks to refresh existing spaces and create a state-of-the-art Data Visualization Lab and new community engagement spaces.

Improved access for students

The libraries aim to expand collaboration with UMass faculty to create and share Open Educational Resources (OERs) and provide funding for a laptop loan program, which would enable better student access to critical tools.

Dean of University Libraries Endowment

This endowment provides the funding needed for effective stewardship of library resources and visionary leadership of library centers, programs, and initiatives.

Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center Endowment

Additional resources for this existing endowment will allow the libraries to arrange more opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers to engage with these unique and distinctive collections.

Dean’s Excellence Fund

This fund cultivates a vibrant and inclusive library community by providing funding for emerging needs, events and exhibits, opportunities for professional development, and core priorities.

“The Libraries are places that foster habits of inquiry and learning, where curiosity is rewarded with insight and perspective. Imagine how we can manifest greater depth of engagement through the expansion of open scholarship and the preservation of special and archival collections that stand the test of time.”

Nandita S. Mani
Dean of University Libraries
Nandita Mani

Campaign Progress: $10,500,000

Goal: $14M
75%
Archival photo from the Paul Reingold Collection of children in costumes
Spotlight on The Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) Research Center

Stoking the conversation between the past and the present

SCUA collects, curates, and makes available a range of cultural heritage materials that exemplify the university’s longstanding commitment to equity and social justice. The SCUA research center hosted an event during Homecoming Weekend to celebrate the recently acquired Paul D. Rheingold Historic Photograph Collection.

Ready to learn more about the University Libraries?